Toilet repair

Drain tank device

If you need to repair the toilet cistern, then the first thing to do is to study the internal structure. The installed tank can have a top or side water supply, but this factor does not affect the constituent elements of the system. So, a tank designed to drain water consists of:

a housing that can be mounted on a toilet bowl (compact toilet bowl), mounted in a wall (used for hanging toilet bowls) or located on a wall above the toilet bowl. To install the tank on the toilet, a special rubber gasket is used;

Sealing ring for installing the tank on the toilet

the body of the tank, which is part of the compact system, is attached to the toilet bowl with special bolts located at the bottom of the tank. Fastening is made through sealing gaskets;
on the tank there is a trigger lever designed to flush water into the toilet. The lever can also be made in the shape of a button;

Drain tank equipped with a button for flushing water

when the trigger lever is actuated, the drain mechanism starts to work, in the lower part of which a special valve is installed, which does not allow water to flow into the toilet when it is not working;
after the water is lowered to the bottom of the tank, a float is lowered, which is responsible for determining the water level in the tank;
when the water level is insufficient, the float opens a certain tap (inlet valve in some designs), through which water enters the tank.

Toilet cistern fittings

To gain access to the internal fittings of the tank, you need to remove the cover of the device. Usually it is attached with a trigger lever.

How to repair a toilet

The main signs of a toilet failure are water flowing from the tank into the toilet, an inactive start button, a toilet leaking, noisy operation, and so on. At the same time, all these malfunctions can be classified into two types - a breakdown of the tank and a toilet leak. Do-it-yourself toilet repair, using our video, which can clearly demonstrate breakdowns and how to fix them.

If you notice that the water flows continuously, then most likely the reason is in the float lever, it is either warped or displaced.

This problem is fixed very simply, you just need to fix the lever into place.

If this is not the cause of the leak, check the float, because due to the slightest damage it could fill with water. This leads to a weighting of the float and, accordingly, it does not block the access of water.

To fix such a problem, you need to remove the float and find damage on it (water will flow out from there).
Then drain all the water from the float, plug the hole and put the float back.

Do-it-yourself toilet repair can also be done in case of breakage of the flush button. Often the breakage of the button is due to a damaged traction.

Therefore, it is worth removing the broken traction and installing either temporary or completely new traction in its place.
If no measures help to eliminate the breakdown, then it is necessary to replace the entire mechanism of the tank, you can also do this yourself.

Toilet bowl broken

Breakage of the toilet bowl is quite rare, but very unpleasant. Often they consist in the absence of a tight fixation of the toilet bowl to the floor, or in the flow of drain pipes.

Before fixing the toilet bowl or repairing pipes, you need to carefully examine both the toilet bowl and the cistern.
Only after you have found the unmistakable cause of the leak can you start repair work.

Installation and repair of a toilet lid with a microlift

Before mounting the microlift cover on the toilet (suspended, floor, corner), you need to make sure that their fastenings match. The installation diagram of this product is similar to a conventional toilet seat:

Four rubber inserts are inserted into the molded recesses located on the underside of the seat. This ensures a soft fit between the seat and the ceramic body of the toilet.

In order for the cover to fit softly against the seat, two rubber inserts are inserted into it.
The seat and lid are connected to each other using a plastic sleeve, with the subsequent installation of a mounting bolt in it, connecting the fittings to the toilet bowl itself.
An adjusting cup is screwed onto the fixing bolt, which makes it possible to adjust the height and uniform fit of the seat to the toilet. On top is a rubber gasket that comes with the seat.
The resulting structure is connected to the body of the plumbing fixture by inserting the mounting bolts into the appropriate holes.
Plastic nuts are screwed onto the fixing bolts from the underside of the toilet, which allows the seat to be rigidly fastened to the toilet. A tighter fit of the seat is achieved by metal adjusting cups.

In addition, there is a "demo version" of the seat with a microlift. It is represented by a removable seat with a cover with a "soft lowering" mechanism. A lighter version of the toilet lid with a microlift is carried out by means of two adjustable stainless steel hinges, which are resistant to chemical and mechanical damage. Thanks to these hinges, it is possible to adjust and install the seat on the toilet. The "Click and Clack" locking system facilitates and simplifies the process of cleaning the toilet bowl. By pressing the button located on the inside of the hinge, you can release the seat from the nozzle and remove it from the toilet. To install the seat in its original place, you must also press the hinge button located on the inside.

The lift system has a faster wear rate than conventional toilet systems. It works on the principle of a door “closer”, and if it is closed manually, the toilet lid microlift breaks. At the same time, the microlift can retain the ability to move, but creaks when lowered, although in the normal state this process occurs without noise. In addition, the lid can slam against the toilet bowl, which can lead to pinholes and cracks in the plumbing fixture.

In order to know how to fix the toilet lid microlift, it is necessary to correctly establish the cause of the breakdown. Perhaps there was a detachment and rotation of the base with the lift mechanism from the toilet bowl. The lift mechanism is connected to the back of the cover with two plastic bolts, screwed from below with nuts. These nuts must be unscrewed, in case of breakage of the bolts, they must be replaced. After that, the toilet lid is reinstalled. With tight fastening of the nuts, the cover is well fixed and will not hang out. Complications of this process may be associated with the inability to reach the nuts without removing the toilet. To do this, the device must be unscrewed from the floor, disconnected from the drain, put the lid back in place and reinstall the toilet bowl. This process can contribute to problems with the tank.

For installation and repair of the toilet lid microlift, it is advisable to use the services of professional plumbers. As practice shows, the repair of such a device is almost impossible. It will be more expedient to replace the broken seat with a new one.

Common drain tank failures

The most common failure is the continuous filling and leakage of water from the tank. The reason for this is the following factors:

float tilt;
the float mechanism does not work;
loose shut-off valve, old rubber seal.

The easiest way to solve the first problem, because in this case the toilet will not even require repair of the drain tank - just open the lid and adjust the float.Also, sometimes the shut-off valve does not fit into place, it is also enough just to put it manually into the recess.

The next problem is that the water fills the tank to the limit and does not stop. To check the mechanism, lift the float up to the stop. If the water does not stop, then the float mechanism will need to be replaced.

And the last point is the old sealant. It is very simple to determine such a breakdown: you just need to press the valve with your hand. If the water stops, you will have to replace the seal. Also, sometimes this is due to the too low weight of the locking mechanism. In this case, weights are added inside to make it heavier.

Another common failure is associated with a worn float. Its tightness is broken, and it does not float well, so the water in the tank does not rise to the desired level. You will need to replace the fittings of the drain tank, but you can also fix the float with your own hands. To do this, its hole is sealed with sealant, glue, heated plastic or any other material at hand. You can also look into a plumbing store, perhaps there will be an analogue of this float.

Not very often, but there are such breakdowns with the tank as: leakage of the tank mounting bolts and failure of the water supply valve. To eliminate them, it is enough to change the gaskets and buy a new valve.

The video shows how to repair a toilet cistern with your own hands:

Usually, repairs come down to a maximum of replacing fittings, and this can be done on your own without calling a plumber. The main thing is to choose a quality product and the right size, and then the sound of dripping and gathering water will not interfere.

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Structural device microlift

The microlift is on sale together with a cover of a toilet bowl. It cannot be purchased separately. Toilet lids equipped with closers are made of plastic or its modern counterpart, Duroplast. This polymer, although outwardly it looks like plastic, is closer in quality to ceramics.

The material for the manufacture of seats equipped with a microlift is duroplast - a modified polymer that can maintain a stable temperature under thermal exposure.

Fix the device to the toilet in a rigid way. But to ensure the smooth operation of the mechanism, the device can be equipped with a function that provides air damping. To do this, the seat is supplemented with special compartments that are filled with cushioned silicone.

A rod that securely fixes a rigid plastic installation.
A spring whose force balances the weight of the structure.
Hinged micro-lift mechanism that provides a change in the position of the cover.
Lid and seat made of durable polymer.

In more expensive functional systems, the basis of the mechanism is not springs and rods, but pistons and cylinders. Structures of this type are classified as non-separable.

Smooth closing / opening of the mechanism and fixation of the toilet lid in the desired position is provided by a micro-lift hinged mechanism equipped with a spring

Functional systems, in which seats and covers are complemented by a built-in microlift, are produced by many manufacturers of sanitary equipment. If desired, you can purchase and install a universal device that can provide several functions at once:

adjusting the temperature of the incoming water;
the possibility of heating the seat;
high-quality washing, enema and massage;
extraction of an unpleasant odor, followed by deodorization.

Many models are often equipped with a convenient self-cleaning function, thereby minimizing the participation of households in the process of using a plumbing fixture.

Toilet cistern device how to fix it yourself

Breakage of the drain tank is a problem that everyone has encountered. The first thing we do when we discover this trouble is to call the plumber. This is the right decision if you do not understand anything about plumbing and you do not have any tools in the house. But if your hands are growing out of the right place, and there is a wrench in the closet, then why not try to repair the cistern yourself? After all, doing repairs yourself, you save money and improve your skills. How is the drain tank arranged, what kind of breakdowns does it have, and most importantly, to repair it? You will find answers to these questions in our article.

Sealing cuff between the tank and the toilet shelf

In such cases, the mounting bolts are unscrewed, the tank is removed. The cuff can be plastic, metal, rubber. During operation, it can:

Move. In this case, it needs to be corrected.
Deform. Replace with a new one.

Next, the tank is installed in place. To increase the level of sealing, you can walk along the joint with silicone sealant.

Often a situation occurs when the toilet bowl leaks due to an incorrectly adjusted position of the float. There may be several reasons:

The float arm has moved and is catching on something. Exit - fix, check the serviceability.
Float not adjusted. Raise the device slightly with your hands. The leak is gone - fix the position. In some devices, this is done by bending the float spokes, in modern ones, by threaded regulation.
Float tightness broken. Pour water out of it and place in a bag. This is a temporary solution. For capital - should be replaced with a new one or seal the hole. Fortunately, the assortment of glue allows you to do this.

Float problems are often the cause of water constantly leaking into the toilet from the tank. As you can see, solving it is quite simple. What to do if manipulations with the float did not give a positive effect? The cause may be a broken check valve. In such cases, the design changes completely.

Most often, a malfunction of such a plan is due to deformation of the membrane. The water supply is shut off. The storage tank is emptied, the fittings for the drain tank are removed. Unscrew the siphon nuts, remove the membrane. Visually checked for integrity and deformation. If necessary, a new one is purchased and a replacement is made. The old product should be taken with you to the store. This will help you choose the right spare part from the abundance of the range. A damaged membrane can cause a non-functioning drain button (when water begins to flow into the toilet after a few clicks).

Flush valve for toilet

In this case, experts recommend purchasing a new one and installing it. If a decision is made to repair the existing one, then it should be disassembled and the gap between the drain hatch and the pipe should be adjusted. To do this, file the last one. To do this job well, you need to be patient. Otherwise, the breakdown will not be repaired. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the old toilet flush valve with a new one. There is another situation. Very often, the cause of a toilet cistern leaking is a crack in the valve body. In such cases, it will also be easiest and most economical to replace the old one with a new one. To do this, the cracked part must be taken with you. Because the modern plumbing market offers a wide range of drain mechanisms.

How to get rid of noise when filling the tank

Most designs to reduce the level of water noise provide for the installation of a special downpipe, through which water is discharged to the bottom of the tank when filling.

First of all, check its installation. If the tube is asleep, then put it on the fitting near the filling hydraulic valve. In that case, such a tube is missing, then try to find the required diameter and install it.

Another way to get rid of loud noise when filling is to reduce the flow rate of the supplied liquid. This can be done by turning off the tap on the water connection line or by installing a narrowing washer on the hose fitting.

Button jamming

With such a breakdown, the drain is fixed in one position. So the toilet tank is leaking. What to do in this situation? The cover is removed, it is checked because of which the mechanism is jammed. Often the drain mechanism is checked for the following features:

System blockage. Cleared from plaque.
Stuck stock. The cause of jamming is identified and eliminated. If necessary, change to a new one.
The return spring has weakened (the connecting ring on the lever has deformed). To be replaced.
Broken or deformed traction system. It can be made from improvised means, for example, wire. But this will be a temporary solution to the problem. Because during subsequent operation, the wire will bend over time and you will have to repeat the procedure again.

Of course, before the breakdown is repaired, the water supply system should be turned off, the liquid should be drained from the drain tank.

The nuances of installing equipment

In fact, the installation of the microlift is carried out in the same way as the installation of conventional covers. First you need to remove the old element, and then put rubber rings on the mount, providing a softer fit, and fix the new cover. After that, it is fixed with the appropriate parts.

In general, the installation is carried out in several stages.

Some people prefer a removable seat. Such equipment is fixed to the toilet with adjustable loops. They are responsible not only for the installation of equipment, but also for the adjustment of the seat.

Naturally, when using a non-removable seat with a microlift, adjustment may also be required. It's about a tighter fit. If you do not pay attention to this moment, then due to the skew, the cover with the microlift will quickly break. To prevent the product from being skewed, it is worth twisting the special adjusting elements. Only then can the nuts be tightened.

If the device fails for some reason, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to buy a new lift for the toilet. This applies to cases where, due to too much pressure, the spring has been broken. We are also talking about the failure of the stock itself. If the cover is broken, then the entire structure will have to be replaced. However, this rarely happens in practice, since really high-quality duroplast is used to create seats.

The microlift for the toilet is considered an important element responsible for the ease of use of sanitary equipment. Today, a large selection of such devices is on sale, so you can choose products for different models of toilet bowls. Naturally, we are talking about more modern varieties.

Modern toilet seats began to be complemented by a variety of functions. They can self-clean, repel dirt, remove and remove and even heat up. These innovations include a toilet lid with a microlift. This mechanism is called "soft-close" or "smooth lowering". The toilet bowl equipped with a microclimate seat differs from the usual one in the presence of a special device that facilitates the smooth lowering of the lid on the toilet seat.Such a mechanism prevents loud sound effects from a falling cover, and also serves as protection against mechanical damage (cracks, chips) that may occur as a result of a seat falling. If there are people with disabilities in the family, then a good solution would be to install a monoblock toilet with a microlift. The installation of such a device is undesirable when there are small children in the house, since the micro-elevator system for the toilet can break down from their impact.

The device of the toilet lid microlift is similar to a miniature door closer, that is, the lowering of the lid is completed by smooth braking, followed by lowering to the surface of the toilet seat. The contact of the seat itself with the surface of the toilet occurs according to the same principle. In addition, the toilet seat with a microlift can not only smoothly lower the lid, but also raise it when a person approaches.

Fill valve malfunctions

Signs of valve failure are:

water constantly flowing through the toilet;
its complete absence;
very slow tank filling.

Constantly flowing water indicates an overflow of the tank as a result of a violation of the adjustment of the filling valve or a failure of the float mechanism.

A more rare failure may be the wear of the sealing gasket that blocks the valve nozzle. In each of these cases, repairing the toilet cistern is not difficult.

Before proceeding with the adjustment of the float mechanism, it is necessary to check its serviceability. In the event of a violation of the sealing of the float or buoy device, it will simply sink and it is useless to talk about adjustment until it is replaced.

If the float is in good condition, then adjusting its position is carried out by changing the bend of the rocker, which is connected to the valve. The position of the buoy structure is adjusted by tightening the axle nut.

The float mechanism must be adjusted so that after filling the container to the overflow line, the valve is completely closed. This is achieved by several experimental attempts.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many people do not understand the need to install a lift toilet. In fact, this equipment has many advantages, which makes such an element, if not indispensable, then desirable.

In fact, there are no drawbacks to such a design. The only negative concerns the inability to quickly lower the seat and lid on your own. If you try and make an effort, then the microlift will simply break down, as a result of which you will have to buy new equipment.

In most cases, these products are sold for certain types of toilets, although there are also separate plumbing equipment on sale. To choose it, you need to take into account several points.