Keep stock of the parts that wear out, break or go missing during installation: flush valves, fill valves, buttons, seals, seat covers, hinges and fixing kits. The ceramic itself rarely fails after installation, but fittings do.
Order spare parts with your containers, for each model you sell. Parts often differ by model and supplier, and waiting months for a seal from India costs you a customer.
Parts that wear out
- Flush valves, which control how much water each flush uses.
- Fill valves, which refill the cistern and stop at the right level.
- Flush buttons and push rods, which break with heavy use.
- Seals and washers between the cistern and bowl, and at the valve.
- Seat covers and hinges, especially soft-close dampers.
Parts that go missing
- Floor fixing kits: bolts, screws, caps and plugs.
- Wall fixing kits for wall-hung WCs and basins.
- Cistern-to-bowl bolts and rubber washers on two-piece WCs.
- Connector pipes and outlet seals.
- Installation templates and leaflets.
Match parts to each model
Most Indian sanitaryware factories buy fittings from outside suppliers. The same factory may use different valves on different models or change supplier between orders. Our guide on sanitaryware fittings, cisterns and valves explains how fittings are sourced.
Ask the factory for a parts list for each model, with the supplier's part numbers. Ask to be told before any fitting changes. Keep a sample set of each part so you can check what arrives.
Seat covers
Seat covers are a common source of complaints. Soft-close mechanisms wear, hinges crack and colours may not match the ceramic. Keep spare seats for each model. Our article on soft-close seat covers covers what to specify.
How much to keep
There is no fixed ratio. Base your stock on how many units you sell, how long your warranty lasts and how quickly you can reorder. Start with a modest stock of each wear part and adjust as you learn which parts customers ask for.
Ordering parts with each container is usually easier than shipping them separately. Add them to the packing list as a separate line, so customs and your warehouse can find them.
Keep good records
Label each spare part with the model it fits and the container it arrived in. When a factory changes a valve or seat supplier, the new part may look similar but not fit an older WC. A simple spreadsheet of model, part, supplier part number and stock on hand saves hours when a customer calls.
Ask your installers which parts they replace most often. Their answers tell you what to reorder and which fittings to upgrade in the next specification.
Spare parts and complaints
Many sanitaryware complaints are really fitting complaints: a running cistern, a weak flush or a broken button. Quick spare parts turn a complaint into a minor fix. Our article on sanitaryware importer complaints lists the most common ones.
Next step
We get parts lists from factories, check fittings at inspection and help you plan spare stock. To discuss your range, book a free sourcing review.