Have you got a broken toilet? Our plumbers offer toilet repairs at low prices and are here to help fix your cistern, offering advice along the way!
How to repair a faulty toilet
Toilet problems have a habit of making us squeamish, and with good reason. We have all felt that feeling of dread when we flush the toilet and see it start to back up, usually because there is a blockage of some sort.
A common type of toilet issue we face is the toilet not flushing at all. If that happens, it’s not because there is a blockage down in the waste pipe, but because there is an issue with the flush mechanism itself.
The good news is that you don’t have to worry about the toilet backing up and causing an unholy mess. If you want to fix it, you will have to delve into what to many of us is a mysterious and strange part of our household fixtures - the cistern.
What is a toilet cistern?
The cistern is the large box which, on most modern toilets at least, forms the back portion of the ‘porcelain throne’ behind the seat. This is where the water is stored which is used to flush waste from the bowl down into the sewage outlet pipe, and also where the flush mechanism which activates this process is housed.
Some common causes for why your toilet isn't flushing are usually down to one of three reasons.
1. The cistern isn't filling properly
After you flush a toilet, you should hear that familiar whooshing noise as the water that has just been used is replaced. If that doesn’t happen for some reason, there will be no water to flush away the waste next time. Alternatively, the cistern might sound like it is filling constantly but the water just drains away straight away, causing the same issue.
2. Cistern fills with water - water not released down the bowl.
When the cistern fills with water and the flush handle is pressed you'll be used to seeing the water flush down the toilet. But as the flush handle is pressed and it isn’t released down into the bowl as it should be. This is usually because there is something wrong with the valve that covers the outlet pipe. If it gets bent out of shape, it might not budge.
Incidentally, if the flapper valve gets bent in such a way that it does not close off the outlet pipe properly, you end up with water constantly running out of it and down the toilet, as described above. Not only is this a potential cause of your cistern not filling up, but it can also lead to a huge waste of water.
3. Faulty flapper valve
The final reason why a toilet might not flush is a fault with the mechanism that operates the flapper valve. If this becomes loose or detaches completely, you can press the flush all you want - it will do nothing and you'll need an expert to fix this for you.
Under the lid
Modern toilets with a push-button flush make things slightly more awkward than they used to be because you usually have to remove the control knob before you can get the lid off the cistern to see inside. But once you have done this, you should be able to tell pretty quickly whether a DIY repair is possible or if you need to call out a plumber.
The cistern not filling properly is often the easiest issue to repair. The amount of water in a cistern is controlled by what is called a float valve, which shuts off once the water (and so the float) reaches a certain level. This can sometimes become stuck in the closed position (it can also stick open, which is another reason why your toilet might sound like it is filling constantly as water pours into the bowl through the overflow). A little readjusting by trial and error can often get the flush valve position right again.
If there is something wrong with the outlet pipe valve or the flush mechanism itself, you may need to buy replacement parts to be fitted. This will depend on your confidence in your own DIY skills. If draining the water, shutting off the water supply (there will be a valve on an inlet pipe at the back of your toilet) and removing the whole mechanism just to see what the problem might sound beyond you, get a plumber out.
Fast Reliable Repairs With Go Assist
We offer a comprehensive range of plumbing services including emergency plumbing, drain unblocking, toilet, tap, shower, leak and boiler services. So no matter what your plumbing issue we are here to help.
For fast, reliable and affordable toilet repairs by a qualified plumber in your local area, Call Go Assist today or book your expert repair in minutes today.