Disconnecting water supply to toilet

Disconnecting water supply to toilet

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phil_cardiff

Original Poster:

7,028 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Argh! I have a leak between my cistern and the bowl when it flushes. I reckon it's the rubber washer between the cistern and the bowl. Can I get to it? Can I hell. I obviously need to take the cistern off the bowl but need to disconnect the water supply 1st. Unfortunately I can't get my wrench onto the nut, pictured below, as the pan is in the way. Any ideas? It's the top nut as the one underneath it is below the isolation valve (the little screw head).



Edited by phil_cardiff on Saturday 20th November 11:42


Edited by phil_cardiff on Saturday 20th November 11:59

Fort Jefferson

8,237 posts

221 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
You need a tap spanner.

Big Al.

68,782 posts

257 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
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Looks like you might need a crows foot spanner/Basin spanner

not saying use ebay but more as to what I'm describing

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/sis.html?_kw=10%22+BASIN+WR...

HTH

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
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thats what you need

Ferg

15,242 posts

256 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
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I think you'll be lucky to get a tap spanner on that, to be honest. Looks like a real nightmare. I suspect the plumber tightened that service valve on there before putting it in position. You might get a small pair of grips on it around the back though. It shouldn't need much of a nip. Fibre washers are very good for that.

netherfield

2,666 posts

183 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Or turn the water off at the mains,then undo the lower nut.

Then whilst it's off move the service valve lower down,for the next time.

phil_cardiff

Original Poster:

7,028 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Cheers guys, so what we're saying is a tap spanner on the metal nut and if that fails some small grips on the plastic nut right at the top?

phil_cardiff

Original Poster:

7,028 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
netherfield said:
Or turn the water off at the mains,then undo the lower nut.

Then whilst it's off move the service valve lower down,for the next time.
I did think of that but was concerned that it would spurt everywhere?

Ferg

15,242 posts

256 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
I should read more carefully!
Yeah, grips behind the nut and you MAY undo it, if not turn off the mains. Make sure it isn't tank fed though!!! Once it's dead turn on the kitchen cold to drain it back from the valve.

phil_cardiff

Original Poster:

7,028 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Well grips aren't happening, there's just no room to turn it, even if I can get purchase on the nut.

Wish I knew if my water supply was tank fed or not. I don't think it is but not too sure!

Ferg

15,242 posts

256 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
phil_cardiff said:
Well grips aren't happening, there's just no room to turn it, even if I can get purchase on the nut.

Wish I knew if my water supply was tank fed or not. I don't think it is but not too sure!
Turn off the stopcock under the sink (or wherever) and see if the ballvalve in that toilet stops.

phil_cardiff

Original Poster:

7,028 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Cheers Ferg.

Turned off the water at the mains, undid the bottom nut, still couldn't prise the cistern from the bowl! All wingnuts were undone too. Decided to give up for today so put the toilet back together and the leak has stopped. It won't last though.

eliot

11,349 posts

253 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Cant see why you cant get a basin wrench in there - remember the head is 90' the to handle:

Dogwatch

6,221 posts

221 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
My sympathies. Whoever 'designed' that unit should be taken out and shot.

Taking a step back for a moment, exactly what is this going to achieve? I have been in a similar situation (with a better designed unit fortunately). Water from the syphon in the cistern discharges into a 'bowl' at the back of the pan and from there runs out underneath the rim. To ensure a watertight joint, and allow for slight movement, a squashy rubber washer (there are two types) sits in a semi circular groove around the 'bowl'.
To hold the cistern and pan together a circular steel plate was fitted over the syphon outlet when it was being installed and before putting on the big plastic nut. Two bolts, one on each side, are slid sideways into slots in this plate and the bolts go through vertical holes at the back of the pan. Nuts visible above the soil pipe, attach to these bolts to pull the cistern down onto the rubber washer to make a watertight joint. Very crude but usually works!

In short what I am trying to say is that before struggling with the stupidly designed inlet pipe have a go at tightening the cistern securing nuts. Problem is that they can rust solid with condensation from the cistern but you are going to have to confront them sometime.

If you do have to split the unit consider fitting a new syphon unit and squashy washer before refitting. Also, is the rigid inlet pipe stopping the cistern from seating properly on the washer?

phil_cardiff

Original Poster:

7,028 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
I think there's just enough room for a basin wrench. The bolt is 22mm though so I'll have to order one or wait until the plumber merchant is open on Monday. Then I need to go back to the plumber merchant to get the right size donut. Happy days.

eliot

11,349 posts

253 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
phil_cardiff said:
I think there's just enough room for a basin wrench. The bolt is 22mm though so I'll have to order one or wait until the plumber merchant is open on Monday. Then I need to go back to the plumber merchant to get the right size donut. Happy days.
I know you are in Wales - but surely B&Q has extended it reach across the border?

dirkgently

2,160 posts

230 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Dogwatch said:
Problem is that they can rust solid with condensation from the cistern but you are going to have to confront them sometime.
It isn't condensation, they are never corroded in Ladys only toilets.;)

Ricky_M

6,618 posts

218 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
dirkgently said:
Dogwatch said:
Problem is that they can rust solid with condensation from the cistern but you are going to have to confront them sometime.
It isn't condensation, they are never corroded in Ladys only toilets.;)
Never been to Wales obviously!


Phil, I'm guessing you have undone the screws holding the cistern to the wall? If it is still not coming off, someone may have siliconed the cistern to the pan.


dirkgently

2,160 posts

230 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Ricky_M said:
dirkgently said:
Dogwatch said:
Problem is that they can rust solid with condensation from the cistern but you are going to have to confront them sometime.
It isn't condensation, they are never corroded in Ladys only toilets.;)
Never been to Wales obviously!
All very genteel down here, although we do have some footballer types at the end of the beach.smile

Busamav

2,954 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th November 2010
quotequote all
Hammer and screwdriver smile