Toilet cisterns & flush tank operation FAQs: questions and answers on how flush toilets work and how to fix them.

This article series describes the different types and models of toilets: historical or old toilet types, wooden high wall-tank toilets, conventional reservoir tank toilets, low-flush toilets, water saving toilets, back-flush toilets, up-flush toilets, and even chemical toilets. Here we explain how to diagnose and repair problems with toilets, leaks, flushes, odors, noises, running and wasted water.

Q&A on Toilet Tank-Reservoir (Cistern) Flush Toilets & How They Work

These questions and answers about the basics of how flush toilets work and how to fix them were posted originally

at TOILET FLUSH OPERATION - please check out the explanations given there.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-12-09 by (mod) - on flushing water does not wash the toilet properly

Raz

In the ARTICLE INDEX near the end of this article you will see a series of instruction articles on how to clear a clogged toilet or slow flush toilet.

Please take a look at those for the most complete advice. Generally you're either going to clear a clogged drain or adjust the volume of water used in the flush.

On 2018-12-09 by Razvan

When I flush , the water does not wash the toilet properly because it swirls and does not push the feces and the toilet paper down the drain. What should I do? Thank you !

On 2018-11-27 by (mod) -

Alvin,

If going through the toilet flush diagnostic steps

in TOILET FLUSH OPERATION

did not solve the problem I would look next at the volume and check both the flush volume and the actual volume in the toilet bowl before the flush. That's the next article in this series and you'll see the live Link at the continue reading recommendation above.

You'll see we also have a separate article on power flush toilets.

On 2018-11-27 by Alvin

We have a toilet that is supposed to be a power flush, a bladder fits down over an air tube, there is no actuator (been reading on the internet about those). It has good water pressure and all, but won't flush on down the drain. Does not overflow either.

We have used a snake to look for clogs, etc. Suggestions?

On 2018-11-02 by (mod) - lifting rod in my cistern has become stuck.

Phil

I suspect the problem is in the flush lever assembly. I've seen that happen when the flush lever rotates and gets jammed in the hole through which it protrudes into cistern (or flush tank on a toilet).

These parts are rather generic and inexpensive. I'd replace the whole assembly.

Unscrew the nut holding the flush lever on the inside of the cistern - it may rotate clockwise to unscrew - opposite of normal. Remove, replace.

On 2018-11-02 by Phil Bell

Hi,

The lifting rod in my cistern has become stuck. There is a little bit of upward movement but if I try to push it down it remains rigid.

The rod is connected to the internal arm of the external handle via a double hook. Is there something obvious I am missing in trying to sort this out or do I need to replace any parts.

Any and all assistance gratefully accepted. Many thanks for your time.

On 2017-03-18 by (mod) -

OK so find any spot where you can fit the device- making sure that it won't block movement of the controls in the tank.

I gave my objections and worries about these products earlier;

Try a scrub brush and Bar Keeper's Friend scouring powder.

On 2017-03-17 by Mary

Thank you so much, but there is no room to drop it beside the trays.

I tied, but it fell ointo the second tray and it took using a big serving spoon's handle and a back scratcher to get it back out.

I left it in the top tray under the arm thing and that holds it there, but the water off course is gone after every flush so it can't be getting to much "medicine" into the toilet. I can't get rid of the ring left in the bowl.

On 2017-03-17 by (mod) -

Mary,

I've used those toilet cleaning tablets and based on that I do not recommend them. Typical products contain a disinfectant, usually bleach in a solid form that, if the toilet isn't flushed frequently, can eat up and destroy rubber and plastic parts in the toilet tank, leading to flush valve failures, running toilet, leaks.

But if you're going to bet I'm wrong, dropping a tablet in the outermost area of water in the toilet tank will be fine.

As the tablet dissolves its chemicals will spread through the tank's chambers.

Getting more water flow - that is improving the toilet flush is a separate question from using a cleaning tablet; if that's a problem at your toilet, search InspectApedia (use the Search box just above)

for TOILET FLUSHES POORLY

On 2017-03-17 by Mary

I live in an apartment. I bought cleaning tablets to drop in the tank, but when I got the top off I discovered a weird multilevel system consisting of three levels of plastic trays in there. I can't see the bottom trays clearly but they both have just a little water in them.

The top tray is like an inside canoe bottom. On flushing, I saw it tip and empty, then fill up again.

There is a contraption over the top tray with a black "box" that rises and falls with the water level.

I assume this thing is meant to save water, but what the heck is it, and where would I drop the tablet?

Is there a way for me to get more water flow without dissembling it? Thank you for any help.

On 2017-02-20 by (mod) -

Look for a clogged, loose, or disconnected tube that sends water into the bowl through the overflow tube while the cistern is filling.

On 2017-02-20 by Frank

After a flush, the cistern fills up properly, but the bowl only fills up 1/3 to 1/2 of the normal water line.

When I turn off the water source and then turn it back on, the toilet operates as it should. What could be the problem?

On 2016-12-16 by RICHARD

I HAVE A FLUSH KING THAT FILLS WITH A RISING ROD I AM NOT GETTING A FLOW ONLY A TRICKLE TO FILL WHAT DO I DO TO FIX THIS

On 2016-07-08 by (mod) -

Unusual problem but not unique, Pete. It's possible that the main water passage into the bowl is partly obscured.

1. Check that the tank fills just to the FILL LINE marked inside the tank cistern/reservoir.

2. With water into the toilet shut off, flush it and lift the flapper valve and look into the bowl passage for blockage

3. Try replacing the flapper valve and check that the pull chain is properly adjusted. There are some newer toilet flapper valves that include a dial that lets you adjust the flush strength and duration - I'd try one of those.

On 2016-07-07 by Pete

when we flush the toilet, the water is entering the bowl so fast from the front holes under the rim, that the water is splashing up on the rim and seat. How do I fix this.

On 2016-05-23 by Anonymous

Thanks for the answering. Fill valve doesn't stick. I checked on that. Float isn't in "up" position.

My theory now is that my new flush valve is a bit stiffer that the old, or, may be ,a tolerance stack-up plays a role.

So, if all the water is let out of the tank, there is not enough pressure on the top of the valve to sufficiently hermetically close it. The water leaks down into the bowl and the tank does not fill.

I will try to play with water level adjustment. My bet is that nobody will try to let all the water out of the tank to fully empty it, if flashing will work more vigorously.
Regards
Igor

On 2016-05-23 by (mod) -

Igor, the flush valve is physically separate from the fill valve on most toilet designs; Your fill valve may be sticking; if you can't free it by gently moving it up and down a few times it may be debris clogged and need replacement.

Check also to see if your fill valve is one of the new Fluidmaster models that includes a tank leak protection device; that will latch the float in the "up" position if the fill valve is not properly installed.

On 2016-05-23 by Igor

I just replaced a broken flasher valve for a brand new one of the same part number.

Now I have an intermittent problem: the tank doesn't fill after flushing. If I add some water to cover the valve it works fine. Testing several times passes.

When it doesn't work, I can't see any leaking from tank into bowl.

I also noticed, that if I watch the time I hold the lever down just enough to flash and don't keep it too long, the cycle works normally.

However, if over-holding the lever and the tank empties fully, I have a problem. Any adjustment recommendations? Thanks

On 2016-03-27 by (mod) -

Laksmi

We need to first find exactly what is leaking, then we know what to repair.

If the toilet is running - you will hear it, see condensation on the tank, or see water running into the bowl, that may require a simple adjustment or maybe replacement of the flapper valve

- search InspectApedia.com for TOILET RUNS CONTINUOUSLY

But toilets can also leak at the gaskets in the tank bottom, around the flush flapper valve (beneath it), or between the under-side of the toilet tank and the top of the toilet base or bowl, or at the bolts that mount the tank to the bowl.

If water is leaking onto the floor rather than into the bowl of the toilet, I suspect leaks are at the tank mounting bolts.

Sometimes gentle hand tightening of the bolts will stop such a leak. If not the toilet water supply is shut off, the tank is emptied, the old bolts are removed, and new bolts and gaskets installed.

Take care not to over-tighten the toilet tank mounting bolts or you can crack or break the tank - causing a worse flood and more costs than ever.

On 2016-03-27 0 by lakshmi

what should be done to water leakage from the flush tank in wc

...

Continue reading  at TOILET FLUSH OPERATION or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR - home.

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TOILET FLUSH OPERATION FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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