Non-flushing toilet - is the plumber talking nonsense?

[SueDeNimm]

Last night disaster struck...my toilet wouldn't flush!

There's a drip in the middle of the arm that the ballcock is on which wasn't there before, but I don't know if that's related to the main problem - which is that the cistern's simply not filling up. When I put water in via a bucket it does seem to flush OK. Whether I hold the ballcock up or down, no water seems to be coming in.

So I got a plumber round today, who took a look and told me that he thought the problem was to do with the mains tank. Which is in the loft. Which can only be accessed through my neighbours flat and she's not around.

Anyway, have arranged for him to come back tomorrow pm and have left a message for the neighbour to leave me the keys but I don't know if the plumber (just a random one I got through yellow pages as nobody I know can recommend one to me!) is talking sense or not.

The cold water in my kitchen sink and in the bathroom is fine (and bear in mind it's all on a level as I live in a ground floor flat)....so is it possible that there could be a tank related problem just with the loo?

For further information in case it's relevant, I have a combi boiler.

Someone with some plumbing knowledge...please please advise!

 

[brumylad]

follow the water supply pipe back from the wc cistern and see if it goes up to the loft (perhaps via an old airing cupboard), or towards the kitchen and the rising main cold supply.

If you have a combi boiler why have you got a tank in the loft ?

 

[SueDeNimm]

All I know (being a DIY-dolt) is that there's a tank in the loft...no idea whether my supply is actually connected to it or not - just pointed out the main stopcock to the plumber in the shared hallway, and told him about a tank in the loft...and he surmised the rest.

Unfortunately the run where the pipes would go is all behind some kitchen cabinets - and absolute cowboy builders converted the flats 30+ years ago, and there doesn't seem to be any easy access to them - so I can't be sure where the pipes from the toilet go.

 

[kevplumb]

tell him to clean the ballvalve if not replace it

 

[SueDeNimm]

To be honest, I'm so mistrustful of the guy that I think I'm going to ring them first thing and ask him not to come back.

Which begs the next question - does anyone know of a reliable plumber in the NW London area??

 

[kevplumb]

is there such a thing ?

 

[SueDeNimm]

Bloody good question

I do so hate being at the mercy of plumbers/electricians/builders etc - being an office worker is sod all preparation for real life!

 

[kevplumb]

the frozen north is to far to travel unless

 

[breezer]

for what its worth, a whole new ball valve is available from your local diy shed (around £5)

why not get one and take it apart and see how it fits on your toilet cistern then change the one on your toilet

 

[SueDeNimm]

Yep, it is quite a way from Afghanistan isn't it...?

Because I'm totally cack-handed (no pun intended) and I break pretty much everything I touch . Wiring a plug is the only household contribution I've made without mass destruction following...

 

[SueDeNimm]

Ah. Have a local plumber in at the mo who tells me, having cleaned out the ballcock, checked for airlocks etc that some dirt has got into the tank upstairs and so it's completely empty. Has turned the mains off and is sorting it as I type.

The reason why some dirt has got in is that the covering of the tank was disgarded some years ago by some over zealous plumbers. My dear upstairs neighbour then put some wood coverings on which warped and caused an overflow...and seeing as its not on my property and she's always so 'busy busy, you've no idea how complicated my life is' I've not felt able to nag her about getting some plastic ones put on (which I would of course split the cost on - it's just that I can't get access to the loft without her say-so, so it's something that she's got to deal with).

Thank god I'm moving...(fingers crossed, touch wood etc etc).

Cheers for all your advice previously.

 

[blahblah]

So, is the poor berated and untrusted first plumber back in favour or is it a different one who proved him right? You shouldn't expect too many here to feel sorry for you!

 

[SueDeNimm]

Yes, I wondered if anyone would pick me up on that one...

It was a different plumber. In my defence, the first guy took about 2 seconds to look at the toilet, didn't clear out the ballvalve or try to blow out any airlocks like this guy did.

Could be the sign of a better plumber who knew his stuff I guess - but still, that's why I came on here asking for advice, and was told by two different people that the problem was far more basic than he was suggesting...

 

[blahblah]

Suppose there's a reason why the loo is still on a tank and the rest of the flat on mains (apparently). Would end the tank/neighbour problem if it was changed. And don't worry- the other guy may have peed in the tank if he could have got to it!!!