VT Supporter mjmooney Posted March 3, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) No, Rob, not THAT. [emoji4] Don't know if we already have one of these, if so mods please merge. A place to share hints and tips on household problems and fixes. Starting with a plumbing one of mine. Our toilet cistern has an endless, slight trickle into the bowl. YouTube videos suggest this is valve-related, but are unclear on how to fix. My suspicion is that something needs adjusting, rather than replacing. Inside of the cistern looks like this: The white cylinder moves freely, and it at its maximum height - which appears to be not QUITE enough to lower the water level sufficiently to stop it flowing into the tube on the left. I was wondering if it's to do with the serrated 'teeth' on the white plastic bit - could they be adjusted by one notch to fix the height? They seem to be pretty tightly fitted, though. Any plumbers on here? Edited March 3, 2015 by mjmooney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapal_fan Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Move house, it sounds like that leak is caused by a load bearing valve. It leaking will likely mean lots of future trouble with your soffits. Unless you can unhinge the main raw plug in the mains box, you're ****. Your best bet, if you're feeling brave enough is to get 4 3/4" screw nails and knock them adjacently to how you're stood. The put the A frame over the V frame and connect the skyhooks, bang, jobs a good'un - I think.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakemineVanilla Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Try: Make sure float is not catching on side of tank - split pin might be worn or hole Renew the valve washer Renew nozzle which seats on washer Fit a new ball-cock assembly - the thread will probably be different (might need adapter) Lower pressure of water going in Increase upward pressure on lever by fitting larger float (ball) Edited March 3, 2015 by MakemineVanilla 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter mjmooney Posted March 3, 2015 Author VT Supporter Share Posted March 3, 2015 Hmmm, thanks MMV. I was hoping not to have to replace anything. I don't think upward pressure on the 'ball' (actually a cylinder) would help, as it is already at the top of its 'play'. There is a pressure valve on the pipe outside the cistern. I assume that tightening the screw (clockwise) decreases pressure, and vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakemineVanilla Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Hmmm, thanks MMV. I was hoping not to have to replace anything. I don't think upward pressure on the 'ball' (actually a cylinder) would help, as it is already at the top of its 'play'. There is a pressure valve on the pipe outside the cistern. I assume that tightening the screw (clockwise) decreases pressure, and vice versa? The flapper seal explained below sounds the way to go. Edited March 3, 2015 by MakemineVanilla Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter choffer Posted March 3, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted March 3, 2015 Check your flapper seal, Mike. Pretty sure I raised a similar question here years ago. The flapper seal is the rubber bit at the bottom that stops the water going through the system (or not, as the case may be). I live in a hard water area and basically limescale had built up around the seal. A quick scrub with a soft scourer cleared it right up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrenm Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 It's not the ball or float valve, it's the siphon / flush valve. They used to be siphon valves but now just lift up and allow the water to flow into the bowl. When they don't close properly water steadily trickles into the bowl. Just get a new big bit in the middle (flush valve) but generally they're specific for the cistern. Therefore it's either service the one you have or get a new toilet. To service drain all of the water out by switching the water off, flushing, and mopping up the last bit with towels etc. Once dry try vacuuming around the valve and cleaning the rubber seal. You may find bits of top deck or silicone in there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakemineVanilla Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Check your flapper seal, Mike. Pretty sure I raised a similar question here years ago. The flapper seal is the rubber bit at the bottom that stops the water going through the system (or not, as the case may be). I live in a hard water area and basically limescale had built up around the seal. A quick scrub with a soft scourer cleared it right up. There are a few videos on Youtube on getting access to the flapper seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp65 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 'Brain of Britain' my arse. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter mjmooney Posted March 3, 2015 Author VT Supporter Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) I was waiting for that, Chris! [emoji1] Anyhow, bollocks to it, I'll get a plumber. Feel free to carry on with the thread, though! Edited March 3, 2015 by mjmooney 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrenm Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 By the way, this thread is great for me. I'm amazing at diy. This is me stripping down the washer dryer and changing the drum bearing How to load a tub into a Zanussi washing machine: http://youtu.be/YmCwyzB-MFk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Stevo985 Posted March 3, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted March 3, 2015 Looks like aids to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapal_fan Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Looks like aids to me Don't bother, it's wasted on them mate.. completely wasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator blandy Posted March 3, 2015 Moderator Share Posted March 3, 2015 Absolutely wonderful! Take six bottles of the six back, stand up straight Then bend down and scratch the carpet for insects And if you find any, put the insects into the jar Then check the clamp on the jar and take six steps back Ensure the hook clamp is on the jar and that's the aphid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meath_Villan Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Doing a 40 square foot patio ....an not sure If I should go dry mix cement or hire a cement mixer and go wet mix ....any one work with the dry method (letting the sands own dampness to set the mix) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PompeyVillan Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Ball cock... flapper seal...tee hee... wet mix... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Stevo985 Posted April 28, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted April 28, 2015 I want to do a patio this summer as well. Haven't got the foggiest idea where to start. I already have a concrete base for it though (used to be a garage in my garden) so I'm assuming that's a good thing... I'll probably just pay somebody to do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villaglint Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) I layed a brick path recently using the dry mix all seemed to go fine! No idea the pros and cons of each I just did what my builder father in law told me. Edited April 28, 2015 by villaglint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risso Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 DIY? DIE I call it. Pay somebody to do it I reckon, or else you're effectively stealing the food from the mouths of an honest tradesman's family. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter choffer Posted April 28, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted April 28, 2015 DIY? DIE I call it. Pay somebody to do it I reckon, or else you're effectively stealing the food from the mouths of an honest tradesman's family. I love a bit of DIY but invariably I end up paying someone to come in and rectify the mess I've made. Best of both worlds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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