Installing or replacing the drain barrel

If you put in your house a new plumbing, including a toilet, be sure to pay attention to the accuracy and reliability of the connection of all components of the equipment. From the tightness of the joints depends on the smooth operation of the device.

A working toilet brings a high level of comfort to your home. However, any plumbing may break. Especially often troubles occur in old devices. The poor quality of the water has a destructive effect on the components of the toilet bowl drain system. Hard water with extraneous impurities gradually disables equipment. Every homeowner should know how to fix the toilet cistern.

Device flush tank

At first glance, the drainage system in the toilet looks quite simple - it is a earthenware or plastic tank that is automatically filled with water, which is then used to flush out the sewage.

The device of a two-regime drain tank with a drain column

The main components of the toilet bowl

1. Valves responsible for filling the tank with water
2. The mechanism that initiates the discharge of water from the tank (stock / lever or single / dual-mode button).

Such basic elements of the cistern are available in almost all models, even in older devices of the Soviet period. They may differ in the materials of execution and in appearance, but their main tasks: control of the set and the initiation of water flow remain the same.

The main types of toilet cistern designs are the float mechanism and the drain column.

The toilet bowl device with the lever of discharge and the float-operated mechanism

The following figure shows the device of a classic cistern with a float mechanism. These internal fittings were equipped with drain tanks of the Soviet period and are still being used on devices with a side drain lever.

All major components of the flush tank are interconnected. Damage to one element can cause damage to all equipment.

We fix the float mechanism

One of the most common breakdown mechanisms of the toilet cistern is a constant flow of water. The reason is a malfunction of the float device, which should turn off the water supply to the tank when it reaches a certain level.

The main reasons for this behavior of the float mechanism may be the following factors:

• breakdown of the water inlet valve in the tank;
• wrong position of the lever responsible for activating the drain mechanism;
• wrong float work.

In older models, inspect the float. This is a hollow plastic container. From long-term operation, cracks can form in it. Then inside the float gets water from the tank, and it sinks. Such a node is the easiest to replace - the float is usually mounted on a screw with a nut.

The device float valve in the toilet

In modern models of cisterns, there is no hollow plastic float. The inlet valve is closed by another node - a drain column, which is easier to replace as a whole. Some models of drainage columns have an adjustment mechanism that determines the level of filling of the tank and the amount of discharge water.

The device drain mechanism in modern tanks

Device drain column

Check the operation of the intake valve tank

1. To understand how well the valve closing mechanism works in the tank, examine the lever located next to the valve.
2. Drain and observe tank filling.
3. Move the rocker arm .
4. When placing the lever in a certain position, it must close the inlet valve. If the lever is bent during operation, straighten its configuration .
5. If jammed knot which provides movement of the lever, make its replacement .

Another reason for the constant drain may be the failure of the intake valve . In this case, despite the correct operation of the float mechanism, the tank is constantly filled with water and constantly drained. Valve failure may occur due to surges in water pressure in pipelines. In this case, the valve is the easiest to replace - it is a fairly simple device that can be found in almost any hardware store. Remove the valve and purchase the same.

A constant flow of water from the tank to the toilet can also occur due to the breakage of the release valve . This device should not be repaired, it is better to replace it entirely with an identical one. If, after dismantling the exhaust valve, it is found that the rubber siphon gasket is worn out, it should be replaced. This item is not expensive.

Replacing the rubber seal on the exhaust valve

What should I do if the toilet bowl is noisy?

The noise of the water filling the drain tank can cause discomfort among your household. Usually this problem occurs in the toilet cisterns with the upper supply of water. This problem is easily fixed in two ways.

1. In some models of tanks, the diameter of the inlet can be adjusted . Reduce its cross section. The tank will fill more slowly, but it will not make annoying sounds.
2. You can also slightly modify the internal reinforcement of the tank :

• find a plastic or rubber tube about 30 centimeters long;
• Install it in such a way that one end of it is dressed in the inlet, and the other is lowered to the bottom of the tank.

  Now the water will not make a "waterfall", and quietly through the tube will fill the tank capacity.

Plastic tube at the inlet to reduce the sound of water

Modern hardware galvanized (or made of stainless steel) and

supplied with plastic or metal washers and rubber gaskets

Replace the bolts to the toilet

Most models of toilet cisterns are attached to the shelf with bolts that pass through the bottom of the tank. Metal bolts are corroded and may rot over time. Water in such a case will leak through the holes, drip onto the floor.

Fastener bolts may have ears

Bolt Replacement Algorithm

1. Close the tap supplying water to the tank.
2. We drain the remaining water from the toilet cistern.
3. Dismantle the inlet valve tank.
4. We dismantle both connecting bolts securing the tank to the shelf of the toilet bowl.
5. The tank is on a rubber cuff. Raise the tank and remove the cuff. If necessary, replace it.
6. We carry out cleaning of junction points, free them from dirt.
7. We assemble the equipment in the reverse order with the insertion of new bolts. When tightening the bolts, do not apply excessive force to prevent the sanitary ware from bursting.
8. We carry out a tank performance check and no leakage.

Fixing the toilet bowl to the shelf with bolts

No water in the tank

The reason that your toilet cistern is no longer filled with water can be three types of faults.

1. At the initial stage, check the condition of the flexible hose . To do this, shut off the water, disconnect the hose from the Basque's body and open the stop valve slightly, directing the end of the hose to the toilet. From the serviceable hose water will flow. If water does not flow, the flexible supply hose must be replaced with an identical one.

Replace flexible supply hose

Side connection for flexible hose

1. Also, the cause of the non-entry of water may be clogging of the inlet valve . It may be clogged with impurities contained in tap water. You can try to clean the valve hole with a thin long object.
2. The inlet valve can, for one reason or another, fail completely . In this case, in case of unsuccessful attempts at cleaning, the valve must be completely replaced.

Change the internal fittings of the drain tank

Faults in the tank fittings can occur as an avalanche. In this case, you can not change the worn parts, and replace the internal reinforcement of the drain tank entirely. Examine the valve device available in your tank. Drain tanks with various structures of internal fittings are produced. In particular, cisterns for toilet bowls differ in the type of water supply - a flexible hose can be connected to the top, side or bottom of the cistern .

Fittings kit for cistern

We will understand how to replace the internal reinforcement on the tank with the lower water supply . To carry out these works requires a minimum set of tools: wrenches and pliers.

1. Close the shut-off valve.
2. Dismantle the water drain button. It can be unscrewed or fixed on the clips.
3. Dismantle the top cover of the drain tank.
4. Turn off the attachment of the supply hose to the drain tank and disconnect it.
5. Turning 90 degrees, remove the upper half of the drain column.
6. Turn off the bolts securing the drain tank to the toilet.
7. We put the toilet cistern on the toilet.
8. We unscrew the nuts securing the inlet valve and the drain column, dismantle the rest of the column.
9. We install the internal reinforcement of the tank and assemble the equipment in the reverse order.

Dismantle the old drain column

Installation in a tank of a new drain column

Installing a new column

1. In the empty tank is placed the drain column. It is located above the outlet.
2. Bottom drain column is fixed with a threaded cuff.
3. Above the inlet is an inlet valve with a filling adjustment mechanism.
4. The inlet valve is fixed with a thread cuff on the side of the tank bottom

Installing a new toilet cistern on the toilet

It is important to install a gasket between the tank and the bowl without tilting, do not squeeze the bolts.

Eliminate leaks in the drain tank

To eliminate leaks in the tank, you must carefully check all the places of threaded connections. You can put under them pieces of toilet paper or paper napkins, which will be visible even the smallest drops. When leaks are detected, the junction of the pipelines is reassembled using additional sealing tape.

Sealing tape for threaded pipe connections

Replace the drain tank

Any internal components of the toilet cistern can be replaced. But this can only be done if you find an identical device.

Every year tanks with new designs of internal reinforcement appear on the market, which may be incompatible with previous generations. In this case, having run around the shops, you can make a decision about buying a new tank. It is easier to resolve this issue if the toilet and the toilet bowl are made as separate structural elements in your toilet. There are models of sanitary equipment, in which the tank and the toilet bowl are made as one unit.

Replacing the toilet bowl is also subject to detection of cracks in the sanitary ware. In this case, no repair will help the case, the process of destruction is irreversible. Drying the tank and applying a thick layer of silicone sealant on the crack area can be a temporary measure.

Crack in the cistern

As you can see, the cost and duration of repairing a toilet bowl depends on the nature of the damage. Some faults can be eliminated by replacing the elements of internal reinforcement. In case of detection of cracks in the casing of the tank, or the inability to purchase suitable fittings, it will be necessary to fill up the drain tank, and, possibly, the entire toilet bowl set.