How to Fix a leaky toilet - Part 3

Once The Cistern is removed from the pan you will see that the flush mechanism has a threaded section which passes thru the toilet cistern and is fixed by a plastic threaded collar and 2 rubber washers. If these washers were perished then the cistern would probably leak " externally" ie. onto the bathroom floor – which is not the case here (actually this would largely depend on the seal between the cistern or the pan).

Anyway, we unscrew the plastic collar ( it may need a light tap with the hammer if it has a lot of lime-scale as is the case here , no need to go crazy a few light taps should do it) and remove the old , leaky , flush mechanism from the cistern.

Once the flush mechanism is out of the cistern we can see what is causing the toilet to leak. The main seal on the flush mechanism is badly perished (see photo) and because of this doesn't seal , causing a continuous leak into the toilet.

At this point if you just want to fix the leaking toilet you could just clean everything up , replace this seal and put everything back together. However for the reasons mentioned earlier, I've decided, rather than just repair the leak , to update to a double flush system to save water, and in the long term money (and the planet !!)

How To Fix a Leaky toilet - Part 2

So The waters turned off . By the way if theres one of those small taps on the wall by the toilet (as in the photo above)
don't trust it , in my experience they normally leak. Turn the water off at the main stopcock !

Toilet Repair Step 2 Flush the toilet – this empties the cistern (well about 98 % anyway)

Toilet Repair Step 3 Unscrew the old flush mechanism actuator so that you can take the lid off the cistern.

Toilet Repair Step 4 Disconnect the flexible pipe from the float mechanism on the side of the cistern ( 17mm spanner) and then remove the float mechanism from the cistern (19mm spanner )

Toilet Repair Step 5 Use the old towel or rags to absorb the last of the water left in the toilet cistern. (see photo)

Toilet Repair Step 6 Undo the Plastic wing-nuts which connect the cistern to the pan and lift the cistern free.

How To Fix A Leaky Toilet - Part 1

I've got a few water saving repairs to do around my home so I thought I'd start a Blog to show you how and also why you should do them !

How to Repair a Leaky Toilet.

My toilet's been leaking for a few weeks. This not only is annoying , due to the sound of running water, but it also costs money as it consumes water. So I'm gonna fix it but also, I'm going to update the toilet's flush mechanism to a modern double flush system. This makes sense because its not going to take me any longer to do and whereas my toilet used 10l with every flush with the new mechanism fitted its going to use only 3L for a partial flush and 6L for a full flush. It might not seem like much difference but if you do the calculation for a family of four you'll see its going to save a lot of water. If your water is metered that equates to a substantial cash saving on your water bill. If not well at least you can be content that you're helping save the environment every time you go to the toilet !!!

So Here it is

How to Repair a leaky toilet.

This job takes about half and hour from start to finish.

Tools : you will need to repair your leaky toilet:

• 19mm spanner (or an adjustable spanner)
• 17mm spanner (or an adjustable spanner)

• Philips Screwdriver (medium)
• Small nylon faced hammer ( in case the old flush mechanism is locked on by lime-scale)
• Old rags or an old towel (to absorb water)

Toilet Repair Step 1: TURN OFF THE WATER AT THE STOPCOCK !!!

Actually before you do its worth ; (a) filling a bucket with water - in case you need some water.

(b) filling the kettle - in case you want to have a cuppa!