Got to be a pourus cistern or hairline crack?

Phil · Dec 11, 2011

Go on then I'll post in the proper sub forum I suppose..........

Fitted a bathroom suite a few weeks ago and I'm going back to do some other jobs in a week, toilet cistern (Homebase rubbish) dripped very slightly down the thread of one of the fixing bolts, enough to see a small patch on the floorboard the next day.

Cistern off and checked every connection and doughnut, then refitted.........next day dreaded droplet on end of bolt again.

Cistern off and replaced doughnut for better quality type, refitted and filled up cistern but didn't flush.........next day same dreaded droplet.

Cistern off and undid everything to blank cistern and inspected with light, so visible cracks. I carefully refitted everything making sure every rubber seal was perfectly maited and no dodgy ceramic around the holes, refitted and left overnight without flushing..........next day same BS droplet!

Cistern off and stripped everything back and refitted (much to my disapproval) everything with LSX and a smear of silicone around the doughnut. Left a good 18 hours and then filled the cistern and yes of course it leaked.

It also pools slightly on the back of the toilet pan, I really wish it was condensation but it isn't beacause I tried it with warm water overnight and it was still the same, the house it empty and the other toilet is bone dry.

Is there such thing as a pourus cistern?

johnnyplumb · Dec 14, 2011

it's a problem nowadays, manufacturers are always looking to cut costs & one way is to cut the quality control or to use cheaper materials. unfortunetly it's us that suffer as time is money.

Guest123 · Dec 14, 2011

I reckon that 99% of cisterns and wash basins have filler in them somewhere. The firing process used in pottery is far from perfect and there will always be flaws somewhere. On umpteen basins, I can hear "bits" inside clinking about when lifted. The cheaper imports from the Far East are the worst. Even acrylic baths dont escape filler. I've seen some real suspect ones!

ADM360 · Dec 14, 2011

I fitted a cistern all ok, as you say back on site next day, small puddle round the back of pan, when all over no sigh of leak, flushed it pan connector ok, small dribble round back of cistern, assumed it to be doughnut washer, strip apart new doughnut washer, test again still small dribble round the back, so pinched up the bolts holding cistern to pan only 1/4 maybe 1/2 a turn and the cistern split in two, hair line crack!!!