Leaky toilet - what next?

El_Scot

Our toilet (ideal standard dual flush type) is leaking into the bowl. It's happened before, and was an easy fix by replacing the rubber seal on the flush valve. It started leaking again recently, so I naturally bought replacement seals again and swapped them over. This time it hasn't worked, so I'm wondering what to try next?

The new seals ideal standard produce are a silicon type material, I assume because the rubber ones deteriorate ridiculously fast and people were complaining.

To pre-empt a few questions:

I replaced the seal, then the seal and the clip.
I have cleaned around the opening it seals against.
I've followed a suggestion to turn off mains supply top see if it was an overflow feature, but the cistern continued to leak.
I've checked the float is engaging. If I pull this right up manually, it doesn't stop the inflow of mains water, and doesn't stop the leak into the bowl.

I wondered if, because the new seal is a new material, I need an entirely new flush valve unit, but a replacement is £50, and I don't want to spend that much if that's not the problem. Equally don't want to shell out for a plumber to find out that's all I needed to do.

Anything else I can try before I call in the professionals?

rob7475

You don't need a specific Ideal standard flush valve - you can replace it with anything that will fit in your tank. Take the one you have to a local plumbers merchant and they'll advise. Should cost no more than £20 for a new one. Screwfix also have plenty

grumbler

Are you sure it's the valve/seal, not overflow?

Bendy_House

El_Scot said:

If I pull this right up manually, it doesn't stop the inflow of mains water...

To confirm - you pulled your 'ock up and it DIDN'T stop the inflow?

If so, then that's very likely your literal issue.

Any chance of a pic of the inside of your cistern?

El_Scot

Sorry, I didn't mean to not come back to this for 2 days! I have been a bit under the weather.

This is the cistern. I've done a little more investigation. When the water level is low, there's a slight drip into the bowl at first. Once the cistern is full, drip turns into a heavy stream, so you may be right that this is an overflow issue. 

When I pull the red lever up, I'm pretty sure I can still hear mains water feeding into the cistern (a little hard to hear over the drip). The blue float lifts as the water rises, but when the cistern reaches its top water level, it sits slightly below the water line.

Bendy_House

El_Scot said:

Sorry, I didn't mean to not come back to this for 2 days! I have been a bit under the weather.

This is the cistern. I've done a little more investigation. When the water level is low, there's a slight drip into the bowl at first. Once the cistern is full, drip turns into a heavy stream, so you may be right that this is an overflow issue. 

When I pull the red lever up, I'm pretty sure I can still hear mains water feeding into the cistern (a little hard to hear over the drip). The blue float lifts as the water rises, but when the cistern reaches its top water level, it sits slightly below the water line.

The blue float shouldn't be below the water level at any point. That suggests that it isn't shutting off the inlet supply, so your suspicion of hearing a continuing hiss of incoming water is most likely correct.

The inlet valve has its spout right there beside it (above it in your pic); can't you check if water is coming out of that? If there is a noise-reducing polythene sleeve on it, can you remove this, or else lift up the open end to see if water is continuing to come out?

Can you see a 'make' on that inlet valve so we can ID it? Fair chance it'll be removable for cleaning or replacing from inside the cistern. I think there's usually a cap that goes over it? Do you have this (not that it's essential)?

El_Scot

Bendy_House said:

El_Scot said:

Sorry, I didn't mean to not come back to this for 2 days! I have been a bit under the weather.

This is the cistern. I've done a little more investigation. When the water level is low, there's a slight drip into the bowl at first. Once the cistern is full, drip turns into a heavy stream, so you may be right that this is an overflow issue. 

When I pull the red lever up, I'm pretty sure I can still hear mains water feeding into the cistern (a little hard to hear over the drip). The blue float lifts as the water rises, but when the cistern reaches its top water level, it sits slightly below the water line.

The blue float shouldn't be below the water level at any point. That suggests that it isn't shutting off the inlet supply, so your suspicion of hearing a continuing hiss of incoming water is most likely correct.

The inlet valve has its spout right there beside it (above it in your pic); can't you check if water is coming out of that? If there is a noise-reducing polythene sleeve on it, can you remove this, or else lift up the open end to see if water is continuing to come out?

Can you see a 'make' on that inlet valve so we can ID it? Fair chance it'll be removable for cleaning or replacing from inside the cistern. I think there's usually a cap that goes over it? Do you have this (not that it's essential)?

Ok, thanks! Yeah, I didn't think it should be below the water level. 

There is a sleeve, I can't remove it but I pinched it closed to see if water would build up, and I could feel the water running through. I pushed the float down deliberately and it was a little slow to engage again, so I suspect it could do with a cleaning for starters.

Thinking (not that I'm an expert) that this is more to do with the inlet itself. The float is now sitting above the water level, but even when it wasn't, it was sitting as high as it could.

Can't see a brand, but guessing I should be looking to replace the whole thing?

Jonboy_1984

The white round part in the centre should have a couple of holes in just under the top. They are the overflow entry, so the water level should stop below them when the blue float reaches its top position.

(If water isn’t reaching those holes then it may be a bit of grit or limescale elsewhere in the flush mechanism).

Bendy_House

 Cool, El. If we can ID the inlet valve, then we'll know if it can be removed from the cistern inside. Then it can be checked, cleaned, or replaced easily.

Do an images surf for 'cistern inlet valves' or similar, and see if you can find that distinctive colouring. Bear in mind there's likely a cap missing on yours.

I'll try too when I have time.

El_Scot

I've had a Google, can't find this specific one, but what might help is that we have 3 toilets, all have the same one, and they are all Armitage Shanks/Ideal Standard, if that helps? 

Bendy_House

"Quarter-turn and remove to reveal washer"

Er, after shutting off the water supply.

Looks like it? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252324363758 (Good chance there's cheaper out there...)