Cistern Plumbing

A fully functioning toilet is essential in every home, and when it starts malfunctioning, it quickly becomes a problem for everyone. One of the most common issues that can arise is with the cistern.

As the crucial component that stores the water used for flushing, the cistern must be in top shape to ensure your toilet operates smoothly. If you're facing any problems with your toilet's cistern, the expert team at Upside Down is here to help.

We offer professional cistern plumbing services backed by years of experience, cutting-edge technology, and the latest industry practices to guarantee your toilet's cistern works flawlessly.

To gain a better understanding of cistern plumbing, it's helpful to familiarise yourself with the key components inside a toilet cistern and how they work together.

• Fill valve: This component allows the cistern to refill with fresh, clean water after each flush.
• Flush valve: When the toilet is flushed, this self-closing valve releases water into the toilet bowl.
• Float: This mechanism regulates the water level in your cistern to prevent overflow.
• Chain: Connected to the flapper, the chain lifts it to release water from the cistern into the bowl during a flush.
• Flapper: Located at the bottom of the cistern, the flapper acts as a rubber seal, stopping water from flowing into the bowl until the toilet is flushed.
• Refill tube: This tube ensures the toilet bowl is refilled and maintains a consistent water level after each flush.
• Roller clamp: Attached to the refill tube, this clamp can help control the bowl’s fill level, aiding in water conservation.
• Overflow pipe: This pipe helps fill the toilet bowl with water.
• Flush mechanism: Modern Australian toilets often feature a dual flush system, designed to save water by offering two flushing options − full flush for solid waste and half flush for liquid waste.

Each of these components plays a vital role in the flushing process, replenishing the cistern and bowl with water, and ensuring the system functions smoothly. If any part malfunctions, it can disrupt the entire system, which is when you'll need the expertise of a cistern plumbing specialist from Upside Down.

Common cistern plumbing issues usually involve the cistern not filling up with water at all, filling much slower than expected, or overfilling to the point where water spills onto the floor, creating a messy leak.

Cistern Not Filling (or Filling Slower Than Normal)

If your toilet cistern isn't filling or is filling slowly, there could be several underlying issues. The most common culprit is often a problem with the fill valve. Over time, debris can accumulate, or the valve may simply wear out, leading to reduced functionality and impacting your toilet's performance.

Another potential issue could be with the valve tube. Whether due to age, condition, or if it has shifted position within the cistern, a malfunctioning tube can hinder the cistern's ability to refill properly.

Additionally, a waterlogged float ball can cause problems, as it won't rise and fall correctly with the water level, further preventing the cistern from filling with fresh water after a flush.

Cistern Filling Up Too Much

Just as cisterns can fail to fill properly, they can also overfill, leading to overflow or leaks, which in turn result in wasted water and inflated water bills. An overflowing cistern is often caused by a worn or damaged inlet valve that can no longer shut off the water flow once the cistern is full.

However, there are other potential causes for an overfilling cistern, such as:

• Misaligned or stuck flapper: If the flapper doesn't close properly or fails to return to its correct position, water can continue to flow through, causing the cistern to overfill.
• Incorrect float or water valve setting: A poorly adjusted fill valve or float can allow too much water into the cistern.
• Float valve malfunction: High water pressure can sometimes prevent the float valve from shutting off, leading to overfilling.
• Worn or damaged seal: A deteriorated or damaged seal in the flush pipe can also cause the cistern to overflow.

If your cistern is overfilling or not filling enough, there are some DIY steps you can try, such as adjusting the float level, fixing a stuck flapper, replacing the flapper if necessary, or changing worn seals and washers.

However, if you prefer to leave the task to a skilled cistern plumber or if the issue is more complex than a quick fix, contact the experts at Upside Down.

Upside Down has you covered for all your toilet cistern needs, whether it’s repairs, installations, or replacements. We know how crucial a fully functional toilet is in your home, which is why our expert cistern plumbers combine their extensive skills with the latest technology to restore your system to perfect working order.

Whether you're dealing with a single or dual flush cistern, or even a concealed cistern hidden behind the wall, we're here to help. Whether you need a full cistern replacement or just a routine service and repair, Upside Down is equipped to handle all your cistern plumbing needs.

Our licensed and accredited plumbing contractors bring a wealth of experience and continually update their knowledge through regular training. Our service vehicles are fully stocked with all the necessary tools and equipment to ensure the job is done right with minimal disruption to your home.

We’re available 24/7, every day of the year, making it easy for you to get the help you need, whenever you need it. Our fixed-price quotes remain the same, whether you call us on a weekday, weekend, public holiday, or after hours. We also pride ourselves on our fast response time, aiming to be at your doorstep within an hour* of your call.

We offer flexible financing options**, making it easier to manage unexpected plumbing costs. Plus, all our toilet cistern repairs, replacements, and installations come with a 12-month workmanship warranty and a Certificate of Compliance, ensuring the work was completed by a certified professional.