Toilet filling up very slowly until bathroom tap is switched on

JW1954

Hi

Someone here had a similar problem in 2011, and I wondered if anyone has an answer for it today.

My push-button toilet cistern (installed about 5 years ago) has stopped filling up properly. Ie - it fills up very slowly.

I'm not very practical, but had a look inside anyway. I could see a thin stream of water coming out of a plastic unit on the left-hand side.

If I turn on the cold-water tap in the bathroom sink, the cistern fills up normally (and quickly). I generally have to wait a few seconds before I do it. (I discovered this by accident.)

When it fills, the thin stream stops and the water level shoots up.

All very odd.

If anyone knows of a simple solution, I'd be very grateful.

Anything to avoid an expensive plumbing job. (Unless, sadly, that's what it needs.)

Thanks in advance,

Jim

googler

Given the normal course of events when using a WC (i.e. use WC first, flush, then wash hands), you don't appear to have too much of a problem, as you'll always be turning on the cold tap after flushing the WC ... or even if you don't turn on the cold tap, you can do so whilst washing your hands - can't you?

However, are there shut-off valves in the water pipes leading to either cold tap or WC cistern? You could try closing and opening these for a start to see if there's any change in behaviour.

Are they fed from a water tank, or from the mains water directly?

JW1954

Hi - and thank you for your reply. (Which made me laugh. As you so wisely suggest - in the normal course of events I will indeed be switching on the tap after using the WC/flushing. So no problem, really. Why don't plumbers take that sort of approach? )

That apart, they are fed from the mains directly. (No tank.)

There's a screw-type fitting at the base of a pipe leading up to the cistern. I'm one of the least practical people on the planet, but I seem to recall I turn this to shut off the water.

I'll give it try - if what I've said (about the screw-type fitting) sounds OK to you?

Thanks again.

Jim

J_B

Random agricultural conclusion ....

There is a 'bit of summat' stuck in the loo filling system somewhere/somehow
With normal/high water pressure the summat blocks the pipe.
With the cold tap on, the pressure is reduces allowing the summat to ease back a little to let water through.

Agricultural fix .............. hit it with a hammer or tie some baler twine round it.

JW1954

I feel like hitting it! :j

grunnie

My toilet is 13 years old and I have had the same problem for the last 3 years. It's OK running the cold water tap but try explaining that to visitors. In the last few months it's been even worse and takes even longer to fill. Any help will be useful.

jblessing

try asking over at diynot.com

Dippypud

grunnie wrote: »

My toilet is 13 years old and I have had the same problem for the last 3 years. It's OK running the cold water tap but try explaining that to visitors. In the last few months it's been even worse and takes even longer to fill. Any help will be useful.

I'll bet you and the OP have had water meters fitted ...

They leave all sorts of rubbish in the pipes and then turn the pressure right up ...

Grenage

I would be tempted to:

Turn off the water,
Remove the isolation valve (assuming that's the only thing between your water feed and the inlet),
Put a bit of hose over the pipe and lead to a drain.
Turn the water on.

If there's anything lodged, that should free it, unless it's further up in the inlet or filling valve. You'll know by how much water comes out of the hose, I guess.

southcoastrgi

jblessing wrote: »

try asking over at diynot.com

Haha best of luck with that one