Can anyone help me fix my leaky toilet?

[HelpMeStopTheDrops]

Since Thursday, my toilet has been leaking water.

It's from the handle and the little silver circle opposite the handle.

There doesn't seem to be anything broken inside. I think the tank is filling up too much and then overflowing? How can I stop this?

Ta

@PigletJohn is good at this sort of stuff

please open the lid and posts photos of what's inside.

Check your water supplier some fix leaky toilets free of charge

Thanks. Here it is. The water is leaking from the silver button on the left.

can't see a pic

No photos!

Hopefully this works

I can see photos - can't help though!

You don't want it to fill up so high. Can you adjust the float thing attached to the cut off valve?

there are two faults

1. the overflow pipe on the left is either too long (above the safe water level) is is obstructed, so that the excess water cannot safely escape

2. although the orange float is very high, it has not shut off the water from the float valve.

First, look under the cistern at the water supply pipe which enters through the bottom of the cistern, with a nut on the whilte plastic stem of the fill valve. Is there a service valve on it?

Probably looks like this

observe that it has what appears to be (but is not) a screw-head with a slot in it. When the slot is in line with the pipe, the valve is open. When it is across the direction of the pipe, it is shut. You only need a quarter-turn to open or shut it (the one shown is very cheap, poor quality, and prone to leak, which we can talk about later). Using a large screwdriver, turn it off. Flush the WC to empty the cistern.

While you do that, I will write the next step.

Now you have emptied the cistern, look for your small hacksaw. A small serrated kitchen or steak knife will do if you don't mind cutting for finger off.

Look at the back wall of the cistern. A horizontal line is moulded into the porcelain, marked "water level." This was the manufacturer's intended level to give an effective flush. Observe that it is lower than the holes for the ficing screws in the back wall, and the two holes gor the flush handle in the front.

Saw a bit off the pipe si that the top of it is lower than these holes. You can have it a little higher than the line if you want, for a lightly more powerful flush.

This will prevent undesirable overflowing.

Thanks. I'll try that tomorrow.

But why did it start suddenly? It has never leaked befor.

Next, look at the big blue nut. The valve is inside. In the end of the blue cap is a white plastic knob. When this is pressed, the valve should shut.

lift the orange float up and down. Observe that on the end of it is a white plastic rod, with a screw thread, that presses on the white knob. If you screw it in and out, it shuts the valve earlier or later. Screw it our a bit so that it presses on the valve knob before the float rises all the way to the "water level" line.

Now turn the water back on. Observe if the valve closes if you lift the float all the way up by hand (if not, the valve is not working).

If it does, screw the rod in and out until the valve shuts when the water level is about at the line, and before it reaches your overflow pipe.

Very useful thanks PigletJohn. I'm not the OP but have a loo which needs adjusting. Off to follow your instructions!

hooray! you have now fixed it.

But as it is troublesome, I recommend buying a new (more modern, and quieter) valve.

Measure the height of the stem. You want a new one of the same height, or that can be adjusted to the same height. Too high and the lid will not fit.

This is a particularly good one. Note the Fluidmaster brand name, ant that at the end, it has a brass shank (not plastic like your old one). This is because it is very easy to cross-thread a plastic one, leading to leaks.

Cheaper ones are available if you don't mind getting future leaks and overflows.

If you are going to employ a plumber to fit it, I'd recommend getting a new Fluidmaster Flush valve as well. It will be reliable, quieter and give a good flush with no vigorous pumping of the handle required. One call-out charge should cover the time for both jobs.

@HelpMeStopTheDrops

Thanks. I'll try that tomorrow.

But why did it start suddenly? It has never leaked befor.

Worn out after many years of dutiful service?

I get that as well.

It's in the nature of machines to work, until they don't.

Ask Mumsnet Galactic HW if they will move this to the Property and Plumbing Repairs section, or whatever it's called, and rename it "WC Cistern Overflowing."

It might help someone else.

Mumsnet has a plumbing section? I replaced bath taps this weekend with just Youtube to help!