Toilet cistern pipe - should this be there?!

[clueless78]

Following on from my recent post I contacted another plumber who arranged to come over and quote for removing a loft water tank and altering the pipes to supply mains cold to the bathroom. They arrived earlier than planned as their earlier job that day took less time than anticipated and so actually completed the work that same afternoon - thrilled doesn’t come close!


Anyway, I was aware that pipes which had been under tank pressure for 30 years may not take kindly to mains pressure and to watch out for leaks.

I noticed tonight that there was a small drip coming from a plastic fitting protruding from the bottom of my toilet cistern. I am guessing that the mains pressure to the cistern refill was a bit much for it and has caused it to fail.

I googled and at first thought that it was a simple cistern blanking plug that was needed but then also read about standpipe overflow. On looking in the cistern it had an overflow pipe which I assumed went to the toilet bowl but when I tipped 2 litres of water down to test it the result was 2 lites of water on the bathroom floor as it came flooding out the plastic fitting which the pipe is attached to!

I know nothing about plumbing but even to someone as clueless as me this pipe seems to serve no purpose?! Am I right in saying a blanking plug is what is needed to replace it?

pics attached - appreciate any input

 

[Deleted member 267285]

Hello again,

It appears that the overflow pipe has either never been connected, or that it has been removed. You need the overflow if there’s ever an issue with the float/ball valve not shutting off properly. You either need to reconnect overflow, or blank off if there’s an alternative overflow option, such as a syphon with overflow capabilities. Post a photo of cistern to include this please.

 

[clueless78]

Thanks, at least I have a plumber who turns up now as I think it may need an overhaul in that case.

I’ve never had cause to look closely in the cistern and even if I did it wouldn’t have occurred to me that that pipe led t the floor! I only found out about overflow pipes from googling what the plastic thing was called.

Pics of the worlds grimmest cistern, have circled what I believe the overflow pipe should be connected to?

 

[Deleted member 267285]

No, circled red is part of syphon, overflow is the white standpipe, which should be connected externally or as a clamp to flush pipe.

 

[clueless78]

Thanks, so it’s a replacement standpipe that’s needed (pic in my first post from Screwfix).

At present it’s a standalone tube that means it overflows onto the bathroom floor - please could you tell me the name of the extra part I’d need to buy to connect it to something else and if it’s doable by a very clueless DIY-er or do I need to get my friendly plumber back?!

 

[Mottie]

You either need to connect extra piping to that outlet and vent it externally or change the siphon in the cistern to one that includes an internal drain (so that it drains into toilet bowl). No offence but it sounds like you may need to get a plumber to do it for you.

 

[durhamplumber]

Or take all that out and fit a siphon with internal overflow

 

[clueless78]

You either need to connect extra piping to that outlet and vent it externally or change the siphon in the cistern to one that includes an internal drain (so that it drains into toilet bowl). No offence but it sounds like you may need to get a plumber to do it for you.

Thanks, none taken! Although I’m definitely clueless it’s really handy to have forums such as this so I can understand what is involved and what I need to ask my newfound friendly plumber to do.

 

[clueless78]

Or take all that out and fit a siphon with internal overflow

Thanks, will mention that as an option to the plumber. As above, really appreciate the input of those who know what they’re talking about!

 

[Deleted member 267285]

The standpipe is already in the cistern, you need overflow pipe and fittings to outside. Or as I have suggested and Durham Plumber - fit a blanking plug and fit a syphon with overflow.