Koło Basin Installation in Warsaw: Swapping the Old One Cleanly

Replacing an old basin with a Koło

Koło is a ceramics brand with a long history in Poland. It makes wall-hung, furniture, countertop and pedestal basins, so finding something close to the old one is rarely hard. The spacing of the fixing bolts can differ though, and then the old holes in the wall don’t line up.

Drilling new holes right next to the old ones is a gamble: the wall there is already weakened and the plug won’t grip. The fitter can shift the basin a few centimetres, or fill the old holes and wait for the filler to set. Good to know before the visit, because the second option makes the job longer.

The other surprise is the angle valves. Old ones often won’t close fully, or start leaking once they’re turned. Replacing a valve while the basin is off is sensible, it just needs to be in the job description.

On a pedestal basin the pedestal is not a support. The basin hangs on its bolts, and the pedestal only hides the trap and pipes. If the weight ends up on the pedestal, something cracks the first time someone leans on it.

If you’re switching from a wall-hung basin to one on a vanity unit, the cabinet has to be assembled too and the waste often needs shortening or extending. That’s no longer a like-for-like swap, so mention it in the order from the start.

The request, step by stepWashbasin replacement: what the request looks like in the appFirst the service and a photo: just show the old washbasin in the bathroom. A price range appears right away. All that’s left is the address and the day. Handymen see the job and each decides whether to take it. Offers with prices land in the app. You pick the one that suits you.Service and a photoAddress and a day that suits youOffers from handymen, you chooseStep 1 of 5BathroomWashbasin replacement250–600 zł · per jobEstimate≈ 250–600 złPhotos: show what needs doingNext Step 2 of 5Where?Warsaw, WolaWhen suits you?WeekdayWeekendAny dayDescriptionOld washbasin to remove and new one to fitSend request 3 offersWashbasin replacementWarsaw, WolaSentKBKrzysztof B.310 złI’ll remove the old fittings on site.ChooseMDMarcin D.320 złHappy to use your materials.ChooseOSOleh S.450 złI’ll check the wall is dry on site.ChoosePost a request

Rather hand the job over? More here: plumber in Warsaw.

Typical slip-ups

• The new basin screwed into crumbling old holes. A month later it wobbles.
• The trap from the old basin reused on the new one. The washers are hard and it drips.
• No silicone at the wall, so water soaks into the grout under the basin.
• Bolts overtightened and the ceramic cracks at the fixing.

Before the fitter turns up

• Measure the bolt spacing on the old basin and compare it with the spec for the new model.
• Check that the angle valves close.
• Buy a new trap, and a new tap if you need one.
• Empty the cabinet and shelves under the basin.

The water must be off before anyone disconnects the old basin. If the angle valves don’t hold, the flat’s main valve gets closed.

Booking in the app

1. Describe the swap in the app and add photos of the old basin, the valves and the new model, so a tradesperson can size up the job before coming out.
2. Fitters in Warsaw send bids with their own price and date. You compare prices, ratings and reviews and pick one.
3. Phone number and address are shared after you choose. You pay the fitter directly and he issues the invoice.

Plugs and bolts are usually included. The trap, valves, silicone, removing the old ceramic and carrying materials in are paid separately. The fitter answers for his own work and redoes it if it leaks, but not for old pipes in the wall or crumbling plaster.