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My Toilet Cistern

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Connemmara | 09:54 Tue 13th Aug 2013 | Home & Garden
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You can see a little dribble running down at back of toilet - I think it is something to do with the stopcock. Can I bend stopcock or do anything.
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Yes you can Conne, bend it down a little.
Is the toilet 'close couple' (the modern look) or is the cistern connected to the pan by a pipe (the ugly, cheaper and much more practical version!)
Is the dribble coming from the bottom area of the cistern where water goes into the pan?
If so it is the washer that seals this point that has perished (happens occasionally).
This is easy to remedy on the cheap and ugly toilet type but a bit of a three-act play with the close-couple type - you have to buy a 'donut washer' kit at B&Q (or wherever) and take the cistern off the wall.
Not hard in itself but inevitably bolts have ceased up etc etc.
If the bar is made of metal then you could try bending it upwards a little to ensure it tries to close off in inflow earlier. If it is plastic you may need to see if there is something you can adjust. If that fails then it's probably a seal issue.
I'm guessing you mean a dribble running down the back of the pan.
If you bend the stopcock as advised ... you will have no effect on the dribble, as the stopcock is a tap fitted on the mains supply usually fitted fairly close to the floor, under the sink or under the stairs and is used for isolating the mains water supply to a property.

Once again I'm guessing ... but as mosaic says if it is a close coupled cistern The dribble may be caused by one of three things... either the flush valve seal is leaking. Or the inlet valve is leaking and causing the internal overflow to allow a dribble of water into the internal flush pipe, and from there on into the pan.
Or the donut as previously stated, is letting water dribble past it.
Without being able to look inside the cistern it is difficult to identify which of these is causing the fault.
As a rule all dribbles in the pan tend occur when a close coupled cistern is fitted. Unless you are confident in separating water connections and removing a cistern, I feel you should be looking for a plumber.
If you are unsure of how to locate a reputable plumber have a look at your local Trading Standards website. You will find a list of local plumbers who are willing to do smaller jobs.... (jobs under £75.00)

Whatever you do dont bend any metal bar (ball or float vave) upwards as this reduces pressure on any washer and will cause it to leak even more.
Good luck..!
Conne, is this dribble IN the toilet, or down the back outside the pan?
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Boxy in the toilet pan at the back - however, was able to lift stopcock out and bent it a little and so far the dribble has stopped. If it was to get worse my nephew is a plumber so that's a plus.

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