Problematic leaking toilet

cherry76

I have been having problems with a leaking toilet since I had it installed 4 months ago. The plumber has done everything possible and it still leaks, in the endhe gave up. Since I have Homecare 400 I have called the engineer to have a look. He is also puzzled, he has replaced all the parts inside and still there is a persistent leak. He told me the cistern is not faulty and as a last resort he has sealed behind the cistern with sealant and still there is a tiny leak. At that stage, the poor guy does not know what to do, he is a registered plumber as he works for British Gas, so he is no cow boy. He said I could ask for a second opinion but he guarantees me there is nothing much can be done to resolve this issue. I have just had a look behind the cistern and there is a little gap, I think that's where water seeps, you can hardly see anything but a tiny drop. I am just wondering whether I should put more sealant at the back of the cistern myself or call him to do it. My husband told me where will the water go, I guess back in the pan. I am also concerned of the damage done to the cistern as when he took it part, it was quite rusty for such a short period.

He said in his career, he has never encountered such a problematic cistern. Personally, we think it might be due to the design and the positioning of the WC suite as we have tried to position the new suite in the same position to avoid any damage done to the wall. I would appreciate some advice on this, it looks as if I have to live with it unless I replaced the whole unit again. Thanks

maninthestreet

Assuming the cistern isnt cracked, it can only leak from where pipes enter or exit the cistern. Are you sure it's not condensation???

BobProperty

I'm tending to agree with maninthestreet, are you certain this isn't condensation?
What product and model is this? Is it "close coupled", "low level" or what?

cherry76 wrote: »

.... he is a registered plumber as he works for British Gas, so he is no cow boy.....

This is a pet hate of mine, there is no such thing as a "registered plumber" in terms of some national list. (There's a number of organisations you can pay to join which give you a nice title, but that's not the same.) I don't know where this myth came from (I suspect sloppy journalism). I have no "plumbing" qualifications (I have other "building" related qualifications) and I'm not a cowboy either.

cherry76

Positive the cistern is not cracked and it is not condensation. I have put some blue loo in the cistern and the droplets came out blue. Annoying as it is I guess, I will have to live with it or risk calling another plumber for a second opinion and end up worse than before. By registered plumber, I mean since he works for British Gas, he should know what he is doing as being a reputable company they would not employ anybody. Thanks

cherry76

Forgot to mention, it is a close couple. Shanks Armitage Sandringham,

BobProperty

cherry76 wrote: »

Forgot to mention, it is a close couple. Shanks Armitage Sandringham,

Did you buy it from Wickes?

Where are the drips coming from, as identified by the "blue loo"? Or maybe I should say where are they falling?

maninthestreet

That 'little gap' you refer to - is that a gap between the back of the cistern and the wall it's attached to? Where is the water inlet pipe in relation to this leak? Where is the overflow exit pipe in relation to this leak?

silver-birch

Is the water dripping off the bottom of the coupling bolts? Had a similar problem with our close coupled loo after having to replace the syphon mechanism. Water was seeping down the thread of the coupling bolts. Smeared some sealant down the thread of the screw and a blob under the nylon washer before reassembly and problem solved!

:j

Wendy

cherry76

BobProperty wrote: »

Did you buy it from Wickes?

Where are the drips coming from, as identified by the "blue loo"? Or maybe I should say where are they falling?

Bought it from homesupply. The tiny drips are coming from the gap between the cistern and the toilet bowl, we think, we cannot see any leak when the toilet is flushed but 15 mins later a small drop usually appears. It usually starts by forming a tiny drop and then eventually dripple all along the back of the toilet (middle part) on the big pan connector or on the floor. I can catch the drips if I put layers of toilet rolls on the pan connector, it forms like bend. Not sure how to explain but hope I will be understood. I always had this problem right at the beginning so I guess, it must have something to do with the position of the new WC suite. I know the plumber was not very happy because he could not fix it right against the wall. The gap between the cistern and the pan has been sealed with sealant and still the tiny leak persists. Do not know what else I can do guys, I can call the dynorod engineer again and request a different one for a second opinion but hubby told him to leave it as I am getting obsessed with it. Thanks

on_a_money_mission

If the cistern's porcelain might there not be a tiny crack in it? We had a similar problem with a loo - you couldn't see the crack but the water was seeping out anyway, only in tiny amounts, but enough to cause damage.

Ivor_Headache

If it's taking about 15 minutes for the drip to start, it sounds as though the 'close coupling' is not completely tight. They can be an absolute pain to get sealed. If the two screws, that have the washers on, coming down from the cystern to the pan have been overtightened, it could be that there is a hairline crack in the cystern, that would account for the 'blue' showing up. Another problem that I encountered when I installed mine was that the suite I purchased was a 'foriegn' one. The inlet connector ( the plastic bit that comes through the bottom of the cystern to the water inlet pipe was ever so slightly different to the uk fittings, and did cause a slight leak, I ended up buying an inlet valve and couplings from B&Q but the leak from that would depend on where your cystern inlet is. Another possibilty is that if your cystern is ceramic, and your fill is directly from the mains, unless the correct washer has been put within the inlet valve to reduce the flow of water, this can and does cause some condensation on the cystern. This is usually at the bottom and round the sides, but if was this, you would not get the 'blue' in the leak. It does sound as though its the coupling.