Working on Toilets

Fixing toilets is not rocket science but it is not child’s play either. Sanitary plumbing can only be undertaken in New Zealand by licensed plumbers.

There are a number of possible faults that can affect the performance of your toilet system and there may be multiple coinciding issues to consider.

Some faults can be quickly fixed (eg. a slow filling cistern may be fixed by turning the isolation valve), while others are much more involved (eg. to replace a leaking pan seal you need to be remove then later reinstate the toilet pan). When there is a fault with your toilet there may be no single answer or remedy.

Sometimes we can replace one part to find the next component in the system has also failed. Though unavoidable, this can be frustrating. The alternative, namely to immediately replace all parts, would be wasteful and hugely expensive. So, it may not be a straightforward fix and you may need to be patient.

Old inwall cistern systems are usually most difficult to work on and to find parts for. People often shy away from replacing inwall units because of the disruption to wall linings and coverings (i.e. Gib, paintwork and tiles etc). But, there is no guarantee that the require parts can be found and the plumber’s meter is ticking while alternatives are tried. In some instances, the attempt to repair the old system will be fruitless and you will be back at square one.

If you do opt for a new toilet there are a few considerations as well. Only buy components that meet ASNZ standard and know the difference between an “S” or “P” pan (if in doubt call SEAL plumbing). Also, before buying check that the new toilet suite will fit the existing space. Will the footprint of the pan and cistern cover that of the old toilet (Note: if not you may need to patch/refinish the wall or floor). Then there is the moment of truth when the old unit is removed – will the new toilet simply slot in? Is the floor sound?  Is the room plumb? Is the existing waste pipe in the right place?

Another complication is excessive water pressure. You could ask “why did the toilet fail?”. It may have been due to old age, but, it could be due to the system being exposed to excessive water pressure. If this was the case, the toilet failure may be a symptom of a wider problem, and the subsequent toilet repair/replacement could fail due to the same cause. (For more on the risk and remedies of excessive water pressure see our blog on this all to common problem)

Lastly, there may be underlying issues with your drains. Many old houses have 80mm waste pipes instead of the current 100mm norm. Smaller capacity pipes are more easily blocked. Also, drains should have adequate fall: some may never have been installed correctly and other may have slumped over time. If you have an issue with the drains changing the toilet will not fix matters

In conclusion, working on toilet systems can be more complicated than many people imagine. But don’t be put off by this: it is all doable by trained licensed plumbers such as the team at SEAL Plumbing & Gas.