Broke the handle off the toilet this morning...
Discussion
The flushing action on the toilet has been next to useless lately and it can take multiple pulls on the handle to actually get it to flush this has ended with me snapping the handle off this morning.
Rather than just replacing the handle (again) I'd like to fix the cause of the poor flush. I'm not up to speed on all the items in a toilet cistern but the handle is attached to a metal rod which in turn pulls up some sort of plunger type affair. Anyway it looks like this is the bit that isn't sitting properly which in turn is causing the toilet to be difficult to flush.
Anyone a plumber (or know a plumber) near Leighton Buzzard? I'd wait until the weekend to sort it but Amy is on maternity leave at the moment so I properly should get it fixed before then!
Rather than just replacing the handle (again) I'd like to fix the cause of the poor flush. I'm not up to speed on all the items in a toilet cistern but the handle is attached to a metal rod which in turn pulls up some sort of plunger type affair. Anyway it looks like this is the bit that isn't sitting properly which in turn is causing the toilet to be difficult to flush.
Anyone a plumber (or know a plumber) near Leighton Buzzard? I'd wait until the weekend to sort it but Amy is on maternity leave at the moment so I properly should get it fixed before then!
How do you feel about fixing it yourself?
It should not be difficult to do.
If you feel you could have a go then take some pictures of both the inside of the cistern and the underside (round the back). Get yourself down to B&Q and find the guy working the plumbing isle. He will find you the right bits (I would recommend you replace the whole flush assembly) and explain to you how it is done.
If you get it all home and change your mind at least you have the bits for when you call in a plumber or hold a bog repair party with your mates.
Steve
It should not be difficult to do.
If you feel you could have a go then take some pictures of both the inside of the cistern and the underside (round the back). Get yourself down to B&Q and find the guy working the plumbing isle. He will find you the right bits (I would recommend you replace the whole flush assembly) and explain to you how it is done.
If you get it all home and change your mind at least you have the bits for when you call in a plumber or hold a bog repair party with your mates.
Steve
Probably the diaphragm on the syphon has split. Pretty straightforward to change if you feel confident.
The Syphon will be held in place by a large nut on the bottom of the cistern, undo that (obviously turn off the water supply and drain the cistern), remove syphon, un-hook the metal link that connects the syphon to the flush handle and you will be able to remove the plunger that holds the diaphragm in place, pop on a new diaphragm washer and re-assemble.
If this is the only toilet in your house, don't attempt it unless you are one hundred percent confident, it only takes one minor niggle to put your toilet out of use, they can be fiddly bleeders!
The Syphon will be held in place by a large nut on the bottom of the cistern, undo that (obviously turn off the water supply and drain the cistern), remove syphon, un-hook the metal link that connects the syphon to the flush handle and you will be able to remove the plunger that holds the diaphragm in place, pop on a new diaphragm washer and re-assemble.
If this is the only toilet in your house, don't attempt it unless you are one hundred percent confident, it only takes one minor niggle to put your toilet out of use, they can be fiddly bleeders!
I once replaced one like that down at my Mum's house. It was long enough ago that I can't remember exactly what was involved, but I do remember: i) that the replacement came with good instructions ii) that the job was easy peasy and didn't take long.
I have a dim recollection that the assembly was some kind of push fit in the bottom of the cistern and just wiggled out, but you might want to check what the instructions say about that before bringing it home!
I have a dim recollection that the assembly was some kind of push fit in the bottom of the cistern and just wiggled out, but you might want to check what the instructions say about that before bringing it home!
Yo Arthur!As said above, the diaphragm has almost certainly got a hole in it. This will stop the syphon technique working and normally takes a good few tries with the handle to get the toilet to flush.
You'll have to drain the cistern to fix this which is a pain in the arse. As you're taking the cistern and syphon off anyway, there are a few options open to you.
Keep current syphon, remove old split diaphragm, take down to plumbers merchants and hope they have a matching one in stock, (if not they can be cut from an old plastic bag of similar thickness). Reassemble and go from there.
Remove current syphon and replace the with a: Dudley Turbo (as mentioned above). These still use the diaphragm principal, but the diaphragm can be replaced without removing the cistern. Makes future problems easier. I'd have a guess at £10-15 for one.
...b: a dump valve option like in most new toilets. Two buttons to flush depending on number 1 or 2 ;-), no diaphragms to be seen/ go wrong. This option also replaces the conventional flush handle with a two button affair as mentioned.
You'll have to drain the cistern to fix this which is a pain in the arse. As you're taking the cistern and syphon off anyway, there are a few options open to you.
Keep current syphon, remove old split diaphragm, take down to plumbers merchants and hope they have a matching one in stock, (if not they can be cut from an old plastic bag of similar thickness). Reassemble and go from there.
Remove current syphon and replace the with a: Dudley Turbo (as mentioned above). These still use the diaphragm principal, but the diaphragm can be replaced without removing the cistern. Makes future problems easier. I'd have a guess at £10-15 for one.
...b: a dump valve option like in most new toilets. Two buttons to flush depending on number 1 or 2 ;-), no diaphragms to be seen/ go wrong. This option also replaces the conventional flush handle with a two button affair as mentioned.
mybrainhurts said:
There's something missing between the handle and the bent pieces of wire that pulls up the diaphragm.
The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Nothing missing. Handle pivots to pull the syphon up and not sideways. The handles always off centre to the syphon pull. There are normally holes for adjustment in the plastic 'arm' coming off the metal flush handle shaft, but that looks normal to me.The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
There's something missing between the handle and the bent pieces of wire that pulls up the diaphragm.
The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Nothing missing. Handle pivots to pull the syphon up and not sideways. The handles always off centre to the syphon pull. There are normally holes for adjustment in the plastic 'arm' coming off the metal flush handle shaft, but that looks normal to me.The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
mybrainhurts said:
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
There's something missing between the handle and the bent pieces of wire that pulls up the diaphragm.
The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Nothing missing. Handle pivots to pull the syphon up and not sideways. The handles always off centre to the syphon pull. There are normally holes for adjustment in the plastic 'arm' coming off the metal flush handle shaft, but that looks normal to me.The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
On new toilets both (the handle pulling at a wonky direction and the OP's original problem) are done away with.
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
There's something missing between the handle and the bent pieces of wire that pulls up the diaphragm.
The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Nothing missing. Handle pivots to pull the syphon up and not sideways. The handles always off centre to the syphon pull. There are normally holes for adjustment in the plastic 'arm' coming off the metal flush handle shaft, but that looks normal to me.The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
On new toilets both (the handle pulling at a wonky direction and the OP's original problem) are done away with.
mybrainhurts said:
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
There's something missing between the handle and the bent pieces of wire that pulls up the diaphragm.
The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Nothing missing. Handle pivots to pull the syphon up and not sideways. The handles always off centre to the syphon pull. There are normally holes for adjustment in the plastic 'arm' coming off the metal flush handle shaft, but that looks normal to me.The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
On new toilets both (the handle pulling at a wonky direction and the OP's original problem) are done away with.
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
Gingerbread Man said:
mybrainhurts said:
There's something missing between the handle and the bent pieces of wire that pulls up the diaphragm.
The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
Nothing missing. Handle pivots to pull the syphon up and not sideways. The handles always off centre to the syphon pull. There are normally holes for adjustment in the plastic 'arm' coming off the metal flush handle shaft, but that looks normal to me.The bent piece of wire should move in the vertical, not sideways like that.
On new toilets both (the handle pulling at a wonky direction and the OP's original problem) are done away with.
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