OLD THREAD: Dribbling loo - how to get at the cistern

JohnB47

Please note that this thread is now quite old. Go to the end to see the latest posts.

The other day I noticed the water in the loo moving slightly, after it hadn't been used for a while. When I looked carefully I saw that there was a constant dribble of water coming down the back of the toilet pan. Obviously something wrong with the flush mechanism.

So the question is, how to get at the mechanism?

I've attached some pictures and I've lettered the panels in Photoshop. There is no label anywhere to tell me the make of the unit. (Can anyone identify the make?) The company who fitted it have stopped trading now.

Image 1 shows the setup, Image 2 shows the clip arrangement holding panel 2 in place and Image 3 is the flush control buttons. (Sorry, you can't see the image titles but you get the idea).

I had to remove panel 2 recently to replace the basin click lack (pop up) waste. I actually just unscrewed the fittings but I think the panel could be simply pulled away from the unit.

Is that how panel 1 is held in place, I wonder?

Also, if I try just pulling panel 1 out, will the flush control unit come away with it safely, or does the flush control unit need to be removed first. If so, how?

Panel 3 is tucked behind the pan and can't be removed without moving the pan itself.

If I can get panel 1 off, with or without disconnecting the flush control buttons, will that allow me to get at the flush mechanism - enough to see if it needs some sort of adjustment or maybe clean a bit where it is not sealing properly after a flush?

Or maybe I need to remove the worktop? I see from looking in behind panel 2 and up, some screws holding the worktop down onto the top of the unit (two screws on the left and two on the right). But I can't see if the worktop is held down at any other places - just need to remove the screws I can see and the sealant perhaps?

I know I have the name and make of the cistern unit somewhere, so I could find a replacement seal or perhaps a whole flush mechanism. I just need to get at it.

Any thoughts?

BUFF

Try pressing the flush button a few times - it may just be a bit of dirt & the valve just need reseating.

Could use a bit more light but it does look like demountable clips (you may also need to detach the cistern flush button behind unless it has plenty of spare cable/tube) but that isn't really going to help you as you almost certainly need top access to the cistern. The installers didn't allow for any form of cut-out, flap etc. in the worktop?

JGB1955

Ours is similar.  No need to remove the worktop - panel 1 will be held on by two clips - just pull firmly towards you and the panel will reveal the 'workings' behind it.

macman

Almost certainly you'll need to remove the worktop. I detest concealed cisterns, because half the time the installers make no provision for access.

JohnB47

JGB1955 said:

Ours is similar.  No need to remove the worktop - panel 1 will be held on by two clips - just pull firmly towards you and the panel will reveal the 'workings' behind it.

Thanks. Do you mean you have exactly the same cabinet? If so, can you give me the make/model?

As for access, do you mean I could get access to the workings - others say that access from the top would be needed?

JGB1955

JohnB47 said:

JGB1955 said:

Ours is similar.  No need to remove the worktop - panel 1 will be held on by two clips - just pull firmly towards you and the panel will reveal the 'workings' behind it.

Thanks. Do you mean you have exactly the same cabinet? If so, can you give me the make/model?

As for access, do you mean I could get access to the workings - others say that access from the top would be needed?

No not exactly, ours is 12+ years old (from Howdens).  Just try pulling that panel towards you.  We've had the same problem a couple of times and been able to fix it quite easily.

molerat

JGB1955 said:

Ours is similar.  No need to remove the worktop - panel 1 will be held on by two clips - just pull firmly towards you and the panel will reveal the 'workings' behind it.

This.  One in a relation's house had a sprung clip either side, just get something plastic in one of the gaps and lever it forward and it will likely just ping off.  Any major work on the cistern will likely need the worktop off though.

Eldi_Dos

Out of interest how to you isolate cistern?,is there access for this via panel marked 4.

JohnB47

OK thanks everyone. No other access has been provided. I'll have a go at removing panel 1 and I'll see if the worktop needs removed too. No obvious isolate valve (although there are ones on the tap feed pipes behind panel 2). perhaps I'll see an isolate valve when I get the panel off.

BUFF

Eldi_Dos said:

Out of interest how to you isolate cistern?,is there access for this via panel marked 4.

In my case I have an  isolating valve on the side inlet to the cistern behind my equivalent of 1 (but I also have a hinged flap in the worktop).

Rodders53

The panel (1) will pull forward/off on the clips as your second photo.

The button will likely clip on to the flush cable so the panel can be put 'out of the way' temporarily

Panel (3) will lift up off it's retainers but may (almost certainly will)  be prevented from removal by the worktop and toilet being fixed to floor.

Quite likely that the inlet valve can be accessed through that panel;  as can the flush mechanism with may have a bayonet fitting to remove/replace as a whole if needed or just the flush washer.

Leak may be via the overflow into the toilet if the inlet diaphragm is letting by.  Change the diaphragm if so (usually a pinhole means the flush tank takes an age to refill rather than fast with a snappy water stop when 'full').
Alternatively it's the flush valve letting by - which could be crud/hard water deposits preventing a seal. May just need a clean up.

If you're lucky the isolator will be accessible (unlike my 3 toilets, where they're down near the floor level and hard to get to as panel 2 can't be removed).  Fortunately my toilets are fed from a water harvester so easy to isolate the lot and still have other water in the house going.

https://www.siamp.co.uk/category/products/concealed-cisterns/ shows an example of what may be behind the panel.  (Mine are Siamp).