A Leaking Toilet Starts As A Slow Drip But Rapidly Increases in Annoyance

Leaking toilet issues often go unnoticed until the sound of the cistern constantly refilling throughout the night disrupts your sleep. Although it may not be an emergency, a leaking toilet is a problem that won’t resolve itself and requires prompt attention.

If you’re dealing with a sleep-depriving leaking toilet, don’t hesitate to call Whywait Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers are ready to address the issue quickly and effectively to let you sleep.

Toilets contain numerous valves, seals, mechanisms, and components that deteriorate over time. From broken flush pipe seals to malfunctioning cistern valves, it’s crucial to repair toilet issues as soon as they arise. Ignoring a faulty toilet will only lead to more problems down the line.

Common leaking and malfunctioning toilet cistern issues include:

Slow-filling toilet cistern

Continuously running toilet cistern

Non-flushing toilet

Broken cistern tap

While there may be other obscure toilet repair issues, these are our most frequent problems.

At Whywait Plumbing, our service vehicles are stocked with an extensive range of parts to repair the most common toilet makes and models. We carry cistern isolation valves, service pipes, inlet valves, outlet washers, and rubber seals, allowing us to fix your toilet on the spot in most cases!

Decoding Your Toilet Cistern: A Guide to Its Parts

With a wide variety of toilet suites, toilets, and cisterns available in Australia, it can be challenging to identify each one specifically. However, they all operate using the same essential components: water inlet and flush valves.

The image below highlights the two main valves in every toilet cistern, although their configurations may vary. For example, some cisterns may not have a separate overflow, instead incorporating it into the flush valve. Here are the primary functions of these components:

• Water Inlet Valve: This valve is always a float valve that automatically allows water into the cistern. It can be installed on either the left or right side of the cistern and is connected to an external cistern tap beneath it, typically with a flexihose or chrome copper in older homes.
• Dual Flush Valve: This valve releases water as either a half flush or a full flush into the toilet bowl when you push the buttons on the lid to flush the toilet.
• Overflow: Although not a valve, the overflow is an essential safety feature that prevents water levels in the cistern from getting too high. Excess water inside the cistern can overflow directly into the toilet bowl.

Experiencing a Slow-Filling Toilet Cistern? Here’s What You Need to Know

A slow-filling toilet cistern often becomes noticeable during peak morning usage when the cistern takes too long to fill, preventing it from being flushed. This issue typically points to a faulty water inlet valve, but it could also be caused by a malfunctioning cistern tap or an issue with the water supply.

Water Continuously Running into Your Toilet Bowl? Let’s Identify the Problem

The sound of water continuously running into your toilet bowl can be incredibly annoying, especially when it causes the water inlet valve to turn on and off throughout the night. As the water level in the cistern decreases, the valve activates, and water enters the bowl. This issue typically results from a faulty dual flush valve or a malfunctioning water inlet valve. In some cases, both valves may be faulty and leaking.

To put the problem into perspective, a toilet cistern can leak around 30 litres per hour, which amounts to 720 litres per day or 5040 litres per week. This constant leakage could cost you an additional $24.30 per week, making it crucial to address the problem as soon as possible.

Toilet Not Flushing Away Contents of the Bowl? Let’s Troubleshoot the Issue

Experiencing a toilet that doesn’t flush away the contents of the bowl after being used can be quite embarrassing, especially when you have guests over, resulting in an unpleasant and smelly situation. In most cases, users try to resolve this issue by repeatedly flushing and waiting for the cistern to refill.

A weak or low flush of water from the cistern can be caused by both valves being defective. A faulty dual flush valve may not be operating correctly, or a malfunctioning water inlet valve could be slow to let water in. Additionally, incorrect water level settings can also contribute to the problem. This issue may eventually lead to a blocked toilet if not addressed promptly.