When it counts as an emergency
- Water leaking onto the floor around the base
- A cistern that overflows or will not stop filling
- A toilet that will not flush when it is the only one in the home
- Water dripping from the pipe under the cistern
Toilet Repair: what the job involves
A toilet that keeps running can waste a lot of water every day. Other common faults include a flush that will not work, a cistern that fills slowly and a leak at the base. Most of these come down to one worn part, such as a fill valve, flush valve or seal. As a result, many toilet repairs are quick jobs once the plumber knows the cause.
A local plumber starts by lifting the cistern lid and watching a full flush. That shows whether the problem sits in the fill valve, the flush valve or the pipework. If water is leaking at the base, they check the seal between the pan and the soil pipe. They then explain the fix, and you can ask for the price before they start.
Toilet repair is not the same as clearing a blocked toilet. If your toilet fills up and will not drain, our blocked toilet service is the right one. However, if it drains fine but runs, leaks or will not flush, this page is for you. Some homes also have a macerator toilet, which a plumber can check as well.
What to do while you wait
- Turn off the isolation valve on the pipe to the cistern, often a small screw you turn with a coin
- If there is no isolation valve, turn off the stop tap
- Mop up leaks so the floor does not stay wet
- Avoid flushing until the plumber has checked it
How the request works
- 1
Send your request
Use the form with your postcode and a short note about the problem. Photos help if you can add them later. - 2
A local engineer contacts you
We pass your request to an engineer who covers your area. They call or email you to agree a time. - 3
Find the faulty part
The plumber watches a flush and checks the valves and seals. They then tell you which part has failed. - 4
Repair and test
They fit the new part and flush several times to check it. Finally, they make sure nothing leaks at the base.
Typical toilet repair costs
UK price guides put a new toilet fill valve at around £80 to £120 fitted (Master of Maintenance and Kesselmann). A flush valve or syphon costs about the same. A full new toilet costs much more, because you pay for the toilet as well as the fitting. These are typical figures, while your plumber quotes for your toilet.
Toilet Repair: frequently asked questions
Why does my toilet keep running?
A running toilet usually has a worn fill valve or a leaking flush valve. As a result, water keeps trickling into the pan after the cistern fills. A plumber can replace the faulty part, which usually takes little time.
How much does toilet repair cost?
UK price guides put a new fill valve at around £80 to £120 fitted (Master of Maintenance and Kesselmann). Other parts, such as a flush valve or seal, cost about the same. These are typical figures, while your plumber quotes for your toilet.
Is a blocked toilet the same job as toilet repair?
No. A blocked toilet needs clearing, which our blocked toilet service covers. Toilet repair fixes faulty parts, such as valves, seals, handles and leaks at the base.
How do I request help?
Fill in the short form on any page with your postcode and a note about the problem. We pass your request to a local engineer, who contacts you to agree a time. Because we have no phone line, the form is the fastest way to reach us.
Can I send a request at night or at the weekend?
Yes, the form stays open 24/7, including bank holidays. Mark your request as urgent if water is still escaping. The engineer then knows to treat it as an emergency.
Is the quote free?
Yes, the quote request is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. You can ask the engineer to talk you through the likely cost before they start. However, if the job changes once they can see it, they tell you before doing more.
Further reading
If your toilet will not drain, see our blocked toilet service instead. Our guide to the early signs of a blocked drain helps you tell a toilet fault from a drain problem. For a leak you cannot find, try our leak detection page.
Helpful guides
Drain Maintenance
The Real Warning Signs of a Blocked Drain
Blocked drains rarely happen overnight. Here are the early warning signs to watch for, backed by Water UK's national data, and a clear answer on who is responsible for the repair. Emergency ServicesEmergency Drain Problems: What to Do Before the Engineer Arrives
When a drain emergency hits, the first few minutes matter. Here's exactly what to do, what to avoid, and who to call across Wolverhampton and the wider West Midlands.Related services
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