If you're struggling with not enough water in your toilet's cistern, this article will help you out. Approaches to solving the problem are offered for the individual causes.
preparation
Before you can deal with the individual causes for the low water level in the toilet cistern, you must first open the cistern. The cistern is closed with a lid which, depending on the age and condition of the toilet, can be opened easily or with a little force. Some models have screws that must be loosened first. After opening, lift the actuating arm up and close the water inlet valve so that no more water can run into the box. A concealed cistern is much more difficult to open because it sits directly in the wall. In order to achieve this, the cover must first be removed. In this case it is
It is advisable to rely on the help of a professional who can at the same time determine what the real problem is.
Tip: If the cistern lid is locked into place and you don't have enough strength, just ask family and friends for help.
swimmer
Problems with the float are the most common cause of low water levels in the wash tank. The float or float valve regulates the water level and does not allow enough water to flow into the cistern when it no longer works properly. There are therefore a few points that you should check in relation to the swimmer:
- Calcifications
- The swimmer's leadership is stuck
- Sponge soaks up (only older toilets)
There is a solution to all of these problems. If there is calcification, close the toilet inlet valve and remove the float. Clean it with a descaler and then reinstall it. An older model with sponges inside will be replaced by new versions with styrofoam or plastic. These cannot soak up and can therefore be used much longer. If the float is wedged, check the bottom and remove it. In many cases it is material fatigue, as floats are usually made of plastic and can bend. If so, replace it.
Tip: Sometimes it happens that it is not the float that is directly damaged, only the seals inside the component. Check the seals for limescale, dirt and damage and replace them if necessary.
Limescale deposits
If you notice a lot of limescale deposits in the cistern, this could be the reason why there is significantly less water. In this case, it is advisable to completely decalcify the cistern so that the water can flow unhindered. The use of home remedies is recommended for decalcifying:
- Citric acid: 2 teaspoons to 1 L of water
- Vinegar essence: 1 part to 2 parts water
Prepare as much of the descaling agent as will fit in your cistern. The inlet valve should remain closed and the actuating arm should be held up during the exposure time of two hours. After the exposure time, open the valve and let the arm down again. If you are lucky, the deposits will have loosened and will be removed with the next rinse. Check that enough water is now being fed into the cistern.
WC inlet valve
More rarely, the cause of the low water supply is problems with the inlet valve. The cistern receives water via the inlet valve, which is used for flushing. In older toilets that have not been used for a long time, the valve is often calcified and needs to be replaced. Other causes of possible damage or even clogging cannot be ruled out if one is suspected If there is a problem with the inlet valve, contact a professional, as the cistern must be dismantled for the change got to.
Tip: In addition to the inlet valve, the corner valve, which is also located in the concealed cistern, can be damaged or calcified. If this is the case, you should also seek the help of a professional.
