No apartment or private house can do without installing plumbing. It happens that failures occur in its work, for example, the toilet bowl is leaking. What to do in this case, how to solve the problem, is described below. It is very important that all repairs can be done by yourself.
Toilet parts
All tanks consist of almost the same elements. They differ only in the mechanism of descent of water. It can be represented by one or two buttons, as well as a lever. Important tank details are:
- Fill valve. It keeps the water at a certain level.
- Float. Closes the supply valve (when there is enough water).
- Drain mechanism. It is equipped with an overflow system.
- Overflow. It regulates the maximum water level.
The descent is made either manually or by buttons. At the same time, the drain valve opens, allowing water to pass through, and the float drops. The two-button tank has a more complex structure. However, it saves water due to the possibility of partial draining. Also today there are toilet bowls with a lower connection of communications. They are used when side connection is not possible.
Faulty tank
Everyone who has a leaky toilet bowl faces various related problems. Most often among them are the following:
- Faults in the drain button.
- Leaking tank or bowl.
- Water filling too noisy.
- Continuous supply from the water supply.
- Constant leakage from the tank into the bowl or onto the floor.
- Water only comes on after a few button presses.
All these faults are fairly easy to fix. Therefore, the most important task is to determine the cause of the problem.
Main reasons
To understand why the toilet bowl is leaking, you need to open its lid and carefully examine the inside. Most often, water is drained through the overflow hole, which is associated with improper operation of the float valve. During operation, the rubber gasket hardens and cannot tightly cover the hole. Also, cracks sometimes form in the valve body. This is typical for plastic parts. If, under normal condition, the gasket is not pressed into place, then this may be due to unevenness of the lever, cracks in the float, destruction of the stud that holds the lever to the valve. Also, the problem will appear when the hole in which the pin is located is deformed.
Problems while draining
If the toilet cistern flows after pressing the drain button, then it is necessary to check the drain structure. This usually indicates a check valve problem. She is easily resolved. You need to grab it with your hand and press a little. It probably doesn't fit snugly. It is important to replace the old gasket with a new one.
When the drain button is displaced, a gap is formed between the valve and the hole, resulting in a leak. We need to fix the design. It is necessary to return the button to the correct position and tighten the fasteners holding the tank. The toilet cistern flows when the outer nut holding the bottom is loose. In this case, the tightness is broken. This is eliminated by replacing the gasket or nut. For minor violations, you can use a regular sealant.
Leaks through overflow
Before fixing the problem, first check the valve and float. Most likely, there was a displacement or distortion of the lever. The reason may be the presence of liquid in the float. In this case, you need:
- Remove the float and drain the water from it.
- Dry it and seal any cracks with epoxy.
- Put the float back.
When the toilet cistern flows due to the float valve, the following manipulations must be done:
- Empty the tank.
- Disconnect the fitting from the plumbing.
- Remove lever and retaining nuts.
- Remove valve.
- Install the new part and secure it.
- Turn on the water supply and check the quality of the drain.
If there are problems with the siphon membrane, then it will have to be updated:
- Drain all the water. Tie the float arm to any fixed part (bar, additional board).
- Remove the nut holding the cistern and flush pipe.
- Loosen the nut at the bottom of the tank. Disconnect the siphon and pull it out.
- Install a new membrane and return all elements to their place.
Leaks between cistern and toilet
It happens that the tank does not overflow, and water flows from the tank into the toilet. Usually the problem is with the connecting bolt. It is made of steel, so over time it rusts and leaks. You need to carefully inspect this area and replace the fasteners if necessary.
Work is performed as follows:
- Turn off the water and empty the tank.
- Disconnect the water pipe.
- Unscrew the bolts. If they are rusted, they are cut down with a hacksaw.
- Push back the tank and pull out the shelf from the cuff.
- Drain remaining water and remove all rust.
- Change gaskets and bolts.
- Set all items back.
Flowing from the tank to the floor
Over time, the gasket between the bowl and the tank may shift. Then it will have to be tightened with clamps (adhesive tape, plumbing tape). It is necessary to unwind the fasteners and evaluate the integrity of the rubber parts. If there is damage (cracking, hardening), they will have to be replaced. Dry the working pads. They are covered with sealant and installed in place.
To repair the toilet, you should choose gaskets made of rubber, silicone, polyurethane. Flexible and elastic products are considered to be of higher quality. They do a great job of sealing. They should not have sags and cracks. In addition, they should be easy to crumple in the hands. It is possible that none of the solutions to the problem will work. Then you have to replace the plumbing fixture.
Features of repairing toilets with different flushing systems
In modern tanks, water can go down in different ways. Therefore, the repair of such toilets is slightly different. They understand quite simply. But the push-button system requires careful handling. Before disassembling the one-button toilet, it is necessary to turn off the water, drain its remnants, unscrew the plastic nut and remove the lid. The next steps depend on the type of failure. If the toilet bowl with the button is leaking, you need to draw some water into it, inspect the float and, if necessary, correct it.
One-Button Design Issues:
- Water is not washed off when the button is pressed. This may be due to a broken mechanism between it and the drain valve. This part is usually replaced with copper wire or a new valve installed.
- Flowing through the overflow. The height of the float and overflow is adjustable. To do this, the nut is unscrewed and the level of the part changes.
- Constant flow into the bowl. Most likely the gasket has failed. Therefore, the entire valve will have to be replaced. Necessaryunscrew the nut at the bottom of the tank, remove it and install a new element.
Repairing a two-button toilet is practically no different from its one-button counterpart. If the water does not drain, then the integrity of the elements is checked (they are straightened or replaced with copper wire). Leaks can be caused by an incorrect position of the drain valve. In this case, the height of the float or overflow changes.
Tanks with a bottom water connection are equipped with a special membrane valve, problems with which may occur due to low water pressure. If it is constantly supplied at low pressure, it will be necessary to replace the diaphragm with a rod element. Quite often, the toilet bowl flows in the area of the inlet valve. He is constantly in the water. Therefore, insufficient tightness leads to breakdowns. Repair of a system with a lower connection is carried out in stages. First, turn off the water, remove the lid. Then they fix the problem according to the algorithms described above.
Prevention
In order for the toilet to serve as long as possible without breakdowns, it is necessary to periodically carry out preventive measures. The bowl and tank need a thorough cleaning (at least weekly). From the tank will have to remove debris and plaque. The condition of the fittings and all fittings should also be monitored. Toilets are “afraid” of mechanical damage and sudden temperature changes. If you remember this, you can extend the life of the entire system. If leaks nevertheless appear, then simplebreakdowns, and only then serious problems are solved. When the toilet cistern is leaking, you can fix everything yourself. A fairly simple design is repaired without any tool. Thus, you will save on calling a specialist and enjoy a successful repair.
