WC cistern fills very slowly

[matahari]

Hi, I'm new to these forums and hope someone can help me. I am a woman and have no plumbing experience and don't know the names of things so please treat me like the complete novice I am.

Today my wc cistern has begun to fill very slowly, taking more than ten minutes before stopping. It hasn't done it before. Here's a pic - perhaps that will show you what I mean. Is it something I can tackle myself?

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[JohnD]

if it has just started happening, and your other taps are OK, it might be dirt or scale in the valve. Do you know how to cut off the supply to the cistern?

Is it supplied from a tank in the loft, or at mains pressure?

It is (probably) easy to fix if you can turn off the supply and have a couple of adjustable spanners.

Do you have any other cisterns in the house with the same kind of ball valve?

p.s.

This is a bottom-entry WC cistern BallValve. It should cost you £5 or less. Get one the same as your old one.

If you undo the blue nut on the RHS, you can take the other parts off the stem and swap the new one for your old one. The old plastic ball float screws onto the end. After taking off the old and before fitting the new valve, turn the water on for a few seconds (with the lid on to reduce splashing) to flush out any detritus from the pipes. Having done that, you can examine the old one for damage or blockages, put it back together, and keep it as a spare for next time.

The white plastic screw on the RHS should press against the side of the cistern to reduce vibration. The white plastic screw on the arm is to adjust water level.

Swapping is quicker than trying to mend the old valve and refit it before you can use the toilet again. You can also buy a ball-valve repair kit, but as a new one is so cheap it is hardly worth the trouble.

 

[matahari]

Thank you John for your very clear advice. My taps are running at normal pressure and I do know how to turn the mains supply off. There is this screw under the cistern but I'm not sure what to do with it. Look at those cobwebs!
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(Sorry if I sound like a total ignoramus, but that's what I am, and everyone has to learn somehow!)

The wc is downstairs, fed by the mains, and it is the only one in the house.

 

[Bahco]

Turn the screw a qtr turn which will cut the supply to the toilet.

Test by flushing the toilet which now will not fill up.

 

[sooey]

That isolating valve looks almost closed, try turning it so that the slot is inline with the pipe and see if the flow improves.

 

[corgiman]

That isolating valve looks almost closed, try turning it so that the slot is inline with the pipe and see if the flow improves.

BLimey sooey I had to put me glasses on to see that well spotted that man

 

[sooey]

I already had me glasses on, probably couldn't even see the computer without them these days.

 

[corgiman]

I already had me glasses on, probably couldn't even see the computer without them these days.

sheesh mate we are both wrecks (getting old sucks the biggy it really do)

I am going to have that operation where they jack your hair up and slip a new body under it

 

[matahari]

Look at it NOW!! WOW! It filled in about 20 secs! But I have adjusted it a little so it's not so much like Niagara.

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With a little help from WD40 and a screwdriver, and YOU! My heroes!

Thanks especially to sooey. xx

 

[corgiman]

Soooey you the man

 

[sooey]

Can you choose which body gets slipped under? put me down for Halle Berry.

 

[matahari]

Naughty!

 

[Bahco]

That isolating valve looks almost closed, try turning it so that the slot is inline with the pipe and see if the flow improves.

Nice one mate, could do with glasses too methinks

 

[matahari]

This is a hard water area so I think it must also have been silting up, and the new force of the water has cleared it out. Brilliant result.