Toilet Question All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[conn15]

Our toilet fills up with water in the cistern but everytime I try and flush the toilet it takes about 6 times pumping the handle for it to flush.

Can there be a blockage somewhere in the tank or is it just broken?

Also I live in an old tenement flat in Glasgow. If I was to replace the parts myself where would my water shut off valve be?

[thedoctor]

See the projects section and look at the project called MY TOILET WONT FLUSH

[Dave From Leeds]

As suggested in the Projects section, it is likely to be a split diaphragm in the syphon. This is usually a piece of heavy duty polythene sheet. When mine failed, I managed to make a new one out of part of a strong plastic sack that had contained cat litter.

[plumbbob]

Yes, I have replaced the diaphragm as you describe, but you can buy a complete new sypon for only a few quid. Just make sure it is the correct height.

The only problem with all this, is the whole cistern has to be removed first to gain access to the lock nut.