Toilet continually filling – is this broken?

[shd1970]

I wonder if anyone’s had this issue before

Flushed our close couple toilets yesterday evening and it just continued to fill
We’ve had no issues leading up to it
It overflows into the pan so you could see it easily and it wasn’t just a dribble
Took the system and lid off and pulled up the lever on the left-hand side, but that didn’t stop the water
You do hear a slight change in the water pressure, but as I say, the water continues to fill
I replaced the diaphragm washer this morning, even though the previous one wasn’t split and still the same symptoms

Upon closer inspection, it appears that there’s a snap in the plastic on the filling pipe
Does this look like a crack to you guys?
Please see photos and my red arrow (not the aerobatic team !)

Would you agree and is this item replaceable please ?

 

[robinbanks]

You might find that, having turned the water off to relieve the pressure on this part, and then having clamped a good quality jubilee clip around it, that the leaking stops

Perhaps even a couple of meaty cable ties will be sufficient; tighten by hand and then clamp pliers on the free and and twist them (like an old style sardine can opener) to tighten a bit more.

I'd certainly rate my chances of being able to find and apply a jubilee/cable ties as quicker and easier than replacing the entire inlet

 

[Fred Blogs]

Jubilee clips, cable ties??????? Just get a new inlet valve and fit it. easy enough to do and cheap as chips. Just make sure you isolate the cistern and empty it before removing the old inlet.

 

[shd1970]

Jubilee clips, cable ties??????? Just get a new inlet valve and fit it. easy enough to do and cheap as chips. Just make sure you isolate the cistern and empty it before removing the old inlet.

Thanks @Fred Blogs

Like one of these :

https://www.screwfix.com/p/fluidmaster-bottom-entry-brass-shank-fill-valve-1-2-/47792?ref=SFAppShare

 

[JohnD]

Yes, that's a good one. The brass tail protects against cross-threading, which plastic easily does.

BTW links may not work on here for some reason, but I clicked and "copied as text" and pasted the link into a new tab, which did work.

 

[robinbanks]

Jubilee clips, cable ties?

Like I said, "[may find it] quicker and easier"

You have to remember, this is a DIY site. Of course getting a new inlet solves the problem, but there is potentially a lot standing in the way of fitting a new inlet (lack of tools, pipe work adjustments for differing lengths, knackered olives etc)

The OP wasn't even sure if the original part was cracked or that way by design, and I made a judgement call that trialling a repair by clamping it back together would likely be possible using things they already had or could obtain for a few pence, keeping yet another bit of plastic out of landfill/the ocean for a while longer

In summary, a valid option they may not have considered

 

[Madrab]

Whilst it could be a temp fix/stopgap and could possibly work I wouldn't suggest it's a good idea to fudge a fill valve like that - anything metal will invariably rust and if it causes further stress to old plastic it could snap completely and then there'll be a major soaking in progress.

If you are DIY savvy then get yourself an adjustable spanner and replace the fill valve, after the years it's been in there it doesn't owe you anything.

Depending on the supply connection, if it's a service valve then you may need to replace a fibre washer. If it's a flexi then check the washer as it may be overly deformed and need replacing. When you undo the retaining nut then bucket handy as there will be water left in the cistern that will need drained.

 

[shd1970]

Thanks for all the replies
I fitted a brand-new inlet valve yesterday and everything went according to plan
However, where the hole in the cistern actually is means you have to be careful in case it starts to twist around when you do up the nut and then the float get stuck along the inside edge of the cistern
You just need an extra pair of hands while you’re lying down doing up the nut underneath

Also, just a word of warning
The fitting instructions say to take a measurement so that a particular marker on the new inlet valve is 25 mm above the overflow
I did that, but that doesn’t take into consideration the water fill line so now there is more water in the cistern than suggested

Not a major problem, but just something to be aware of

 

[shd1970]

Whilst it could be a temp fix/stopgap and could possibly work I wouldn't suggest it's a good idea to fudge a fill valve like that - anything metal will invariably rust and if it causes further stress to old plastic it could snap completely and then there'll be a major soaking in progress.

If you are DIY savvy then get yourself an adjustable spanner and replace the fill valve, after the years it's been in there it doesn't owe you anything.

Depending on the supply connection, if it's a service valve then you may need to replace a fibre washer. If it's a flexi then check the washer as it may be overly deformed and need replacing. When you undo the retaining nut then bucket handy as there will be water left in the cistern that will need drained.

Thanks for the reply @Madrab
There was just a fibre washer, so replace that as had some in my plumbing box of spares

I gave it a few wraps of PTFE also