Back-to-wall Units
Back-to-wall Units | Toilet Upgrades and Replacements | Plumbing | Guild
Whether you’re refreshing a tired cloakroom or transforming a family bathroom in Guild, HEP’s expert plumbers bring sleek back-to-wall solutions that marry style with substance. Our team removes bulky pipework from view, installs concealed cisterns, and optimises every inch of floor space for a cleaner, contemporary finish. From water-saving flush plates to soft-close seats, we handle every detail with precision so you can enjoy a quieter, easier-to-clean loo that’s built to last.
Ready to banish dated ceramics and nagging leaks? HEP delivers fast, fuss-free toilet upgrades and replacements, disposing of your old suite responsibly and commissioning the new one the very same day. Book your visit now and discover how effortless a modern bathroom makeover can be—backed by transparent pricing, tidy workmanship, and a workmanship guarantee that keeps you covered long after we’ve packed away the toolbox.
FAQs
What exactly is a back-to-wall toilet and how is it different from a close-coupled or wall-hung unit?
A back-to-wall (BTW) toilet is a pan that sits flush against the bathroom wall while its cistern is concealed either inside the wall cavity or in a purpose-built furniture unit. Only the pan and the flush plate are visible. In a close-coupled toilet, the cistern is exposed and fixed directly to the back of the pan, whereas a wall-hung toilet has the pan suspended off the floor on a steel frame inside the wall. BTW toilets give you the streamlined look of a wall-hung model without the need to hang the pan, and they typically require less structural work than a wall-hung installation.
Will a back-to-wall replacement fit my existing bathroom plumbing in Guild?
In most homes we can adapt the soil pipe, water feed and venting to accept a back-to-wall unit. The pan connects to the waste outlet with a flexible or adjustable connector, so the outlet can usually be moved by up to 200 mm without opening the floor. For supply lines, we tee into the existing cold-water feed and run it behind the wall or furniture unit to the concealed cistern. At survey we check pan height, waste direction (P-trap or S-trap) and wall depth. If the wall is a thin stud, we install a furniture unit to house the cistern instead of boxing into masonry. Therefore in more than 90 % of Guild properties we can fit a BTW toilet without major re-routing of pipes.
Do I have to open up the wall or floor to install the concealed cistern?
Not necessarily. There are two common approaches: 1. Stud wall boxing: We build a shallow timber or metal stud frame in front of the existing wall, run the water and flush pipework inside it and clad the frame with moisture-resistant plasterboard. This keeps building work minimal and provides access for future maintenance via the flush plate opening. 2. Furniture unit: In very tight spaces or solid masonry walls, we use a prefabricated back-to-wall WC unit (also called a toilet furniture pack) that houses the cistern and pipework. The unit simply slides into place against the wall and can be removed for service. Either method avoids lifting floorboards or excavating concrete unless your waste pipe is damaged or needs repositioning.
How long will a typical back-to-wall toilet upgrade take and will I be left without a working toilet?
A straight swap from a close-coupled toilet to a back-to-wall model normally takes 4-6 hours, including removal, pipe alterations, cistern installation, first-fix plumbing and re-tiling a small section. If we have to build a full stud wall, allow one full day plus drying time for tiling or painting. We try to keep at least one WC operational in the property at all times. Most customers are without a toilet for no more than 2-3 hours while we disconnect the old pan and pressure-test the new pipework. If you have only one bathroom, we can supply a temporary chemical toilet on request.
Are back-to-wall toilets more water-efficient and easy to maintain?
Yes. Modern concealed cisterns are supplied as dual-flush units, usually set at 3/6 L or 4.5/3 L compared with 9 L single flush on older toilets, saving up to 50 % water per flush. Because the cistern is hidden, limescale and condensation marks are no longer visible. Access for maintenance is via the flush plate aperture, which is large enough to remove inner parts like the flush valve and fill valve without dismantling the wall. BTW pans have fewer dust traps than close-coupled models, making them easier to wipe clean.
What does a back-to-wall toilet upgrade cost in Guild and what affects the price?
For labour and standard materials (pan, dual-flush concealed cistern, flush plate and basic boxing) expect £480–£650 including VAT. Add £150–£300 for a branded ceramic furniture unit or high-spec flush plate, and £80–£120 m² if you need new wall or floor tiles. Factors that increase cost are: relocating the soil pipe more than 200 mm, repairing rotten floor joists, moving electrical points or installing a designer frame. We give fixed quotes after a free home survey so you know the full price before work starts.