Low water level in toilet bowl

[Splatling]

We had our bathrooms done a few months ago, and with the new style of toilet (close-coupled), I notice that the water level in the bowl is quite low. It flushes ok, but (sorry TMI) the sides are easily soiled. Has anyone else had this problem and managed to resolve it? Is it worth getting a plumber in to try and raise the water level?

The original plumber is long gone and I don't want to waste £££ trying to fix a problem that isn't fixable (except to save up and change back to the original style of toilet).

You need a new toilet. No other solution. The new tiny ones give me rage so I always check the technical drawings or ideally go and see toilets before buying them. Bottom of the range cheap toilet are often a more traditional shape.

The basic ideal standard loo has an old style shaped pan and is pretty cheap.

Yeah I had a new one fitted 2021 and noticed that the bit where the water goes down is a lot narrower than the one fitted 20 years previous. And the water level was quite a bit lower.

My Googling told me that this is the norm for new units now

😢

I suspect the change is associated with the drive to use less water per flush. Of course, it just means you end up flushing several times and have to consider using the dreaded loo brush - but don't mention them around here or the whole thread will be derailed.😉

Have you tried adjusting the valve inside the cistern? You can adjust the level of water by + or -

moder low-water wcs are often not very good. there are quite a lot of imported unbranded ones in the diy sheds and bathroom vendors. IMO you can expect good quality from major UK brands sch as twyfords, armitage, ideal standard.

I happen to be using twyfords (now rebranding to Geberit) because they made some BO pans that suited my need and am very pleased with the flush.

you can adjust the flush valve and/or the fill valve somewhat. If yours is poor I would start with seeing if it can be adjusted for a better flush. If that doesn't help, you can use a "flapper valve" which gives a very forceful flush and is very simple in design. Unfortunately the cistern will probably have to come off to fit it.

Some people like to keep their old wcs if in fair condition. All the working parts are readily replaceable.

If we could have kept our old toilet downstairs then we would have. Bigger pan, higher water level (so no need for repeated flushing). The newer one just doesn't take stuff away anything like as efficiently.

Modern low level ones can look very nice, but often have a very inadequate and feeble flush, so it takes a lot of attempts and saves no water at all.

The next time I have to replace a bathroom suite or a toilet I will bear @PigletJohn comments in mind.

Thanks all. I looked for the screw thingy to try and adjust the level but couldn't find anything screwable.

Will have to file this under Things I Wish I Knew.

open the cistern lid and take several photos

include the line on the back wall marked "water level"

look for any brand names.

@PigletJohn Thank you, have attached some pics. I can't find a brand or water line - perhaps that's part of the problem!

I think the max water level line of the cistern is the line you can see moulded into the porcelain on the back wall.

so, if the float of the fill valve can be adjusted to give greater depth, you can get more water in the flush.

the depth will not be greater than the top of the overflow pipe, which is the vertical open ended pipe you can see in about the middle. If you press the float down with your finger you will see how much this will be.

do you know where the wc was bought from?

it's not a Fluidmaster

do you think it might be a Flomaster?

p.s.

I should have said this will give you a better flush that should clean the pan better, but it will not change the level of water in the trap.

if you have hard water, traces of limescale on the pan roughen the surface and make it harder to clean.

apart from a water softener, Parazone Bleach Blocks in the cistern will over time remove limescale, but they shorten the life of the rubber washers at the bottom of the cistern, especially if they are old. There are other blocks that contain a detergent. You do not need blue colouring.

@PigletJohn Thank you for taking the time to help! I think this is the toilet. There isn't much depth that can be added as I think the level of the water is quite close to the overflow pipe. It's the water level I was hoping to increase, but it doesn't look like that will be possible, as the water will just spill into the overflow I presume.

We have a water softener, so at least that's something ...

so you would probably have to change the flush valve unless a plumber can add an extension to the overflow pipe. the overflow pipe is part of the flush valve.

if you're going to that expense, I would have a Flapper valve fitted, which gives the strongest flush available, and ask the plumber not to cut the overflow pipe short but to have it as high as the level line on the cistern.

the fill valve is probably adjustable, but if not high enough, get a Fluidmaster at the same time

Thank you - there may be hope after all :)