Ideal Standard Alto dual flush cistern query

[pottonian]

Good morning all -

This is my first post on here and as a complete novice to plumbing matters, please bear with me for any ignorance!

I've had a couple of new loos fitted in our house which are both Ideal Standard Alto dual flushes and I'm not convinced that the dual flushing is working properly - i.e. on one of them the "short" flush seems to almost empty the cistern (about 4cm from the bottom of the cistern). I've had a look on the web and seen some comments about problems occurring if the rods are too short - I've got my father-in-law coming next week who's considerably more DIY-handy than I am so if necessary, he'll be able to fit some new rods as I've just ordered a set.

My question is really about what happens if it *isn't* the rods that are the problem? Because we've got two of the loos fitted, I've tried swapping the cistern lids (with the push buttons and rods attached) and this doesn't seem to have made a difference. I've then tried manually pushing the plastic lever down (i.e. the bit that pushing the "short flush" push button would depress) and this also seems to use most of the water in the cistern (apart from the 4cm or so I mentioned before). This is making me wonder if there's something that needs adjusting in the main assembly. If so, please can anyone give some points on what and to what level it should be adjusted?

Sorry if I've been far too vague - if anyone wants to have a stab at answering this and needs some more info, please let me know and I'll see what I can find out.

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide -

Ian

 

[DarrenThomas]

I've just fitted (well half, the valve was busted so waiting on a new one) an Ideal Standard Alto toilet too. The instructions say the rods have to be cut to exactly the right length to ensure that it works properly. What I found was that if they were too short then the button would depress a little before actually getting any resistance from the valve. With the correct length there is resistance from the button as soon as the button is depressed even a little.

To test it out just pull the rods out and pop something in the hole to pad it out a few mm and then pop the rods back in. With the rods now technically being longer you should be able to test it out. Just a bit of folded up paper should do to give you the extra few mm.

From the limited time I was playing with it all it dodnt look like there was anything on the actual valve that you could adjust to get different settings.

This is on the assumption your problem hasn't been resolved in the last week!

As I said, we've only got the pan connected at the moment and are having to bucket flush as the valve was cracked and so couldn't be used.

 

[stevetheplumber]

There may be an adjuster on the flush valve which alters the depth of flush