Help, Leaking flush pipe

[Glasgowman]

I’ve discovered a slow leak behind my toilet that’s maybe been slowly leaking for a few years before we have moved in. I’ve replaced chipboard as it was soaked through. Seems to be coming from the flush pipe attached to cistern. The rubber washer seemed in ok condition, the hard plastic washer was snapped. I’ve replaced rubber washer and only flat washer I could get was a rubber one not hard plastic. Tightened up, still leaking. Earlier I discovered at the back of the white plastic thread that’s attached to the cistern itself there are 3 small chips out of it. I take it these are not supposed to be here and what’s causing the small leak? Thanks

 

[Ben-gee]

I take it that is a low level toilet, with exposed flush pipe?

Inside that pipe you can see a faint black line from where the rubber cone washer sits and as you correctly say one of the notches goes higher than this line and so will cause a slight leak.

You could replace the syphon to solve this.

But I would first try just sawing off the pipe immediately above that notch, use a fine hacksaw blade and then dress with a file.
This should get you out of trouble for now.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

As above either saw or if your confident using a grinder you could sand it off

 

[Glasgowman]

I take it that is a low level toilet, with exposed flush pipe?

Inside that pipe you can see a faint black line from where the rubber cone washer sits and as you correctly say one of the notches goes higher than this line and so will cause a slight leak.

You could replace the syphon to solve this.

But I would first try just sawing off the pipe immediately above that notch, use a fine hacksaw blade and then dress with a file.
This should get you out of trouble for now.

It’s a toilet and sink that’s built into a wooden unit. But when removing parts of the wooden unit the flush pipe is exposed. Would sawing off be a permanent fix? I’m going to be replacing full suite maybe a year from now. Cheers

 

[Glasgowman]

Wish I noticed the 3 notches at the back in the beginning would have saved me a load of time. Wasn’t until I tried different washers, adjusted flush pipe and cistern then still leaking that I had a feel around the actual syphon thread. Is it a common thing for the syphon thread to break apart?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes would be a permanent fix aslong as the flush pipe goes in past the washer a good 10-15mm

 

[Glasgowman]

Yes would be a permanent fix aslong as the flush pipe goes in past the washer a good 10-15mm

Great thanks 👍🏻

 

[Glasgowman]

Quick question, below where the rubber washer sits do I need a flat washer. Original one had one but was a snapped plastic one. In a packet I got from B&Q it never had a flat washer. Got another packet from B&Q and it came with a flat rubber washer. Do I need or not, if so, rubber or hard plastic one? Cheers 👍🏻

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Depends on the nut does the washer sit in the nut fully and the nut fit with a mm or two slop on the flush pipe ok ?

 

[Glasgowman]

Depends on the nut does the washer sit in the nut fully and the nut fit with a mm or two slop on the flush pipe ok ?

Yes the plastic or rubber washer sits fully inside the nut then screws up onto the thicker rubber washer that’s pushed up into the cistern thread.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I would say your fine then don’t need the plastic spacer washer

 

[Glasgowman]

I would say your fine then don’t need the plastic spacer washer

Cheers 👍🏻

 

[Glasgowman]

Flush pipe now not leaking due to the advise off cutting small piece from it thanks 👍🏻. Is it normal to get dripping condensation from cistern, would this cause an issue?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Normally if the house is warm and the water coming in is very cold wipe it off shouldn’t come back until you flush again

 

[Glasgowman]

Normally if the house is warm and the water coming in is very cold wipe it off shouldn’t come back until you flush again

It won’t be in view once I put cabinet back together was just wondering if that would could cause a damp issue on the floor.

 

[Ben-gee]

Some concealed cisterns have a polystyrene jacket up to the waterline to prevent condensation- you could replicate this if you wanted, probably just stuff in some rock wool insulation all around between cistern and cabinet.

 

[Glasgowman]

Some concealed cisterns have a polystyrene jacket up to the waterline to prevent condensation- you could replicate this if you wanted, probably just stuff in some rock wool insulation all around between cistern and cabinet.

Thanks mate 👍🏻