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Original poster

Toilet leaking clean water. From where though???

41 replies

Older · 05/02/2015 19:32

I have an unused toilet and it has a puddle right underneath the base. I mop puddle...it returns. I've touched all along the water inlet to cistern, under cistern, u bend where it joins to the waste that exits (it goes horizontally out rather than down) and can't feel any damp so I have no idea where the leak is coming from. The water is clean but then the loo is unused so it would be...

Googling suggests it's the attachment to main waste but it feels dry??? When I close off the water inlet and flush to empty the cistern the leak stops. But there is still water in the pan? It takes at least a day for a puddle to show.

Any ideas?

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daisychicken · 05/02/2015 19:35

Is there condensation on the cistern? We get a puddle behind the toilet and under the base, it runs off the cistern and onto the floor... if the bathroom is warm enough (& outside weather also affects this and the incoming cold water) then we get no condensation and therefore no puddle - this would fit with having no water in the cistern?

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 19:37

Yes I thought it was that to start with but there is such a large puddle I can't believe it is. There is also no condensation visible on the tank.

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daisychicken · 05/02/2015 19:44

I used to blame DS's for not peeing in the toilet properly... the puddle is huge and goes both sides of the toilet but... if no condensation on the cistern then it seems unlikely..... have you tried (sounds stupid) putting folded kitchen paper around the base of the cistern (where it meets the base) and on the floor under the main waste pipe - might help you narrow down where the water is coming from? Does the puddle happen at certain times of the day or is it there all the time?

PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 20:12

please take some photos and attach. I especially would like to see inside the cistern when you lift the lid, but photos all round would be interesting. I want to see how high the water level is when it has not been flushed for an hour or more.

Look at the water inlet pipe, which is probably a 15mm copper pipe but might be flexible with braided stainless steel cover.

Look for a service valve like this. (you might not have one) Turn the screw-head so it is at right-angles to the pipe.

See if you can identify the filling valve here or here

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:24

I have 15mm cu tube into flexible pipe up to cistern I have an isolator valve and I've closed it so no water in the cistern.

Toilet leaking clean water. From where though???
Toilet leaking clean water. From where though???
Toilet leaking clean water. From where though???
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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:27

I can't see inside cistern because the lid is held unless I unscrew and other things which frighten me. I've had problems with the innards which did not seal and a constant 'leak' from cistern into pan which was repaired by a friend. Don't think he did the best job because it still leaked so he repeated with new parts. There is still a residual very small leak I'm sure because there is a minor water stain showing running water (if that makes sense?).

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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:35

I've tried to take pictures of the water level but the iPad won't focus because it's all different shades of white. The toilet had been stood with empty cistern for an hour so I filled, flushed and the level went up by 1mm.

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PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 20:36

I hate those push-button cisterns. Lift the buttons out of the top of the cistern and you should find a screw under them - undo and this should release the cistern lid - don't force the lid off or you'll break the flush valve

Is it a trick of the photo, or does that soil pipe try to run uphill before it goes onto the wall?

First rule of drains - water flows downhill.

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:37

Daisy. I switched water back on at the weekend and it was dry next day so I've forgotten about it. Went in today to check and the puddle was about 90cm across so too big for condensation I'm sure. I'd also put an old towel down which was sodden

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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:38

It runs uphill....

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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:40

I hate plumbing. In my best whiny voice "I want a man and I want him now"

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PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 20:41

now that you have emptied the cistern, mix up some water and food dye and pour it slowly into the WC pan. If you get a leak of coloured water, it must be coming from the pan.

if you manage to get the cistern lid off, put a different colour food dye in there, and let it fill up (do not flush).

Currently my guess is that you have an overfilling fill valve, and also a leak under the cistern or on the trap which allows water to come out.

If there is no leak, an overfilling fill valve just wastes water down the drain, so you probably have two faults.

PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 20:44

tie some kitchen roll round the seal on that uphill soil pipe, also put some on the ledge where the cistern sits on top of the back of the pan.

Ask around for recommendations of an experienced local plumber.

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:44

It's a Niagra Dudley TD.

Toilet leaking clean water. From where though???
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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:45

Sorry bit of a delay in my posts due to slow internet

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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:46

Ok. I will try all of that. Can we convene at this time tomorrow :) a Friday night toilet thread?

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PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 20:49

that's the flushing valve.

the fill valve is at the bottom of your photo, almost out of sight. It might be a Fluidmaster.

I believe Friday Night on Mumsnet is reserved for marital practices.

Frusso · 05/02/2015 20:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:53

I'm single. This counts as almost marital in my life.

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PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 20:54

Niagara Dudley I think will not be one of the problems, though makers say it could have limescale or grit in the seal.

Keep that doc for next time.

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 20:59

Jollyfill if that link works is a bit like my inlet valve

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Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 21:01

I must try online dating. Holding a torch in my mouth to illuminate crucial bits whilst I photograph my toilet is just not rocking my world

Toilet leaking clean water. From where though???
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PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 21:07

never seen one of them before

It looks rather like a fluimaster though

see if you can screw the grey float DOWNWARDS on the red shaft, probably by turning the red screw-head in an unscrewing anticlockwise direction. If you can move it down by an inch that will be plenty. Then turn the water back on. When the water level lifts the grey float it will (should) press on the red arm, causing the water to stop running in. Does it stop, or does it still drip or trickle?

On the inside back of the cistern should be a line marked "water level". Normally the float height should be adjusted to cut off the water when it reaches that level. If it overfills, excess should run down the white pipe on your Dudley, and escape into the pan. I think your has been overfilling. The wall fixing screws are very rusty. The white pipe can (should) be cut to a length so any excess water runs down that pipe before it spills out of the fixing holes, but higher than the design water level so it does not run out unless overfilled.

Original poster
Older · 05/02/2015 21:16

You are an absolute star btw. I'd buy you a beer if I could.

I've done all of that and it stops below level of the overflow now. There is water drops inside white overfill pipe so I'm sure it has recently been wet

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PigletJohn · 05/02/2015 21:21

put a pencil mark at current water level, look again in an hour, see if it has risen, and if there are signs of leak

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