Toilet constantly trickling

ChrisD. · 24 Oct 2022 at 11:06

We have a toilet and the water seems to constantly trickle water, then every few hours it'll get to the point where the tank wants to fill. Which is great when it's in our en suite and it decides to to it at 3am!

It's one of the ones that's built in behind tiles, I've pulled the cover off and secured the little hoses as they don't sit on very tight. Maybe replace these fist?

Is there anything I can do without resorting to getting a plumber around?

Ogoshi · 24 Oct 2022 at 11:10

We had that same problem with our (normal) toilet. I can't remember what the part is called but it's that stack that lets the water into the tank had to be replaced entirely.

Cods-Nostril · 24 Oct 2022 at 11:11

Sounds like the seal on the bottom of your cistern is worn

Terminal_Boy · 24 Oct 2022 at 11:13

Faulty siphon.

That could be a swine to replace given the lack of access.

drakulton · 24 Oct 2022 at 11:15

May be able to replace just the flap valve in the siphon.

Buffman · 24 Oct 2022 at 13:40

Id imagine it's also a leaking siphon, but yes imagine it is a pain for access so I'd be tempted to say just get a plumber in as theyll have done it before.

Black Noir · 24 Oct 2022 at 14:01

Cods-Nostril said:
Sounds like the seal on the bottom of your cistern is worn

This. I had similar in a toilet once and went through a new flush and float etc only to find out it was a duff seal that was letting water out of the cistern.

Semple · 24 Oct 2022 at 14:06

Yeah it'll be the diaphragm, ours has done it a few times.

If you've got a toilet that's been built behind a wall you should be able to take out the flushing mechanism to replace the seal.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 24 Oct 2022 at 15:21

two parts can fail
bottom seal that seals the syphon against the bottom of the tank, this stops water leaking from the tank into the bowl
top seal of the syphon, this stops more water entering the tank when its full.

Check if its the top first. Lift the "arm" gently as high as it will go, if this stops the trickle then the top one has gone. Pretty easy to replace normally. (If you can tie it up this is great, tie it up and leave it and see if water drops)
If it still leaks however the bottom has gone (top may also have gone) which is more of a pain to fix as you need to remove the whole of the syphon to replace it.
If its the bottom then replace both at the same time.

Your going to need to find out what you have in there for starters

ChrisD. · 24 Oct 2022 at 15:43

Great, didn't think it would be easy!

We are planning to have the whole room redone anyway, so I might just leave it as everything will be ripped out anyway.

aVdub · 24 Oct 2022 at 16:36

On ours for some reason the float had moved slightly and water was seeping over and into the bowl. A turn or two on the float solved it.

Werewolf · 24 Oct 2022 at 18:34

It can also just be a bit of grit or something between the seal and the base of the tank.

Depending on the actual flush valve some will undo with a quarter/half turn and then just lift out to allow easy seal replacement.

Rob_B · 24 Oct 2022 at 18:53

drakulton said:
May be able to replace just the flap valve in the siphon.

This, although ours isn't in the wall our diaphragm has gone more than once and causes that trickling issue...

Can't tell from the pics but if you can get access you will see if it has a hole in it, if torn then just replace that part with whatever one fits yours.

Semple · 24 Oct 2022 at 19:18

ChrisD. said:
Great, didn't think it would be easy!

We are planning to have the whole room redone anyway, so I might just leave it as everything will be ripped out anyway.

If you're on a water meter I'd defo advise against that. I did something similar after hearing the trickling water and thinking I'd get round to fixing it. Ended up using about 2 months worth of water - it was almost as if the toilet flush was just constantly pressed.

BennyC · 24 Oct 2022 at 21:05

If it's old it's worth checking that debris or scale hasn't built up and stopped the seal closing completely. Chuck some anti-limescale in and see if you can isolate the supply to get in and clean/wipe it.

Black Noir · 26 Oct 2022 at 14:37

Definitely don't avoid doing it. Do you have any friends or family that could take a look?

For the cost of a case of beer you could save yourself £££

Reuben klang · 29 Oct 2022 at 08:42

Just replace everything in there.

You should be able to replace everything quite easily within that little access box, they’re designed so you can do it. It’s just easier to replace the lot than dismantle the lot to replace the last bit and then put it all back and that way you’re then going to be spot on.

You do not need to start mashing the tiles off!

ChrisD. · 8 Nov 2022 at 20:55

I ended up calling a local plumber, he came round and replaced a part, charged me £60 cash and all is well. It was the rubber thing at the bottom of a plastic tube but he replaced the whole thing. Could have perhaps replaced just the rubber bit myself but I'm glad it's now sorted. £35 for the part and £25 labour. Thanks for all the comments.