Help with toilet overflow

silvercar

The toilet is overflowing slowly. I’ve put an arrow where the water comes in. It doesn’t completely shut off, leaving a very slow drip. I’ve sprayed vinegar around in case it is scaled up, but there remains a slow drip that eventually leads to the overflow on the LHS dripping outside.

Anything easy I can do, or should I call a plumber. Unfortunately I can’t see an isolator to the water supply.

MyRealNameToo

Not clear from the photo, is the water just not switching fully off when the float valve is up? If you lift it up does it stop? Or are you saying the water is escaping from some other part of the flush mechanism that it shouldn't be (ie its cracked/holed)?

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866638#Comment_81866638

the water isn’t fully switching off. Even when I hold the arm up there is still a slow drip

grumpy_codger

Google 'toilet fill valve membrane diaphragm' and watch some videos.

Nearlyold

Re no isolator - Assuming the toilet cistern is mains fed and not from a loft tank you should be able isolate the incoming mains using the stopcock typically under the kitchen sink or the mains stopcock in the path/pavement/road.

nofoollikeold

I'd suggest you have two options, both of which require the water to be turned off.

1. Replace the inlet valve diaphragm washer. Can't be sure but it looks like a Delchem, such as Toolstation 74055
2. Replace the whole inlet valve with a similar one such as Screwfix 172PW. If there is room within the cistern, another choice would be Screwfix item 47792

WIAWSNB

Silvercar, how DIYish are you?

Almost certainly this can be sorted with one of these along with a tub of this.

Less than a £enner.

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866703#Comment_81866703

How would I know if the toilet is mains fed? It's an old house and there is a tank in the loft.

danrv

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866979#Comment_81866979

It's a rubber diaphragm that goes in the ball valve mechanism. Replacing it should stop the drip.

I usually replace the whole valve given that they're quite cheap.

njkmr

I happened to have the same problem and took mine apart today to get to the rubber washer/diaphragm mentioned above. I cleaned the inside of the shut off valve and cleaned the rubber. There was signs of gritty muck in both. It seems to have done the trick. Although if it happens again I will have a new rubber diaphragm ready to put in as it's 20 years old.

plumb1_2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81867001#Comment_81867001

and what if it’s the valve seating faulty, changing the washer won’t stop it from dripping