Toilet cistetn fill valve

[Chris Fayle]

I am planning to replace the fill valve on my toilet cistern. The valve that I have bought (Fluid master pro45b) has a foam gasket that seals the valve to the bottom of the cistern. Fluidmaster say that this is adequate, but my wife, a pessimist, thinks we should also use a sealant as the foam seal would not work properly and the undulations in the glaze will let water leak.
Please can an expert tell us who is right.

Many thanks
Chris

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Should be a coned rubber washer and yes it will seal aslong as there’s no existing sealant on your cistern if there is get a Stanley blade and remove it

 

[Chris Fayle]

Thanks. Just what I thought.

 

[Roy_66]

I am planning to replace the fill valve on my toilet cistern. The valve that I have bought (Fluid master pro45b) has a foam gasket that seals the valve to the bottom of the cistern. Fluidmaster say that this is adequate, but my wife, a pessimist, thinks we should also use a sealant as the foam seal would not work properly and the undulations in the glaze will let water leak.
Please can an expert tell us who is r

Should be a coned rubber washer as Shaun says. Please include a picture of unsure. From personal experience of an old tank re-fitted by a pro, sealant will reduce the lifetime (this has convinced me). So clean it up and give it a go, not too tight. If it leaks then can tighten a bit more. If it's still no good (and there are defects on the flange) then sealant as a temporary measure until you can get a new tank.

Cheers,

Roy (amateur all trades)

 

[Ben-gee]

Roy, nobody would replace a toilet cistern because they couldn’t get the inlet valve to stop leaking - they would just use sealant.

 

[Roy_66]

Roy, nobody would replace a toilet cistern because they couldn’t get the inlet valve to stop leaking - they would just use sealant.

Thanks Ben. I also err on fixing stuff myself as I've got the time these days. In this case the manufacturers of valves and syphons for flush tanks I think say not to use sealant. However agree if the client wants you to give the sealant a go then no issue. Guess as a professional though you make suitable comment/statement etc. to cover yourself against any future claims for leaks.

It is a shame that we are becoming a "litigation consious society" (imported idea from USA, as one great engineer identified many years ago). I don't think it actually helps clients, just ties everyone in knots.

Cheers,

Roy

 

[Timmy D]

Thanks Ben. I also err on fixing stuff myself as I've got the time these days. In this case the manufacturers of valves and syphons for flush tanks I think say not to use sealant. However agree if the client wants you to give the sealant a go then no issue. Guess as a professional though you make suitable comment/statement etc. to cover yourself against any future claims for leaks.

It is a shame that we are becoming a "litigation consious society" (imported idea from USA, as one great engineer identified many years ago). I don't think it actually helps clients, just ties everyone in knots.

Cheers,

Roy

There is an issue with the client wanting me to try something.... I’m not changing my method of work, because a customer thinks they know better. I am the professional, the ball stops at me.