Many plumbing users are faced with such a problem as a leak. Water can leak both in the barrel itself and in the bowl. This is an unfortunate but fixable situation.
Toilet cistern: its structure and principle of operation
Before troubleshooting and troubleshooting, you need to understand the device and the principle of operation of the drain tank. Its defining function is to supply the required amount of water in order to flush the toilet bowl after use. The material for the tank can be ceramic if it comes with the bowl, or plastic and stainless steel if the tank is installed separately. A frequent breakdown of plumbing is that the toilet cistern passes water into the toilet.
The tank contains two mechanisms in its device: one takes water, the other lowers it. Both of them perform the function of a water seal. The float-type valve controls the intake of water to a certain level, after which it shuts off its supply. The flow of water into the tank can occur both through a flexible hose and through a branch pipe.
The escape mechanism can be either pear type or siphon type. The latter makes a loud noise during operation, since water is collected according to the siphon principle, while the water is drained when the button is pressed. The operation of the second mechanism is different in that when the button is pressed, the pear rises, and after the water has been drained, it again closes the drain hole. To prevent overflow of water with a pear or separately from it, protection is installed.
Modern drain mechanisms allow you to save water, as they have two modes that allow you to drain not all the liquid, but only a part, if this is enough to flush the bowl. But that's not a guarantee that there won't be a problem when the toilet cistern leaks water into the toilet.
Before starting work, you need to check which of the mechanisms is on the repaired tank. At the same time, the toilet lid should be carefully moved away, since in case of a possible breakdown it will be difficult to find this item separately for sale.
Many home masters are faced with the problem when the toilet cistern passes water into the toilet. What to do?
Leaking water in the tank: possible causes
If the plumbing is newly installed, it may leak due to improper installation. If only a few months have passed since the start of use, and a malfunction has already appeared, most likely this is due to the low quality of the fittings, and as a result, premature failure. Serious breakdowns, due to which the toilet cistern passes water into the toilet, do not occur often. They can declare themselves only after three years. The main onesare:
- toilet cistern leaks water continuously due to overflow;
- leak in the toilet itself;
- a breakdown in the drain button, when it only responds to repeated pressing.
Any of the breakdowns is subject to correction, you just need to diagnose it correctly.
Mechanical damage to the toilet bowl or cistern
Cracks in plumbing appear for several reasons. Most often, this is an incorrect installation, or the expiration date of the product. Over-tightening the bolts at the junction of the cistern and bowl will cause the ceramic to crack. If cracks have penetrated the drain tank, then it can only be repaired temporarily, but this will be enough to purchase a new one.
So, you must first drain the water, then dry the surface thoroughly, and then seal the crack with a special sealant. But with the bowl, the situation is more serious, if a crack has formed in it, for any reason, it will have to be replaced, because there are no repair options.
Water tank overflow
Often the cause of a leak is that the float in the toilet cistern is leaking water.
Excess liquid is discharged over the edge of the tank. Perhaps the point is the float lever, which has moved a little or skewed. It is necessary to inspect the float, and to do this, remove the cover. Its optimal position is 2.5 cm below the nozzle. If the float is deformed, it will not function properly, because inwater will get in. To seal a crack in the float, a sealant is suitable, but for this, the element must be pulled out and dried well. Again, sealant is not a solution, but only a temporary solution, so you will have to buy new fittings.
If the element has no defects, but the water still overflows, then it may be due to its pressure. With its high power, the float is pressed against the water, which gives it an outlet over the edge. But if the design includes a stabilizing valve, this problem will not arise.
Constant flow of water into the bowl
Another type of problem, when the toilet cistern passes water into the toilet, is associated with another - when you have to press the button several times to flush. In this case, a malfunction in the membrane. It must be rinsed with water to remove possible s alt deposits.
If this element is deformed and has cracks, then it must be replaced by doing the following: at the bottom of the barrel, find the siphon nut and loosen it, and then remove the siphon itself. After replacing the membrane, install the siphon in its original place. You should choose a membrane that is identical to the previous one. When the siphon is removed, you need to check other parts for defects. Often, polymer structures become covered with cracks, and oxides form on the metal. If the latter can be cleaned, then the plastic is not always recoverable, which will lead to a complete replacement of the tank.
The flush button does not respond
The cause of this breakdown may be a faulty traction. It can be ontime to replace with wire, and later purchase a new one.
Breakage in the locking mechanism
When the toilet cistern is leaking, leaking water into the toilet, the locking mechanism may be broken. This malfunction cannot be eliminated by replacing several parts. You need to buy a whole assembly kit, and not look for parts that are not always sold separately.
Drain button broken
One of the reasons for the formation of a leak can be digging on the tank. The return spring may become weak, causing the stem to jam, causing the drain hatch to remain open all the time. In this case, you can fix the problem by replacing the spring or the button itself.
Leak at the junction with the hose
If a leak has become noticeable where the tank connects to the flexible water hose, then the first way to eliminate it will be to tighten the connecting nut. If a thread is loose, it can be sealed, but a stripped thread or a broken hose will have to be completely replaced.
The junction of the toilet bowl and the tank: the causes of the leak
If the toilet cistern is leaking water into the toilet, replacing the rubber band can help at the junction of the cistern and bowl.
If a leak occurs in such a place, inspect the tank for cracks. If they are absent, then the cuff remains the likely cause of the breakdown. It connects the tank and the bowl. It can be made of metal or polymers. Depressurization of the joint contributes to the displacement of the cuff, troubleshooting is simple - correct the element and tighten it. Time can make a differenceon this part, so sometimes it requires a complete replacement.
The second variant of the problem lies in the rubber gasket that is located between the bowl and the tank. Incorrect installation leads to its displacement. Over time, this part also fails, cracks and deforms. If there are no changes on it, then it must be carefully put in place and the bolts tightened. Insufficiently tightened nuts on them can cause a leak, but you don’t need to overdo it in this matter, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the ceramics.
Condensation
Often a wet spot appears under the tank due to the formation of condensate on its surface. This is due to the fact that there is a difference between the air temperature in the room and the temperature in the tank. You can eliminate this trouble by improving the air exchange in the room, as well as by using a two-level drain.
Conclusion
There are not so many reasons for a leak in the toilet bowl. If you know them and follow the instructions for elimination, then even a non-professional can handle this. The main thing is to act confidently and carefully, then the plumbing will last for a long time.
