Toilet flush too weak - help!

[fishhavefeelingstoo]

In my new flat the toilet flush is too weak, leading to lots of use of the toilet brush!

I'll attach a photo of the inside of the cistern - can anyone tell me if I can alter the flush so that it's stronger and gets rid of everything? Thanks.

You can raise the level of the water in the cistern and therefore the amount of water in each flush. You have the old type with a brass or copper bar so put your hand under the ball float and place your other hand on the copper/brass rod on the furthest end from the ball. Lift the ball slightly until you feel the rod bend upwards. The higher the ball can float the more water is in the cistern. Check the level is not too high and the water is not flowing out of the overflow. If so bend it back down a bit.. I am afraid it's trial and error with this type and there is a bit of a knack to doing it quickly so it may take a few attempts. Hope it goes well.

most likely the plastic flapin the cistern is worn. I'd recommend you take out the old cistern and fit a Fluidmaster Flapper Valve, which is like opening a hatch in the bottom of the cistern and gives the best possible flush.

To change (or pair) the syphon means the cistern has to be taken of. This needs some plumbing ability, and is usually hard work because the old nuts and bolts underneath are probably rusted.

You will need a new doughnut washer, fixing plate, nuts and bolts, as well as the flapper valve. You might be better off asking around for personal recommendations of a local plumber. A wrinkly one may be preferable. Don't look them up on an advertising website where they pay to be listed and can censor unfavourable customer reviews.

Plumbers are very traditional and might not have a flapper valve in the van, in which case get one beforehand.

You could also have a new Fluidmaster filling valve fitted in the same job, they are very quiet, and sometimes come in a pack with the flapper.

Looks like a Thomas Dudley 88 Duo flush

When you just pull down the lever and release it . It should flush the entire contents of the cistern

If you pull the flush down and hold it down for a moment. It has a water saver which only lets out a 1/3 of water in the cistern.

They sometimes break and only allow 1/3 of the water out of the cistern whatever way you flush it.

That’s your 1st point of call

Or it could be the adjustable model

Which can be adjusted via the peg on the column

See this video

Which ever model it is. If it’s broken not flushing the entire cistern they’re simple to change like for like. DIY job or if you’re not confident it should be no more than a plumbers call out and parts and 15 mins of their time.

As you’ll see by the video

If your flush is broken. You don’t need to take off the cistern and get a new closed couple connection kit and get a tentanus jab in the process.

Just buy a new same model complete flush circa £20

Ignore half the parts in the box get the blue mechanism

. unhook flush handle
. Take out peg of blue mechanism
. Lift out blue mechanism
. Put in new blue mechanism
. Put new peg in
. Rehook handle
. Done

Easy-swap Dudley? that's good news.

Well spotted!

Thanks. However I'm intimidated Sounds like a big job for someone who hasn't a clue. we've been holding the flush down so maybe that's where we're going wrong for a start. Would one quick pull down of the handle be better?

My experience with plumbers is not good .. I worry they make the job bigger and more expensive than necessary because I haven't a clue what they're doing. I hoped I could just adjust something.

I'll take a look at the video and see if I think I can do it.

One quick flush would be better if it’s the duo model.

Hope the video helps