Wobbly toilet fix in Exeter
Professional wobbly toilet fix services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Toilet rocking when you sit on it? I'll secure it properly - tighten bolts, add shims if needed, replace seal if damaged. Solid and stable again.
Stop That Unsettling Rock
Every time you sit down, your toilet rocks slightly.
It's unnerving. You're never quite sure if it's going to stay put. And you know deep down it's probably not good - that seal underneath is being stressed every single time.
The longer you leave it, the worse it gets. Movement damages the seal. Damaged seal means leaks. Leaks mean rot and staining you can't see until it's a much bigger problem.
💡 Pro tip: A toilet should be rock-solid, with no movement at all. Any wobble means something's wrong - fixing it early prevents expensive damage later.
What A Wobbly Toilet Causes
| ✅ Secure Toilet | ❌ Wobbly Toilet |
|---|---|
| Seal intact, no leaks | Seal damaged from constant movement |
| Confident when you sit down | Unnerving every time you use it |
| Bolts tight, nothing moving | Gets worse over time |
| Floor stays dry | Hidden leaks causing rot below |
Common Causes & Fixes
🔧 Why Toilets Wobble
| Cause | The Fix |
|---|---|
| Loose fixing bolts | Tighten bolts securely |
| Uneven floor | Shim toilet to level, then secure |
| Compressed wax seal | Replace seal, refit toilet |
| Tile/floor damage underneath | May need floor repair before securing |
📦 What I'll Do
- Assess why it's wobbling
- Fix it properly (tighten, shim, or reseal)
- Test for movement and leaks
- Clean up any mess
Pricing
| Fix Required | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Tighten bolts, maybe shim | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Lift and reseal | 45-60 mins | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. I'll know which it needs once I look.
Why Fix It Now?
⚠️ Leaks - damaged seal lets waste water escape (you often don't see it)
⚠️ Rot - leaks cause floor damage over time (expensive fix later)
⚠️ Smell - broken seal can let sewer gases escape
✅ Quick fix now - prevents expensive damage later
Why Choose Us for Wobbly toilet fix in Exeter?
Toilet rock-solid again
Prevent seal leaks
Proper fix, not bodge job
Peace of mind restored
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose The Wobble
I'll check why it's moving - loose bolts, uneven floor, or damaged seal. Quick assessment tells me what's needed.
Step 2: Fix It Properly
Tighten bolts if that's all it needs. Shim and secure if floor's uneven. Lift, reseal, and refit if seal's damaged.
Step 3: Test & Check
Rock the toilet to make sure there's zero movement. Check for leaks. Clean up. Solid again.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're handy and want to try fixing it yourself:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanner or socket set
- Possibly plastic shims
- Maybe new wax ring seal (if needed)
- Spirit level
- Bucket and old towels
🔍 Diagnosing the problem
- Check if there are plastic caps on the base covering bolts
- Pop caps off with screwdriver
- Try tightening the nuts - often that's all it needs
- Rock toilet - if still wobbly, there's more to it
🔧 Simple fix - tightening
- Remove decorative caps
- Tighten nuts on fixing bolts (don't overtighten - can crack toilet base)
- Replace caps
- Test for movement
🛠️ If tightening doesn't work
- Floor might be uneven - you'll need plastic shims
- Slide shims under toilet where gaps are
- Tighten bolts again
- Trim shims flush
- Seal with caulk around base
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Over-tightening bolts and cracking the toilet base (it's porcelain!)
- Leaving it wobbling "because I tightened the bolts" - if it still moves, there's another issue
- Not checking for leaks after fixing
- Using wooden shims instead of plastic (wood rots when wet)
💡 Pro trick: Before you start, turn off water and flush to empty cistern. Makes the toilet lighter if you need to shim it. Also, take photos of how everything's connected before touching anything.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Uneven floor? Common in older Exeter properties. Shimming sorts it - I'll level the toilet properly and secure it.
Really old toilet? If fixing bolts are corroded or broken, I might need to drill them out and fit new ones. I'll let you know if that's the case.
Floor damage underneath? If the wobble has caused rot or tile damage, we might need to address that first. I'll assess and advise.
Bathroom being done soon anyway? If you're planning a full bathroom refit in the next few months, might be worth just living with it. But if it's years away, fix it now - the damage gets worse the longer you leave it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my toilet wobbling?
Usually the fixing bolts have loosened over time, or the floor underneath isn't perfectly level. Sometimes the wax seal has compressed. It gets worse the longer you leave it - every time you sit down, it rocks a bit more.
Is a wobbly toilet dangerous?
Not immediately dangerous, but it'll damage the seal between toilet and waste pipe, which leads to leaks you might not see until there's rot or staining below. Plus it's unnerving sitting on something that rocks about. Worth fixing before it gets worse.
How do you fix a wobbly toilet?
Depends what's causing it. Might just need the fixing bolts tightening. Might need shims underneath to level it. Sometimes the seal needs replacing if it's been rocking for a while. I'll assess and fix it properly.
Will you need to take the toilet off?
Hopefully not - most wobbles can be fixed by tightening or shimming. But if the seal is damaged from the movement, yes, I'll need to lift it, replace the seal, and refit it. I'll know once I look at it.
How long does it take?
Simple tighten-up - 20 minutes. Full lift-and-reseal - closer to an hour. I'll give you a better idea once I see what's needed.
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