How do i mend a leaking cistern?

Thanks Peccavi. Will try!

mrsonic
October 2009

The seal between the cistern and the pan is a low pressure soft round rubber washer in the shape of a ring doughnut - called a donut washer.

A flat metal plate is pulled down onto the donut washer to squeeze it down to stop leaks - a wing nut and bolt each side provide the pressure and you can often "fix" the problem just by tightening the wing nuts - but not always - sometimes you need a new donut washer also another rare fault (Bathstore) that happened to me...

The water pipe from the cistern to the pan may be too long causing the cistern to tilt forward a few degrees where the pipe jams against the back of the inside of the pan - you can check for this by squinting sideways along the join line - the donut washer should be thin and parallel - if it's wider at the back you have this problem and need to saw 3mm or so from the end of the pipe that projects from the bottom of the cistern.

If you need to remove the cistern it's an easy 20 minute job off and on again - isolate the water input - flush the cistern - undo the two donut washer wing nuts - undo the water inlet - remove the two screws that hold the cistern to the wall - gently lift the cistern from the pan and tip any remaining water into the bowl. Do not overtighten the wall screws on reassembly - just snug else you'll risk a crack in the cistern.

Good luck...

Peccavi
October 2009