A leak I cannot get to! What to do in this situation!?

[Audiotechnical]

Hi All,
I've discovered a leak somewhere related to the cistern to a toilet upstairs which is hidden behind the tiled wall. I cannot be specific at where this leak is coming from, because the access to it is really restricted. Taking off the wall flush plate, I can get my arm into the area, and can feel that the higher pipe (feed pipe?) seems totally dry, but as I stretch around behind and under the cistern, I feel a lot of wetness. It's ended up dripping through the ceiling into (by chance) the toilet on the ground floor. I've emptied the cistern and make it so it doesn't refill. The dripping/leak has stopped. I'm pretty sure I need someone who is familiar with this setup and how to fix it, but I thought I'd double check first, in case there is something obvious I'm missing regarding how the hell would anyone (a plumber or myself!) would access this kind of setup?

TIA

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What’s above a shelf ?

 

[Audiotechnical]

What’s above a shelf ?

Not sure I understand the question. There is no shelf involved. Or is that a term I'm misunderstanding?

 

[gmartine]

If you can reach in comfortably use your mobile phone to video the leaking area or buy a cheap endoscope for it.

No easy way to repair it unfortunately without cutting an access panel either behind, beneath or through the tiled wall.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Not sure I understand the question. There is no shelf involved. Or is that a term I'm misunderstanding?

need to cut the wall open then unfortunately as the wrong type of cistern was used

 

[Audiotechnical]

Ok, thats what I feared. Thanks for your responses @ShaunCorbs and @gmartine

I bought some of those seals that sit at the base of the flush unit (its Ideal standard) to replace on other toilets that were leaking constantly into the bowl, so might that be an option to replace? Or is that not likely to be the cause?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Ok, thats what I feared. Thanks for your responses @ShaunCorbs and @gmartine

I bought some of those seals that sit at the base of the flush unit (its Ideal standard) to replace on other toilets that were leaking constantly into the bowl, so might that be an option to replace? Or is that not likely to be the cause?

No as you shouldn’t have water on the outside of the cistern / below

One option is to remove the toilet pan and cut a hole the same width as the toilet -1” eg so it covers and see if a plumber could work with that not easy and prob won’t be cheap because of pita to work on etc but might be doable

 

[Audiotechnical]

No as you shouldn’t have water on the outside of the cistern / below

One option is to remove the toilet pan and cut a hole the same width as the toilet -1” eg so it covers and see if a plumber could work with that not easy and prob won’t be cheap because of pita to work on etc but might be doable

Damn it. ok. I did try using my iPhone and Apple Watch as a remote, so I could try and see what's going on, but was worried I might drop the iPhone, then the bill would be even more! So I think I'll invest in one of those endoscope cameras. Anyone got one they'd recommend?

 

[gmartine]

I bought a cheap one from Amazon...they are not very good, quite difficult to control accurately but probably good enough.

I'd very securely elastic band your phone to say a kitchen spatula, tie a bit of strong thread to that and run that outside the cavity incase you drop it.

 

[oz-plumber]

Sounds like someone put a plaster screw the cistern.
It probably rusted away leaving a hole in the cistern.

Wouldn't be the first time - nor the last.

 

[Audiotechnical]

Sounds like someone put a plaster screw the cistern.
It probably rusted away leaving a hole in the cistern.

Wouldn't be the first time - nor the last.

If that is the case, and I locate the potential hole (just waiting for my Endoscope to arrive) I guess with some sealant, I could repair/fill the hole?

 

[fowlerboi]

Ideally take the toilet out and shouldn't be a hard fix through that access

Got any spare tiles? It wouldn't take long to whip one off and fix it properly as an alternative

Sealants won't last

 

[MikeJhn]

If it is a hole in the cistern than drill out to size of a SS nut and bolt and rubber washer on both sides will cure it.

 

[MikeJhn]

Looks as though its a back to the wall pan, suggest you draw around the pan onto the wall to see how much you can cut away after removing the pan for access.