Toilet not flushing/filling properly!

jamesgomm1234

Hey Guys

I have a fairly modern toilet, which has started to go wrong. It does not flush properly in that when I push the handle there doesn't seem to be any resistance or power (it seems very weak) and no matter how many times I push the handle, the toilet doesn't flush. The cistern has water in though.

After repeated pushing the handle as above, more water comes into the cistern. I then have to leave it to fill and then after 5 mins if I go back it will flush normally, usually.

This doesn't happen all the time, and recently when it does, I've taken to lifting the lid off the cistern, and pushing the ball float down so more water comes into the cistern, when its full it then flushes properly.

So it seems possibly not enough water is getting in, can I adjust the ball float to allow more in as I shouldn't be having to push it down?!

Any suggestions gratefully received!

jamesg

macman

Doesn't sounds like a flush problem, as once the cistern is full, it flushes OK? Is the ballc*ck sticking in the up position? If so you need to free it up (good squirt of WD40) so it will drop as the water levels falls. Is it catching on anything else as it moves? If it is moving freely, but cutting off before the cistern is full enough to flush, then you need to adjust the level.

jamesgomm1234

I'll try the WD40, idea. Not sure it is sticking. but I'll give it a go. It just seems erratic. Fiddled with the water level too. Been reading and wonder if its the flap valve and which I've heard can wear out? as even with it almost full it does not flush everytime...

macman

Yes, the flap valve could be damaged, but that has nothing to do with the filling issue. get the ballc*ck working properly and then retest.
Is there water getting into it?

84Zane

sounds like the cistern isn't filling enough for the flush mechenism to work correctly - most modern float arms have a adjusting screw/bolt on them to adjust the hieght the float closes the inlet valve, try adjusting it so the float is in a higher position when it switches the valve off.
If you have a float with a metal arm then try bending the arm up in smalll increments, which will produce the same results.
Also check the float isn't being obstructed by the wall of the cistern, preventing the full movement.

jamesgomm1234

OK so tried the WD40. Tried the water levels. Water is going in, fine and going in to a higher level than before. But there just is no power whenever I push the handle it just pushes a little water into the toilet bowl, its not flushing. Even if I try pushing more water into the cistern, now there's no power in the flush. The cistern fills up properly. Just when I push the handle nothing if anything now is happening... Flap valve problem??

macman

Yes, that's the next area to check.