Mend > Toilets

Close coupled toilet water leaking into toilet pan from cistern?

Hi,

We have a close coupled toilet fitted about 22 months ago by a Council contractor. The house is private so we won't get it fixed by the council, we have to go privately to a plumber or to a merchant to fix it. I don't know the make of the toilet - no trademark anywhere to be seen but looks like a 'typical' close coupled loo with a 'split' water saving flush button at the top.

The water leaks through into the back of the toilet pan and flows down inside the loo mostly at the rear (not onto the floor at all) basically it comes down the same place as when you flush it.

It started about a week ago and it is not fast, but noticeable. It's almost continuous, though it has stopped once or twice, more or less.

Where is the fault that is causing this leak? Is it an easy DIY job? My Dad is not 'flush' with money to call out a plumber 'willy nilly' if it's a simple problem that can be fixed DIY.

Can we take the top off the cistern without messing the whole thing up? Do we have to lift out the flush button first? Is it easy to disassemble what we need to take apart and more importantly to put it back together again?

Any help much appreciated!

Dave.

Dave.

Dave.
February 2008

D.I.Y, Toilets Water Leaking Months

put silicon bead into the join between the bottom of the sistern and the toilet bowl. the water will now flow down into the bowl. no plumber needed .

i found out the hard way (called out a plumber)
August 2013

I have the same prob. but think I have fitted a washer between the fitting kit plate & the bottom of the cistern will remove it tomorrow & give it a go.

Brian.M.
October 2012

Its a easy fix the toilet has a built in overflow its the ball cock letting buy it needs a new ball cock about £5 from B&Q and easy to install there are 2 kinds a bottom entry or a side entry take the lid off the systern and have a look you will see a pipe too were the water is running down into the toilet Hope this helps out

Steve Smith
November 2010

I have the same problem except my close coupled unit is brand new ...... it looks complicated in the cistern ..... so how can I adjust the float valve or adjust the float level.... what should I be looking for inside???

Paulus
June 2010

This is a common issue with Close Coupled toilets. It is the seal that is the problem. I think you're better off replacing the toilet with a traditional low level cistern type. You will have far less problems

Bob
January 2010

The problem is straightforward and easy to correct. When the close coupled toilet is taken apart ( the cistern from the toilet bowl ) a seal is disturbed and very few plumbers replace this and this can be the problem of the toilet leaking. When you take the toilet apart for repair, ensure that you replace the seal, it is called an Altech close coupled toilet seal.

David Ross
August 2009

fully concur with above
this is the problem. no doubt.
GJBplumbingservices@yahoo.co.uk

gary
September 2008

try Lunns www.lunns.net

Andrew
February 2008

I adjusted the float level, no help. Then I turned off the water supply, unclicked the flush mechanism and found a line a crystals around the seal. (We are in a high lime area) Cleaned it off, the seal looked patent, put is back together and so far so good.

Nigel
February 2008

I have a similar problem.

I replaced the flusher unit a while ago and noticed the standard B&Q kit seemed a little bigger.

It seems when the water flows down the internal overflow (of the flusher) it is not gooing into the well that leads to the pan, and gently drips down the side and back.

Drip is also slow, hence pretty sure that as the water trickles in, it trickels out the overflow.

Here is how I (non-plumber) replaced the flusher
(If you have a tap to shut of the incoming water, it is easy enought to remove.)
- close water supply
- flush and mop out the water in cistern
- disconnect water supply and external overflow
- unscrew the two bolts/screws holding the cistern to the pan
- unscrew any bolts holding the cistern to wall
- lean it foward to pop it off
- should be easy enough to replace the flusher unit / seals etc

I think the trick is finding the right flusher unit.
I tried the simple unit with just a plug in the hole attached to flush handle (no funky mechanism, to break)
It wouks really well, but I am pretty sure the piece that stick out of the cistern is a tiny bit too big.

Will let you know if I have any luck.

Bruce
February 2008

your float level needs adjusting so water level is below the internal overflow.
or your flush valve is not closing fully and allowing water past the seal at the bottom of the flush mech.

hi-spec plumbing & heating
February 2008