How do I get the S hook in toilet cistern to sit correctly again?

littlewren

I have a problem with my toilet cistern in the bathroom, it's a minor job I know, so I don't want to get British Gas out under my servicecare agreement, but I can't fathom out how to do it! I'll try and explain (in my own jargon) lol

When I press down the cistern handle to pull the chain, it won't go far enough to flush it. This is because the S hook inside the cistern has somehow moved so is not raising or lowering anything much. It needs to be kind of wiggled around to get it back in the right position but I just can't seem to do it. I tried the other evening and just ended up removing the S hook. I was beginning to panic, having visions of an overflow while I was trying to get it attached again and I finally managed to, but it's still not in the right place, so it still won't flush. I can see where it needs to be, but can't get it there, grrr.

Does anyone have any tips for doing this please? That's presuming you know what I'm on about

Luckily I have a downstairs toilet, otherwise I would have to get someone out.

Thanks in advance.

adonis

You need to unscrew the grub screw from the handle, see below link.

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/plumbing/toilet/lever_fitting.htm

littlewren

Thanks adonis but it's not the handle that's broken. It's like the S hook has moved and is not lying correctly, I just don't know how to get it to lie properly when I can't just take it out and try again because the water will continue rising.

muckybutt

Are you sure it's the s hook ? if not flushing properly it could be the diaphragm is kippered

London50

Two points with your cistern, first the float at the end of the bar it is connected to will stop the water overflowing when it reaches the shut off point on the valve so no problem with that side but second, if you flush the cistern with the lid off you can pull the float up to shut the water off into the cistern then tie the bar with the float on to a higher point so no more water enters the cistern. Sort the "s" hook then untie the string holding the float up allowing the water to fill the cistern. Failing that just turn the water supply off to your cistern {if you have a cold water cistern in your place you should beable to isolate the water supply to your cistern from there, if not find your main stopc$ck and turn that off} that way any repairs can be down without any fear of leaks :0)
I have done this MANY times over the years {both ways} without any problems

adonis

littlewren if you can post a couple of photos with the cistern top off showing the handle up and one with it down we might have a better idea of what the problem is.

littlewren

Sorry I haven't replied, I have M.E. and haven't been great recently.

adonis....I wouldn't like to post photos of the inside of the cistern, it's disgustingly black! I don't know why and I actually posted to a (different) forum a couple of years ago to ask the best way to clean it. The replies I got told me I was really sad for wanting to clean it and to leave it as it is, so I did!

Londond50 thank you, I will try this once I am feeling better and let you know how I get on. I have visions of doing it wrong and the water spilling over the top, but I'll give it a go.

littlewren

muckybutt wrote: »

Are you sure it's the s hook ? if not flushing properly it could be the diaphragm is kippered

What it is, is the handle won't go all the way down to flush it and when I look inside, it looks as if the S hook is catching somehow and stopping it.

littlewren

adonis wrote: »

You need to unscrew the grub screw from the handle, see below link.

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/plumbing/toilet/lever_fitting.htm

Thank you for the link, but there doesn't seem to be a problem with the lever, it just seems to be the S hook.

adonis

Don't worry about the state of the cistern, they all get yukky after time,
if you can mange to post a couple of pics I'm sure we can help.

I posted the link as I thought it might be easier to fit the S hook by removing the handle.