How to replace/clean a side entry toilet cistern ball valve

[alibanana]

Hi all,

I've had lots of problems with a very noisy / 'groaning' toilet which after having read threads on this forum i've put down to a faulty / old ball valve (sorry if i'm getting the technical names for this stuff wrong).

So I was first going to attempt to take it apart and clean it but i've never done any plumbing before and don't know where to start.

I've attached an image of it and was hoping someone could explain what I need to do.

I've gotten as far as shutting off the water supply! I just don't know which bit to unscrew and which tool I should be using.

Untitled

• alibanana
• 14 Oct 2012
• 1

I'm guessing if I were to replace it i'd need to buy something like this?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/side-entry-toilet-cistern-ball-valve/88427

Thanks!

 

[boloskyice]

is it mains fed because some mains pressure ones are quite loud sometimes. maybe you could get a silent fill side entry valve that has a bit of plastic wrapping to suppress the sound of water filling up

 

[alibanana]

is it mains fed because some mains pressure ones are quite loud sometimes. maybe you could get a silent fill side entry valve that has a bit of plastic wrapping to suppress the sound of water filling up

I'm not sure what mains fed means i'm afraid.

It has only started making the groaning noise in the past month or so - was totally silent for the 3 years i've lived here before that

 

[buck51]

you need to undo the leaver end of the valve remove the diaphragm washer, fit a new one, and it will be as good as new.

 

[boloskyice]

if its been fine for a while it's probably just old and some scale so better to get a new one in there anyway try for a silent fill one if you can get hold of 1 hopefully that sort the noise

 

[buck51]

By the way thanks for taking the time to learn how to post a picture, it gave me all the information I needed to diagnose the problem, and advise on the easyist remody.

 

[longdogs]

is it mains fed because some mains pressure ones are quite loud sometimes. maybe you could get a silent fill side entry valve that has a bit of plastic wrapping to suppress the sound of water filling up

I'm not sure what mains fed means i'm afraid.

It has only started making the groaning noise in the past month or so - was totally silent for the 3 years i've lived here before that

Turn off the main stopcock in your house, (doing this should turn off your kitchen cold tap). Press down your toilet valve, if water still gushes out then it is probably tank fed (tank in your loft). If it has stopped letting water than it is mains fed.

 

[alibanana]

Ok so it seems to be mains fed as when I turned off the water supply it stopped refilling.

you need to undo the leaver end of the valve remove the diaphragm washer, fit a new one, and it will be as good as new.

Sorry to sound stupid but when you say the lever end which bit do you mean? Are you talking about one of the big white plastic rings with the notches on? What tool would I need to do this?

When you say diaphragm washer do you mean one of these? http://www.wickes.co.uk/ball-valve-diaphragm-washer-pk2/invt/421629/

Thanks for all the help so far!

 

[alibanana]

Hi guys if anyone has answers to my previous post would be much appreciated - I want to try and get this sorted this weekend =)

 

[Charnwood]

That is the right washer.
Undo this nut:
View media item 51510It might only be hand tight. If not an adjustable spanner might do the job.