Installation and plumbing should nearly always be left to a fully qualified professional. However, if you see yourself as adequate at DIY, you can save yourself a reasonable sum of money as well as time by fitting your own toilet. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions for fitting a close coupled toilet - the most common toilet design is in the UK.


1. Preparation

With any plumbing task, good planning is particularly important as incorrectly fitted components can result in damaging your home so it’s important that, before you begin to install your toilet, you are fully prepared for the task.

  • Disconnect your water supply from the mains. This should be done before you do any DIY plumbing work
  • Read the instruction booklet that came with your toilet. This will give you an overview of the work required, the components involved and how they work together
  • Check the packaging against the contents within the instructions to ensure all components required for the assembly have been supplied


2. Assembling the cistern

Begin by assembling the flush mechanism, according to the manufacturer supplied instructions. Take care to use the rubber sealing rings provided with your toilet.

Insert the flush mechanism into the cistern and slide the threaded section through the hole in the base. Ensure the washer is attached firmly to the mechanism and positioned inside the cistern. Screw on the back nut but do not over tighten.

Insert the push button through the hole in the cistern lid and secure into place using the nut provided.

Place the assembled inlet valve into the cistern. Double check that the rubber washer is properly placed on the assembly inside the cistern, then secure it into its position using the nut supplied. Again, don’t tighten it too much.


3. Attaching the cistern to the pan

  • Place the rubber gasket into the flush entrance of the pan (see image)

rubber gasket

  • When you’re putting the cistern onto the pan, ensure the long bolts fit properly into the holes located on the pan. Check the flush mechanism to ensure the threaded section goes through the rubber gasket found on the flush entrance.
  • Fit the large fixing bolts into the holes in the cistern using both the rubber and the long metal washers that should have been supplied.
  • Connect the washers to the connecting bolts and tighten it up. Remember not to over tighten.


4. Attaching the toilet

  • Double check that there are no cables or pipes that travel under the fixing points, then position the toilet in place. After that, slide the pan outlet into the flexible connector attached to the soil pipe.
  • Drill your holes where the fixing points are marked. If it’s a hard floor surface then you’ll need to use a hammer action drill.
  • Push the plastic protective inserts into the holes found in the base of the pan, then fit the screws through and into the floor.
  • If your cistern includes holes in the back, then fix them to the wall by drilling and plugging.
  • Connect the supply pipe used for the water feed using a pushfit tap connector (see image)

supply pipe

  • Construct your toilet seat using the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Connect the toilet seat to the toilet pan by fixing through the holes located at the back using the correct screws. Adjust it so that is sits perfectly.