Toilet sometimes won't flush.

[MitchT]

Strange problem. One of our toilets is playing up. Usually it's fine but occasionally it doesn't flush properly. There's very little resistance under the handle and it does a really pathetic little flush instead of a proper one. A few hours later it behaves normally again. Any ideas?

[stevensdrs]

MitchT said:

Strange problem. One of our toilets is playing up. Usually it's fine but occasionally it doesn't flush properly. There's very little resistance under the handle and it does a really pathetic little flush instead of a proper one. A few hours later it behaves normally again. Any ideas?

Hole in the syphon membrane. Just replace the whole syphon system as they are cheap.

[MitchT]

Cheers - will give that a go!

[eps]

stevensdrs said:

MitchT said:

Strange problem. One of our toilets is playing up. Usually it's fine but occasionally it doesn't flush properly. There's very little resistance under the handle and it does a really pathetic little flush instead of a proper one. A few hours later it behaves normally again. Any ideas?

Hole in the syphon membrane. Just replace the whole syphon system as they are cheap.

or replace the membrane - even cheaper! it's what I did to mine the other month

[R1gtr]

eps said:

stevensdrs said:

MitchT said:

Strange problem. One of our toilets is playing up. Usually it's fine but occasionally it doesn't flush properly. There's very little resistance under the handle and it does a really pathetic little flush instead of a proper one. A few hours later it behaves normally again. Any ideas?

Hole in the syphon membrane. Just replace the whole syphon system as they are cheap.

or replace the membrane - even cheaper! it's what I did to mine the other month

I replaced the membrane on mine, cost about a pound if I remember correctly, order a couple of spares in case it goes again.

[miroku1]

Replacing the entire siphon is not straight forward ( or certainly can be testing ) . If you can just swap the membrane, do it !!

[EddyP]

Sure it isn't an eco syphon in there? We've got one thats annoying but is supposed to save water, every 3rd flush is a proper flush, the others are smaller ones.

[eps]

R1gtr said:

eps said:

stevensdrs said:

MitchT said:

Strange problem. One of our toilets is playing up. Usually it's fine but occasionally it doesn't flush properly. There's very little resistance under the handle and it does a really pathetic little flush instead of a proper one. A few hours later it behaves normally again. Any ideas?

Hole in the syphon membrane. Just replace the whole syphon system as they are cheap.

or replace the membrane - even cheaper! it's what I did to mine the other month

I replaced the membrane on mine, cost about a pound if I remember correctly, order a couple of spares in case it goes again.

I ordered 2 at the time - I think it was 10p more for 2! As always it depends on the make and model of the syphon, but thankfully the whole thing was done in a matter of minutes - a really simple, cheap job and worked a treat.

[MitchT]

EddyP said:

Sure it isn't an eco syphon in there? We've got one thats annoying but is supposed to save water, every 3rd flush is a proper flush, the others are smaller ones.

No, we've been in the house for more than six years and this problem has existed on and off for a few weeks.

[eps]

MitchT said:

EddyP said:

Sure it isn't an eco syphon in there? We've got one thats annoying but is supposed to save water, every 3rd flush is a proper flush, the others are smaller ones.

No, we've been in the house for more than six years and this problem has existed on and off for a few weeks.

Same as here - I thought it was the handle, the this, the that... Checked the siphon I had in place, bought a couple of replacement diaphragms. Took mine apart - hopefully you've got some inline cut-off valves.. Switched the water off locally and opened it up, fitted it - it was really easy to do for our one. Might have even not have had to switch the water supply off to the toilet as it wasn't doing anything. Fitted, checked and it was working. I'm not a big DIYer but even I found it one of the easiest jobs to do and it was literally one or two pounds.

[MitchT]

Cheers all. Sounds positive!

[wc98]

my plumber mate never buys these even though they are cheap as chips. just carries a heavy duty polythene builders bag in the back of his van and uses the plastic frame or disc it sits in as a template to cut out a new one.