<p>Here are some common causes of an overflowing cistern you may encounter and how to solve them. You will need a screwdriver for the repairs.</p>
<p><img alt="cistern components" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern-components.jpg" /></p>
<h3>Water level is too high</h3>
<ul>
    <li>Remove the press button knob by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern1" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern1.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Remove the cistern cover</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern2" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern2.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Adjust the screw on the valve and washer assembly to bring the water level down</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern3" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern3.jpg" /></p>
<h3>Ball float is damaged</h3>
<ul>
    <li>Remove the press button knob by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern1" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern1.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Remove the cistern cover</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern2" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern2.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Unscrew the ball float and replace it with a new float</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern4" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern4.jpg" /></p>
<h3>Washer is worn out</h3>
<ul>
    <li>Remove the press button knob by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern1" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern1.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Remove the cistern cover</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern2" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern2.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Loosen the connector to detach the valve form the cistern</li>
    <li>Remove the washer from the valve and replace it with a new washer</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="cistern5" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern5.jpg" /></p>

Simple household repairs

<h3>Water closet (cistern)</h3>
<p>Learn how to fix your cistern if it has too little or too much water.</p>
<p><img alt="cistern internal" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/cistern-internal.jpg" /></p>
<h4>What you may encounter</h4>
<ul>
    <li>Insufficient water/ water filling in very slowly</li>
    <li>Overflowing water/ water continuously flowing into the pan after flushing</li>
    <li>Why this happens
    <ul>
        <li>Ball valve (beside cistern) is not fully opened</li>
        <li>Ball float is too high/ low</li>
        <li>The rubber seal of the outlet valve may be defective or stuck with fine particles</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>Solutions
    <ul>
        <li>Turn on the ball valve fully</li>
        <li>Lower/ lift the ball float by adjusting the inlet valve&rsquo;s adjusting screw</li>
        <li>Press and hold the button knob for a few seconds to flush out the fine particles. Replace the rubber seal if it is defective</li>
        <li>Engage a plumber to carry out repair/ replacement work if your flushing system is an exclusive one that is different from the illustrations here</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="button knob and ball valve" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/button-knob-and-ball-valve.jpg" /></p>
<ul>
    <li>Maintenance tips
    <ul>
        <li>Check the water level of the cistern to make sure it is not above the maximum level</li>
        <li>Maintain the correct water level by adjusting the inlet valve adjusting screw</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
</ul>
<h3>Water closet (pedestal)</h3>
<p>Learn how you can fix a choked water closet.</p>
<p><img alt="choked water closet" src="/-/media/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/home-maintenance/home-care-guide/toilets/choked-water-closet.jpg" /></p>
<p>You may encounter water flowing slowly to the discharge pipe. This can happen because of a partial blockage in the sanitary pipe.</p>
<ul>
    <li>Solutions:
    <ul>
        <li>Place the plunger over the waste hole and pump vigorously. Usually, the blockage will be cleared after a few pumps.</li>
        <li>Engage a licensed plumber if you are unable to clear the blockage</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>Maintenance tips:
    <ul>
        <li>To prevent chokes, do not dispose of solid items, such as sanitary pads or diapers, into the water closet</li>
        <li>Keep the toilet clean by:
        <ul>
            <li>Cleaning it daily with a solution of diluted household bleach (one part bleach mixed with 99 parts water)</li>
            <li>Disinfect the pedestal daily with household disinfectant</li>
            <li>Flush the water closet after use</li>
        </ul>
        </li>
    </ul>
    </li>
</ul>

Fixing Toilet Flush Issues in HDB Flats