The cistern after assembly should not touch the wall....

[Finn]

Hi, the sentence in the title is part of the instructions for a Cersanit close coupled toilet, I know that the sentence could not be any clearer but this seems odd to me. Should the cistern be away from the wall? The toilet that I'm replacing was screwed to the wall via two holes in the back of the cistern and the new one has two similar holes. If the instructions are correct, how much of a gap is required? Thanks in advance.

 

[SimonG]

May need to be off the wall slightly to get the lid on. Couple of tap washers between wall and cistern normally do the job.

 

[Best]

As Simon says, it might need off the wall slightly to allow lid to fit. I also use tap washers - 3/4".
But a lot of cisterns are designed to lie back at a slight angle to the wall, leaving a slight gap until they meet the wall at top. (If you tried to keep such a cistern vertical, it can mean it won't seal at the bottom dome washer to pan).
Reason for cisterns needing a gap from wall is to avoid the difference in temperature between cistern and wall having an effect on cistern, in theory.
There probably is some truth in that theory, but one thing manufacturers should do is make their cisterns with glazed finish all over, including the back, as it is part of the strength in them.

 

[Finn]

Thanks for the replies SimonG and Best. I have also just found that the bowl does not sit flat on the floor, it rocks back and forth. Is this something I should 'pack out' or should the toilet go back to the suppliers? If I need to 'pack' the gap, what would you recommend that I use?

 

[Finn]

I just read about shims for rocking toilets so panic over. Thanks again for earlier replies.

 

[Best]

Thanks for the replies SimonG and Best. I have also just found that the bowl does not sit flat on the floor, it rocks back and forth. Is this something I should 'pack out' or should the toilet go back to the suppliers? If I need to 'pack' the gap, what would you recommend that I use?

Depends if it is the pan or the floor that is out of shape. Normally you will get one or both that are a little uneven. Usually just clear silicone will sort it. I fit the toilet and turn water on to cistern and flush it a few times to test. If all okay, last job before I leave I put a bead of clear silicone around the base and clean excess off with silicone tools.