Leak caused by cistern casting flaw - possible to fix?

angelavdavis

Hi,

Over a year ago, I had a new WC installed. The WC was a low flush (not close coupling) and was not cheap! It is an armitage shanks and I specifically avoided diy shed models as I had read the problems with poor construction and went for one from a local plumbing suppliers. The plumber installed it. We had to call him back once because it leaked and he "fixed" it.

At the weekend, I noticed it was leaking again from where the flush pipe comes out of the bottom of the cistern where the siphon is. When I went to remove the chrome cup covering the connection, it was full of water. On sliding this down to reveal the connection, it is clear that the fix was actually to cover the whole thing with plumbers mait!

So, I have taken the whole thing apart, cleaned all the plumbers mait off everything and investigated further.

On removing the siphon to see the inside of the cistern, there is a fault with the porcelain - a raised circular shaped ridge which is clearly preventing the large rubber washer from sealing completely against the porcelain.

Now, clearly the wc is out of warranty and the plumber's mobile phone is disconnected(!) So, it looks like I am going to have to fix it. I could:

a) Apply some silicone sealant to the underside of the washer, between the washer and porcelain, to try to seal this.
b) Get my dremel out to try to rub away the raised ridge enough so the washer sits ok,
c) Both the above!

Anyone think I am wasting my time or can give me moral support that these might work? I have lived in this area 10 years and despair that I will ever find a decent plumber! Everyone I know complains about the quality of tradespeople in this area and I am tiring of fixing everything myself.

Thanks

111KAB

Problem is with something like this is the time/effort taken in trying to resolve only to find when you have done the repairs they haven't worked and you start again. The only thing I would say is that if you do try silicone get a reputable brand and make sure everything is completely dry. I forget THE name of the best brand but it is often used on boats for sealing gaps etc and is a far better product than your average DIY stuff - costs about £9 a tube from memory.

garethgas

I'd go for option (c).
As for silicone, any good quality sealant will do. For the amount you'll need you could try a product called LSX which looks like a tube of glue. I find its pretty good and less waste because you don't really need a huge tube of the stuff.

angelavdavis

I did try to rub down the flaw with the dremel and used a small ring of plumbers mait between the ceramic surface and washer and this seems to have worked.:T

Hintza

Worth a phone call and email to the manufacturer (although they are not liable) along the lines of what you have posted here might elicit a goodwill gesture. If nothing else you might get a new one at cost.

I find if you are polite and genuine then folk will at least try to help.

garethgas

Glad you've sorted it out. Keep an eye on it though.
I'm not a huge fan of plumbers mait some swear by it, some swear at it.
At least if that seal fails in the future you'll be better equipped to fix it.

DVardysShadow

I would not have used plumbers mait. It does tend to harden off slowly over the years, creating a problem for any later work. I would use Fernox LS-X, which is designed for plumbing applications.

angelavdavis

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I would not have used plumbers mait. It does tend to harden off slowly over the years, creating a problem for any later work. I would use Fernox LS-X, which is designed for plumbing applications.

Point taken. I would have used Fernox, but sadly I didn't have any left from the last job and so would have had to visit the plumbing merchants, so plumbers mait worked for the moment. But, I am with you (having spent over an hour cleaning off all the joints which were caked in the stuff!)

I have thankfully previously installed an isolation valve in order for me to shut this toilet off to fix later when I get hold of Fernox, so I will do this.

Having said that, my 73 year old parents who live with me are happy to have the downstairs loo back in action!

jim_will_fix_it

Contact the maker before you do anything, anything you buy has to be fit for purpose, its obvious this is and was not, they should help but read up on the consumer laws about this subject before you ring.