Cistern flush pipe connector

DG55 · May 19, 2015

I've got a concealed cistern fitted in a really tight space, and there is a small leak in some of the pipe work underneath (unrelated to the cistern). I want to temporarily remove the cistern to gain access to the pipes below, but have no idea how the cistern is attached to the flush pipe below.

The alternative is to take apart all of the enclosure which is defiantly not attractive.

From what I can feel underneath the cistern, there doesn't seem to be any sort of bolt and threaded part of the pipe, rather just the pipe seems to go into a sort of 'cup' or smooth bulge type shape right before it goes into the cistern.

The flush mechanism is a standard modern two flush type.

Hoping it's some sort of push fit attachment which I can simply pull apart.

Any ideas what I am up against?

oz-plumber · May 19, 2015

DG55 said:
Any ideas what I am up against?

Yes....
Most probably a very unpleasant experience.

It depends on what cistern you have, the cistern fixings and the cistern connections.
They were not made to be removed and therefor are very difficult to remove.

Mark the outline of the pan against the wall, remove the pan, and cut a hole in the wall on the inside of the pan markings. If that doesn't gain you enough access, cut the wall open.

PlumbBobBob · May 19, 2015

the smooth part you can feel is threaded like a normal nut but smooth, when you undo it there will be another one securing the flush valve to the cistern.

DG55 · May 19, 2015

steveb said:
the smooth part you can feel is threaded like a normal nut but smooth, when you undo it there will be another one securing the flush valve to the cistern.

That would make sense. Here is a picture if it helps, really awkward to get a camera down there.

s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=00700031301247156729

So that round smooth bit, in theory i can just untighten that by hand?

PlumbBobBob · May 19, 2015

yes the smooth bit is just a nut that you undo

DG55 · May 19, 2015

steveb said:
yes the smooth bit is just a nut that you undo

Sounds promising, thanks for the help guys. So in theory here is what i hope to do:

- Undo cistern water inlet
- Undo this 'smooth nut' on the bottom of the cistern
- Undo the cistern bracket from the wall

Then I would hope to simply pull the cistern up and out of the housing, I assume theres nthing wrong with the flush mechanism staying inside - no reason to unscrew that?

Does that sound feasible or am i missing something?