cistern leaking.

[Werth]

hi, i posted a few weeks back regarding rusty wingnuts on a cistern as i was about to change a siphon for a friend. i went to do it today, hacksawed the wingnuts, no problem. replaced the siphon, no problem. the problem iv got is when i attach the cistern back and im getting a drip from just one of the wingnuts, constantly. iv had the cistern and siphon off 3 times now and the problem persists. iv capped the toilet off as my head is mashed with it now! any advice? thanks.

 

[Pipedream]

Probably needs a new doughnut washer. I always put a new one in when replacing a cistern. Look for the thick rubber type, I have had problems with the cheap foam ones that come with some new WCs


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[Werth]

i have mate, a brand new close coupled kit with a rubber doughnut, thats what i dont understand!! the toilet is around 15 years old mind but that shouldnt be the reason of the leaking.

 

[Resolute]

I do a lot of syphon swaps and it could be a misshapen doughnut washer or the syphon nut not tight enough.

Where abouts is the job?

 

[Pipedream]

I have had the cheap internal washer that came with the Syphon not doing the job, swapped for it better quality one worked. Could the cistern be cracked ?


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[Werth]

im going to go back tomorow as the house is empty at the moment, im going to silicone the siphon, inside and out and hopefully that will do it. the old siphon was siliconed in so it could be the cistern?

 

[Plamber]

you could you fill the cistern up and leave it sitting on the floorfor 15 mins or so. that way you could see if the leak is at the syphon. i put plumbers mait downwhere the doughnut goes so the doughnut washer site on the plumbers mait.

 

[WaterTight]

Foam washers are better than rubber as they compress more easily and you don't need to over-tighten wingnuts which can also cause the type of leak you mention by pulling the plate away from the underside of cistern. Best thing to do is (as plamer says) fill cistern with water somehwere you can see the underside. I tend to balance it on a bucket in the back garden but be careful. Then you'll see where drips coming from. Shouldn't need silicone.

 

[Werth]

watertight, i think you have cracked it for me, im using a rubber doughnut and obviously it doesnt compress as much, therefore pulling the plate away. what you reckon then? plumbers mait then plate and nut, with a foam washer?

 

[Resolute]

When I find a cistern that's had silicone or plumbers mait used I clean it all off and start from new. I just use the rubber seal inside, metal plate then syphon nut then the doughnut washer. I find certain cisterns will only work with the rubber doughnuts whereas others only seem to work with the foam ones!

If the jobs near me then I'll take a look at it with you if you want?

 

[WaterTight]

Bung cistern on top of a bucket and fill with water while holding carefully. I tend to do this by an outside tap so you can hold it with one hand. Check nothing is dripping from underneath. If so then just change the rubber washer for foam (any merchants should do them) and only tighten to finger tight.

If you've still got a drip, dismantle. Make sure the foam doughnut looks right in the recess on the pan (you can get 1.5" and 1.25" and different types, somewith cut outs and all sorts) and looks like it'll stay put rather than slip down or to one side. When wingnuts are tight shine a torch underneath and check it's still central. If it looks fine then use some silicone but allow to dry or at least get a skin before flushing.

 

[REDSAW]

doughnot not square

 

[WaterTight]

well no, usually circular.

 

[Werth]

you lot are bloody good i must say, its just outside manchester mate. iv been working with a plumber, labouring if you like, and iv really took a shine to it, so iv got brave and started doing the odd jobs. soon as my confidence is getting good something as simple as this comes and knocks me down again!

 

[Plamber]

ive done hundreds of syphon swaps mate. And every so often i get one that really gets me. and for some reason they are always the ones in tight spaces or top floor in a block of flats so im knackered carrying stuff upstairs. the ones where the toilet is crusten in ancient piddle is always a pain.

 

[Werth]

it will be getting conquered tomorow! its all down to experience, and trying difffernt things. its far to easy for it to be a straight swap every time ay!

 

[Resolute]

you lot are bloody good i must say, its just outside manchester mate. iv been working with a plumber, labouring if you like, and iv really took a shine to it, so iv got brave and started doing the odd jobs. soon as my confidence is getting good something as simple as this comes and knocks me down again!

I had a really good week last week, got through loads of jobs and feeling really confident - this week has been crap so far. Jobs not going well etc. we all have them!

Manchester is too far for me though! Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

Out of interest what make of syphon are you putting in?

 

[Werth]

its ophella mate, pretty sure its the rubber doughnut not compressing and the couple plate bending when tightening the wingnuts. going to swap for a foam one.

 

[Resolute]

Those Opella Syphons from screwfix are a big rubbish though - might be the seal.

 

[Werth]

il fill the cistern up tomorow and give evrything a good test. thanks for all the good advice!