Replacing toilet flush
Discussion
My second toilet flush thread this week....but this is a different toilet.
Whilst I'm in DIY plumbing mode I want to replace this toilet flush which from researching is I believe a SIAMP brand which are known to be poor...
I have ordered a Fluidmaster PRO45B to replace it, however I can't access the plastic nut that secures the SIAMP unit to the underneath of the cistern, it's concealed as the toilet goes right back to the wall...
So is it as simple as turning off the water supply, flushing/draining the cistern, and unscrewing the two rusty screws that secure the cistern to the wall, lifting it off and then accessing the plastic nut? Then reassemble in reverse?
Whilst I'm in DIY plumbing mode I want to replace this toilet flush which from researching is I believe a SIAMP brand which are known to be poor...
I have ordered a Fluidmaster PRO45B to replace it, however I can't access the plastic nut that secures the SIAMP unit to the underneath of the cistern, it's concealed as the toilet goes right back to the wall...
So is it as simple as turning off the water supply, flushing/draining the cistern, and unscrewing the two rusty screws that secure the cistern to the wall, lifting it off and then accessing the plastic nut? Then reassemble in reverse?
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 30th December 12:19
GasEngineer said:
There's usually a couple of fixings holding the cistern to the pan as well.
You may have to unscrew the floor fixings and pull the whole thing forward.
Mmm, that would also probably mean disconnecting the waste pipe at the back I assume? Might be a job I prefer my plumber to do, though I don't think he likes doing toilet jobs these days and sticks to just heating work.You may have to unscrew the floor fixings and pull the whole thing forward.
For now I might just replace the rubber diaphragm in the unit, however I cant undo the cap, it's on too tight to loosen by hand, Mole grips and pliers can't get a purchase either as they slip off in the restricted space available. Can anyone think of a tool that would help?
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 30th December 14:35
I can't offer advice other than to say that UK toilets are such a pain in the rear to work on. This looks like a gravity filled tank valve vs the ballcock style. Maybe look at some online to see if you can find instructions. I hope that they all work the same way but the last time I went to a plumbing supply store in the UK, they told me that 'they were all different'.
The Gauge said:
Mmm, that would also probably mean disconnecting the waste pipe at the back I assume? Might be a job I prefer my plumber to do, though I don't think he likes doing toilet jobs these days and sticks to just heating work.
For now I might just replace the rubber diaphragm in the unit, however I cant undo the cap, it's on too tight to loosen by hand, Mole grips and pliers can't get a purchase either as they slip off in the restricted space available. Can anyone think of a tool that would help?
Waste will just be a push fit and I'd suspect that as it's a back to the wall design it will be on a flexible waste so may not need to disconnect anyway. For now I might just replace the rubber diaphragm in the unit, however I cant undo the cap, it's on too tight to loosen by hand, Mole grips and pliers can't get a purchase either as they slip off in the restricted space available. Can anyone think of a tool that would help?
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 30th December 14:35
The Gauge said:
Mmm, that would also probably mean disconnecting the waste pipe at the back I assume? Might be a job I prefer my plumber to do, though I don't think he likes doing toilet jobs these days and sticks to just heating work.
For now I might just replace the rubber diaphragm in the unit, however I cant undo the cap, it's on too tight to loosen by hand, Mole grips and pliers can't get a purchase either as they slip off in the restricted space available. Can anyone think of a tool that would help?
Oil filter removal tool, one of the thin belt ones? For now I might just replace the rubber diaphragm in the unit, however I cant undo the cap, it's on too tight to loosen by hand, Mole grips and pliers can't get a purchase either as they slip off in the restricted space available. Can anyone think of a tool that would help?
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 30th December 14:35
The Gauge said:
borcy said:
Oil filter removal tool, one of the thin belt ones?
Good idea, whilst I'd like to own a nice pair of slip joint pliers I've instead ordered a thin belt oil filter removing tool from Amazon for £6 delivered tomorrow, fingers crossed.Spent my New Years Eve afternoon repairing the toilet flush. The oil filter tool did the trick 
Decided not to bother trying to pull the toilet away from the wall to replace the fill valve, instead ordered a new rubber diaphragm. Removed the old diaphragm which had perished completely (on the right)
New diaphragm inserted..
I'll let the plumber replace it all with the new Fluidmaster kit I bought when he next visits. Cistern now takes 55secs to refill compared to the 10mins it was taking. Looking forward to a flushtastic 2025
Decided not to bother trying to pull the toilet away from the wall to replace the fill valve, instead ordered a new rubber diaphragm. Removed the old diaphragm which had perished completely (on the right)
New diaphragm inserted..
I'll let the plumber replace it all with the new Fluidmaster kit I bought when he next visits. Cistern now takes 55secs to refill compared to the 10mins it was taking. Looking forward to a flushtastic 2025
Edited by The Gauge on Tuesday 31st December 16:18
What was the actual fault, out of interest? I've got a SIAMP flush valve and it's always running a very small trickle, leading to it having to periodically fill itself up, so it's wasting water. I've seen a few YT videos that show the bottom rubber seal can get "stuff" on it, and cleaning it off might sort it. I don't fancy having to take the cistern off, apparently you can undo them by turning the mechanism, but I keep finding excuses not to do it, in case it all goes wrong. Excuse to not do it tomorrow is in case I break it and can't get another.
droopsnoot said:
I've got a SIAMP flush valve and it's always running a very small trickle, leading to it having to periodically fill itself up, so it's wasting water. I've seen a few YT videos that show the bottom rubber seal can get "stuff" on it, and cleaning it off might sort it. I don't fancy having to take the cistern off, apparently you can undo them by turning the mechanism, but I keep finding excuses not to do it, in case it all goes wrong. Excuse to not do it tomorrow is in case I break it and can't get another.
Yeah, cleaning the seal is usually all that needs doing on the flush valves. Scale and other crud can prevent improper sealing. It sounds like you've seen this being done so I'll spare the detailed instructions, but suffice to say the internal mechanism is easy to remove - it just twists (anti-clockwise) allowing you to remove the whole thing and access the seal beneath. You don't even need to turn the water off as the running water from the inlet valve will just run straight down into the pan. You can wedge the float valve at the top though to prevent this is required.tux850 said:
Yeah, cleaning the seal is usually all that needs doing on the flush valves. Scale and other crud can prevent improper sealing. It sounds like you've seen this being done so I'll spare the detailed instructions, but suffice to say the internal mechanism is easy to remove - it just twists (anti-clockwise) allowing you to remove the whole thing and access the seal beneath. You don't even need to turn the water off as the running water from the inlet valve will just run straight down into the pan. You can wedge the float valve at the top though to prevent this is required.
Thanks, I did see a video on it. I had a go at removing the thing by twisting it but I couldn't get it to go, though another video (from SIAMP) says I should push down and twist. I've been putting off having another go at it, but I must get it done soon.borcy said:
Where did you get the replacement seal from?
. https://shop.siamp.co.uk/valve-spareshttps://www.toiletspares.co.uk/siamp.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=SIAMP+SEAL+DIAPH&...
Mr Pointy said:
borcy said:
Where did you get the replacement seal from?
. https://shop.siamp.co.uk/valve-spareshttps://www.toiletspares.co.uk/siamp.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=SIAMP+SEAL+DIAPH&...
My filler valve is leaking/overfilling again so having previously replaced the rubber grommet/seal I'd like to replace the filler valve. Can anyone confirm if my Siamp? filler valve is identical to this one please...
The reason I want identical rather than to replacing the whole thing with a better one is my toilet is 'back to the wall' meaning the nut thats under the cistern that releases the filler valve isn't accessible without removing the whole toilet. So, having spoke to my plumber i'm going to try and do it with the toilet in place and separate my existing filler valve by removing just the top half (if possible), and replacing with the top half from a new one. When the new one comes I will be able to find out if it can be separated. If not then I've only lost £20 and it will then be a toilet out job!
Edited by The Gauge on Wednesday 29th April 13:42
The reason I want identical rather than to replacing the whole thing with a better one is my toilet is 'back to the wall' meaning the nut thats under the cistern that releases the filler valve isn't accessible without removing the whole toilet. So, having spoke to my plumber i'm going to try and do it with the toilet in place and separate my existing filler valve by removing just the top half (if possible), and replacing with the top half from a new one. When the new one comes I will be able to find out if it can be separated. If not then I've only lost £20 and it will then be a toilet out job!
Edited by The Gauge on Wednesday 29th April 13:45
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