Water Closets

Find out how to solve common problems with your water closets. We have also put together some maintenance tips to help you keep them in good condition.

Simple household repairs

Learn how you can repair an overflowing cistern.

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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.

Water level is too high

• Remove the press button knob by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction

• Remove the cistern cover

• Adjust the screw on the valve and washer assembly to bring the water level down

 Ball float is damaged

• Remove the press button knob by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction

• Remove the cistern cover

• Unscrew the ball float and replace it with a new float

Washer is worn out

• Remove the press button knob by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction

• Remove the cistern cover

• Loosen the connector to detach the valve form the cistern
• Remove the washer from the valve and replace it with a new washer

Further guidelines

Learn how to keep your home's water closet in good condition.

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Water closet (cistern)

Learn how to fix your cistern if it has too little or too much water.

What you may encounter

• Insufficient water/ water filling in very slowly
• Overflowing water/ water continuously flowing into the pan after flushing
• Why this happens
  • Ball valve (beside cistern) is not fully opened
  • Ball float is too high/ low
  • The rubber seal of the outlet valve may be defective or stuck with fine particles
• Solutions
  • Turn on the ball valve fully
  • Lower/ lift the ball float by adjusting the inlet valve’s adjusting screw
  • Press and hold the button knob for a few seconds to flush out the fine particles. Replace the rubber seal if it is defective
  • Engage a plumber to carry out repair/ replacement work if your flushing system is an exclusive one that is different from the illustrations here

• Maintenance tips
  • Check the water level of the cistern to make sure it is not above the maximum level
  • Maintain the correct water level by adjusting the inlet valve adjusting screw

Water closet (pedestal)

Learn how you can fix a choked water closet.

You may encounter water flowing slowly to the discharge pipe. This can happen because of a partial blockage in the sanitary pipe.

• Solutions:
  • Place the plunger over the waste hole and pump vigorously. Usually, the blockage will be cleared after a few pumps.
  • Engage a licensed plumber if you are unable to clear the blockage
• Maintenance tips:
  • To prevent chokes, do not dispose of solid items, such as sanitary pads or diapers, into the water closet
  • Keep the toilet clean by:
    • Cleaning it daily with a solution of diluted household bleach (one part bleach mixed with 99 parts water)
    • Disinfect the pedestal daily with household disinfectant
    • Flush the water closet after use