Overflowing Modern Toilet Cistern

[Hymie]

Within the last year I have had a new bathroom-suite installed.

Already the toilet cistern is overflowing (cheap modern ***).

Rather than expelling the excess water out through the overflow pipe – these modern cisterns dump the excess water into the toilet bowl.

Rather than employing the traditional ball-cock arrangement, the vertical inlet to the cistern appears to have a captive float (which is operating correctly). Toward the top of this inlet pipe is a small vent, which appears to require being open to the air – if blocked with my finger the cistern fills at a faster rate.

I have tried to google how these units work – but without success.

Is there a simple fix I can implement for the leaking valve – or does the complete inlet assembly need to be replaced?

[buildersmate]

You haven't said whether the inlet water supply is failing to seal properly, thus continuing to fill the cistern, or whether the dump valve that releases water to the pan isn't revealing after use.

If the former, I think you mean a torbeck valve? These things have a diaphragm of about 25mm diameter in them. When mine leaks, I buy a new diaphragm. Be sure to buy one of the same manufacturer as I reckon they are all slightly different inside, though the whole torbeck unit is a form/fit/function replaceable between different manufacturers. BM

[The Builder]

In the past, Hymie, we knew all the inner workings of a traditional float valve intimately. Always taking them apart and making up rubber washers.

I have to confess that, today, the things are so cheap (relative to plumbers' charges) that they're simply replaced. I'm ashamed to say that I've never taken one of these apart to see how it works.

[Old_Geezer]

Well here is your chance. Pop around to Hymie's and collect the malfunctioning one when it's replaced ;-)

[The Builder]

I know you're right OG... the pursuit of knowledge etc..........

In my defence; there are so many of the damn things around, and they're all different. As Shirley Conran "almost" said ..................... "life is too short to dismantle a float-valve ;o)))

[Hymie]

Thanks for your replies.

For the moment the overflow has corrected itself – but I suspect I’ll be making a trip down to Wicks to buy a replacement unit sometime soon. Hopefully these things are common/standard to modern cisterns.

As to make & model – you must be joking, clearly a manufacturer who is ashamed of their product.