What is a Toilet Cistern?

toilet cistern

Toilet cisterns are the containers that hold your toilet water. Over time, they can get dirty or blocked. This can cause leaks to occur and prevent the toilet from working properly. Toilet cisterns are simple to replace and shouldn’t cost much, avoiding unnecessary repair costs. Why is my toilet cistern leaking?

Toilet cisterns can start to leak for many reasons. The most common reason that a toilet starts to leak is because of a blockage inside the cistern. Over time, hair, soap or limescale will build up inside the container and eventually cause it to become blocked so water cannot be stored in the tank.

If your toilet isn’t filling with water, you may have a blocked toilet cistern. This problem can easily be fixed by cleaning out the saturated material blocking your tank – they are usually removable and you should be able to see if there’s anything stopping your tank from being full. If not, then it could mean there is a crack or hole in the cistern.

A toilet cistern is normally located near the toilet pan, next to the toilet bowl. Access can sometimes be tricky. You can get the toilet cistern by pressing the flush button to see if you can easily flush the toilet without any issues… if you can flush the toilet successfully without leaking then it means your device is working well.

Who Can Fix a Toilet Cistern?

Any plumber should be able to replace your toilet cistern. It is a straightforward job, and you won’t need much in the way of specialist tools or knowledge. You might have to make an additional trip to buy a new cistern if you don’t already have one, but that’s about it. This is why it makes sense to call out a plumber for this repair if you’re not confident tackling it yourself.

Single Flush Cistern vs Dual Flush Cistern

A single flush cistern has a single valve to control the water flow into the cistern, while a dual flush cistern will have two valves, one for liquid waste and one for solid waste. The sewage system is designed to deal with such wastes separately, so it’s important that they are separated within the toilet too.

Is a Toilet Cistern Wall Hung?

A toilet cistern is usually wall-hung. This means that it is held in place by brackets attached to the wall, so you can easily remove and replace lavatory cisterns without any hassle. This is a very simple job for a plumber, and you should be able to choose the brand of your new cistern when buying one.

How do I Replace My Toilet Cistern?

Replacing or repairing your toilet cistern isn’t too tricky. There are two screws that hold it in place, and these are easy to remove without the correct tool. Check your cistern is the right size for your toilet to ensure it will fit, and then follow the instructions included with it. If you don’t have experience installing toilet cisterns it may be best to leave this task to a licensed plumber or professional tradesman

How to Connect Toilet Cistern & the Water Inlet?

First, you need to disconnect the old system. To do this, take off your water line and turn off the water supply valve. Then remove the inlet hose by loosening its clamp. There is a rubber gasket that prevents leaks, so leave it on there and store it away for future use if needed! Take out all connections from your toilet tank – even if they are already connected to the new one. You might consider labelling these beforehand so that you know what goes where after installation.

Make sure everything is dry; make sure there’s no standing water in or around anything you’re working on. You can wipe down with a paper towel any areas that look wet, dripping or dirty (especially connectors). If you see any bare metal that may be touching the water, cover it with masking tape or toilet paper.

Then you can put in your new Cistern/Toilet tank & turn it over to connect the supply line to the top. Connect the water hoses as well, make sure everything is connected securely, so there are no leaks. If you have a new water line, make sure to put the rubber gasket under it, so that your toilet won’t leak.

Make sure there’s no caulk or other sealant around your flange or bolts – if there is, remove it and wipe the area clean with an alcohol wipe (make sure they are dry). Then

How Much does a New Toilet Cistern Cost?

The price of a new toilet cistern can vary depending on how elaborate you would like it to be, or whether you want one from a particular manufacturer. As an approximate guide, expect to pay around $100-$200 for a decent cistern that will make most toilets work as they should.

How do I Clean My Toilet Cistern?

A heavy buildup of hair and grime is common in blocked toilets, so cleaning is usually done every week or so, especially if the bathroom itself isn’t given regular maintenance. This can be done by a professional cleaner for hygiene purposes.

Are Toilet Cisterns Common in Australia?

Toilet cisterns are very common in Australia, and especially in the southern areas of the country. They’re perfect for ensuring your toilet will function perfectly for many years to come.

Related Plumbing Resources

Plumbing Quotes

A plumber is a dedicated expert hired to repair and maintain all elements of the water supply including pipes, fittings, and apparatus. Read more…

Plumbing

Plumber Call Out Fee

One of those tradies that are vital to so many aspects of your house is a plumber. It might be routine maintenance, a major renovation project, or an emergency that simply cannot wait. Read more…

Plumbing

What is a Tradie

A skilled manual worker in a specific trade or craft is known as a “Tradie” (trade specialist). Read more…

Air Conditioning

What is a Soakwell?

Soakwells consist of a pot or container filled with a porous material such as perforated pipe, allowing rainfall to soak into the soil. Read more…

Plumbing