Close coupled toilet - water constantly running -- Advice please

andy1212

I have a close coupled toilet - see youtube.com/watch?v=y4AdckesOlg for a toilet that is very similar to mine (please fast forward to the 2 minute mark). I wanted to post a picture, but I cant seem to post or link it.

The water was originally constantly trickling (but not overflowing), but after I changed the washer after receiving some advice, the water is now running a lot faster and heavier (still not overflowing though). I'm out of ideas now, any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Ps. I don't think it has anything to do with the float ball because when I lift it up or press it down it doesn't affect the running of the water.

MisterBaxter

Did you fit the correct washer when you changed it; also are you sure you installed it correctly? If the water doesn't stop flowing when you lift the float by hand it sounds like the valve isn't closing. If it was working (other than the trickle) before you changed the washer then that may well be the problem.

The toilet in the video you linked looks fairly standard so I would have thought a universal washer would do the job but you never know, it could be using something different.

Check the washer again but if you really can't get it working then you can pick up a complete new syphon and valve kit from Screwfix for less than £20. You may as well replace the entire guts of the cistern while you're at it.

thescouselander

Might be best just to change the float valve assembly. They're not expensive and its probably less messing about than trying to find exactly the right washer.

Le_Kirk

Do you mean water running into the cistern from the refill pipe or running out of the cistern into the bowl? If the latter, then lifting the float valve will have no effect.

andy1212

Thank you everyone for your help. I'll look into your suggestions and hopefully I wont need to call the plumber.

The washer that I used looks similar to this one ebay.co.uk/itm/Diaphragm-Washers-for-Part-2-3-Toilet-Cistern-Float-Valves-5-Pack-/111196373081 I think its almost identical to the one I replaced.

It is the toilet inlet valve that is constantly running.

Le_Kirk

andy1212 wrote: »

It is the toilet inlet valve that is constantly running.

In which case, you have been given the answer in post #2. Good luck when you do look into it further. I recently changed a washer on a leaking tap and it leaked worse afterwards!! Turned out there was nothing wrong with the washer just a bit of trapped debris under the washer!! Doh!

Elfbert

Could well be some scale or debris in the inlet valve. Take it all out/apart and give it a clean up, or just buy a new one - they're so cheap - and fit it.

I refitted the entire cistern on my toilet on Boxing Day, only took a couple of hours, and I'd never done it before! (took it all apart, cistern off the wall, refitted inlet, flush valve then put it all back together). You'll probably just need a screwdriver, plumber's grips, and take photos on your phone as you take it apart if you think you'll forget how it goes back together!!

(I don't understand how your cistern can be constantly filling but not overflowing though?? Where is the water going?)

robatwork

Check my thread from last year - I managed to fix my overflowing toilet and didn't even flood the bathroom

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5040349

andy1212

Elfbert wrote: »

(I don't understand how your cistern can be constantly filling but not overflowing though?? Where is the water going?)

It was constantly filling, but leaking into the bowl luckily.

I checked with my local DIY store and they said that there was a part missing, which is why the valve wasn't closing. It must have somehow come off/ broke off . I looked around for it, but it seemed to have just disappeared! I bought this new ball valve in the end screwfix.com/p/bottom-entry-toilet-cistern-ball-valve/52836

It was pretty straight forward to install - the instructions that came with it were clear.

I first emptied the water in the cistern by scooping out as much out as I could and then used a cloth to soak up the rest. I then unscrewed a few things to take out the old ball valve (some excess water will come out, so have a towel handy) and put the new one in.

Thank you again everyone for your input.:beer:

robatwork

And probably saved £100 in plumber's fees too. Cisterns (and ridicule) are nothing to be afraid of.

Cisterns are doing it by themselves