Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws

Ideal Standard close coupled toilets installed in new build house ten years ago.

Having received a hefty water bill for last half year (May to December 2024) water usage from Southern Water I was a bit concerned! It was double compared with the same period for 2023! Now I know that cost of water supply has increased, but this is taking the p!$$!

I used to take monthly water meter readings when I first moved in 10 years ago but stopped when I got bored, same old, same old!

However I decided to start once again, out of curiosity sake and found that my December usage was 9M³ and January 13M³!

I compared this with my early monthly readings which averaged 3-4M³ and quickly realised I had a leak somewhere to be using an excessive amount of water despite there being no changes in circumstances ( 2 retired in the 3 bedroom house, 1 bath and 1 shower, no garden watering).

No obvious leaks but checked the Ideal Standard toilet cistern(s) and found a low dribble of water by passing the diaphragm on the bottom inlet fill valve of one toilet. This low volume was not observable in the lavatory pan!

(Tried posting video from Imgur but no luck! The specified URL cannot be embedded as media.)
IMG_1060.jpg


I changed the diaphragm assuming that the diaphragm had developed a leak, but no difference!

I am now at a loss as I thought a new diaphragm would solve it, but the leak is still there! Has this bottom fill valve failed and now needs replacing? What is the best replacement model and will this be a challenge to change? There is no access to the bottom of the cistern (boxed in by the builders!)
 
Last edited:
Tbh I don’t bother changing washers just change the whole valve normally

Either fluidmaster or viva have good inlet valves
 

We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.

Back
Top