How do I deal with a clogged toilet refill mechanism?

AMJF · 10 August at 5:40PM

I have a problem with the toilet in my rented house of multiple occupancy, in that when it is flushed, the water drains from the system fine, it's just when it comes to being refilled by the mechanism.

The new mechanism itself has been installed in the last few years, and it has a little lever that goes up for a short flush and down for a long one (or vice versa). The thing is, lately, the refill will no longer happen in one go, just that it stops and starts frequently, and in recent months, a clunking sound is happening in the plumbing when it stops. This can go on for over a dozen times of around 5 seconds each, unless I push down on this part of this mechanism (yellow square) then it continues until I let go:

Image: https://us-noi.v-cdn.net/6031891/uploads/editor/rs/anfp1mwxkgj9.jpg

The stop/start will finish after a while, I guess when enough water has entered the cistern, but it shouldn't be stop/start, it certainly wasn't when we first got it. It's obviously become clogged since.

I have often thought of trying to fix this myself, but I don't know how, and if I damage it, the landlord will insist I pay for it, but he won't touch it himself as he thought it was normal activity, and he has just recently invested in all-new windows for the house anyway.

What can I do?

tacpot12 · 10 August at 6:26PM

It's a bad design. Have a look at the One and Two Star reviews here:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/viva-bottom-or-side-entry-universal-4-in-1-fill-valve-1-2-or-3-8-/2839H

I would suggest you email the landlord the link and offer to go halves on the cost of a new valve. Flowmaster valves are recommended in the comments on the Viva Skylo valve.

AMJF · 10 August at 6:42PM

I keep seeing a brand for this kind of valve called Flomasta, is that what you mean?

Also, the valve you linked to above looks cumbersome and unreliable. I just wonder if there's a cheaper, simpler and efficient design that I could install myself without calling a plumber. As I recall, a plumber who is a friend of the landlord fitted the current one.