HOW TO FIX A TOILET NOT FLUSHING…. But that’s the least of the problems!!!
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- How to fix a toilet not flushing.....in this video that is the least of the problems with it. this is one of those jobs that anything which could be an issue turns out to be.
However replacing the original parts with Thomas Dudley parts makes it alot better.....
Typical day in the life of a jobbing plumbing
#plumbing #problem #howto
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Every plumber will relate to this video…… 100%!!!!!
Toilets can be THE most annoying thing sometimes….
I find having a couple of pairs of small mole grips works well with seized/rusty nuts & bolts. Especially in tight places.
If the nut doesn’t come off, the grips hold firm enough, to sometimes shear the bolt.
A larger pair will sometimes squash what is left of the nut/bolt, so it will then fit through the hole.
Loving your channel .
Keep the vids coming.
Great video as always. As a plumber myself any siphon toilet I go to now I just change it for a flush valve now make future maintenance a doddle for the next person 👍
Also loving the kit your using got my eye on a second tool bag and that one your using looks ideal is it a Veto ? If so what model ??
Just come across this vid M J Tiff, really made me smile, I am now a retired plumber, and could relate to this 100%, I never had a multi tool, used 12" hacksaw blade, you had me worried when you was working the nut back & forward so easy to break the thin porcelain, and yes always when your doing a love job, I will be looking out of your vids.
Thanks buddy glad you found my channel and like it…
Videos every Wednesday and Sunday at 6pm 👍🏼👍🏼
I had the pleasure of working on a syphon thats been in since 1930. The circular hole on the brass washer had keyholes slightly but apart from that and a bit of greasing it's in good nick! The syphon is solid brass or gunmetal!
Love stuff like this 👌🏼👌🏼
Great vid again: plumbing doesn’t get much more real-world than that. Even as a DIY bodger that was familiar. Those jobs that start with “I’ll just…” and end with me using every tool in the house and every expletive in the book. It’s good to know it’s not just me!
Oh mate, it happens to us all…..
As a flooring fitter I often fit customers own vinyl that they have paid £20 for and people say "why don't you take the toilet out? It only takes 5 mins.... I don't remove them for all the issues you highlighted here. Good job done mate
100% right buddy
But as plumbers we have to lift floors to do our job. And re lay it. Mugs game keep laying the floors never become a plumber. It will destroy you. Mark will attest
@@dmheatingplumbing9805 oh yeh must be a plumbers pet hate that.
It was, now retired after 40 years. Destroyed ma
Excellent vid Mark shows exactly the real world issues with repairing toilets. I've had a few of these cisterns withe recess and just belt and braced em' with some good old Plumbers Mait.
Thanks mate….. love giving an insight into exactly what us plumbers have to go through
Oh I can totally relate to this especially if they’re old. There’s the initial problem of not flushing and there’s all the hidden Aladdin cave problems that reveal themselves. Most times if it’s rigid copper pipe coming up from the floor it won’t reach the new full valve or is just that bit shy due to new doughnut so you got away with that one at least. Yes it always happens with family and they always say “ sure it’s just a small job should only take you half an hour and you end up there most of the day. Great video Thankyou and yes the syphon washer should be enough as it’s inside the cistern. Take care Mark.
Thanks buddy…. Glad you enjoyed it
Easy Mark. I had the same situation. I sadly / gladly filled the recess with a donut of plumbers mate. The plate squashed onto it nicely. Proper water tight.
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Had this experience many times! one tip for the new bolts to keep them in place is to take a peice of cardboard from the box, fold it couple of times and put them between the bolt head and the cistern and that will keep them in place while popping the cistern back on. Buy one metal blade for your multi tool and will fly through them old rusty ones
Good shout on the cardboard trick 👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼
BLOB OF PLUMBERS MATE
Lifetime warranty too mate :>) I had a woman cancel me this week because I insisted on servicing the whole toilet rather than 'fix' the drip. I honestly believe a lot of people think it's an easy job. Not a scooby. Thanks for sharing and keep smiling mate
Cheers buddy…… do it right I say 👌🏼👌🏼
We've all been there... I've used a little roll of non-setting putty on a close couple cistern with a recess like that before, worked a treat and you know you're not leaving a nightmare for the next man
👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼
Thomas Dudley. A man with much integrity. The pioneer of the original cistern syphon volve. A mark of the man, a brass cod food shank.
Best in the game
Pain in the bum those jobs! I always use a blob of plumbers mate to stop the cistern bolts falling out of the plate. Seems to help when putting the wing nuts on too👍
Yep good idea that…..👍🏼👍🏼
Been watching from early days. This is the best video you've done on RUclips. Real life issues, showing how to resolve them.👏. Videos like this are a brilliant go to.
Thanks Allan.
Thanks Allan….. and thanks for the continued support, really means a lot buddy…..
Yer real world plumbing at its best these toilets sometimes
Story of my life … well done good deed done for the sis …. Top job
Thanks mate
nothing better than finding a two parter dudley syphon in any cistern, by far the best.
It’s the dream 😉👌🏼
Another job done well.
White vinegar spray for cleaning up rust. Spray and leave to work while you pop to plumbase or do other jobs, then come back to it.
Nice little tip
15 minutes to change the syphon and fill valve , 3 hours to get the toilet apart! 😂 I use a grinder on many an occasion, multi tools struggles a bit ! Well done for helping your family! Cheers!
Yep….. we all have been there haven’t we🤣🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
With a three part syphon it’s easy to make a new diaphragm out of a piece of damp proof membrane
Glad I'm not the only one who has them problems.. great video again mark
We all do mate…… so relatable 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Toilets are the biggest pain at times, good to see you sing the Rolls Royce Dudley gear is high quality.
Only fit the best😉
Well done mate I've often given half the day for jobs like that 👍👍
Thanks mate
Brilliant vlog mark, you have definitely given me some food for thought on how to tackle these problems if I ever come across them. As always love the content of the real world plumbing keep them coming!
Thankyou buddy 👍🏼👍🏼
I am a joiner, but did exactly this job last week.. Fortunately for me the cistern screws had rusted so much the heads had gone so dead easy.... But the connector wing nuts totally rusted on so had to cut them... Being old school with a hacksaw blade. Same issue with a split membrane, but i changed to a push button as my tenant had young kids so i thought it easier.
This wasn’t a membrane issue in the end, was the spring👍🏼👍🏼
@@MJTiffPlumbing Ahhh yes, I wrote this before getting to the end of you vid🤔. I get my tips from you though, so keep up the good work..
A set of Milwaukee molegrips are darn handy in these situations :). Great video as always bud.
Thanks buddy 👍🏼👍🏼
I could feel your pain on that one. Everything that could go wrong did, well apart from smashing the Pan/Cistern. I think that all manufacturers of bathrooms kit should supply or recommend quality stainless steel fittings so they don't rust (as much).
Yep totally agree mate
Hi Mark, a very fiddly job there, well done with that successful conclusion.
I’m sure your sister will be pleased with the job, I do like the Thomas Dudley products.
I’ve done lots of jobs for family and it always ends up costing me in parts and labour.
Great to see your cracking on with the constant list of jobs, have a great week and as
always take care, regards, Chris. 👍👍👍
Thanks Chris….. yep they are always a bloody fiddly job at times
I can't count the number of times I've done this job and it never gets easier....rusted screws that shear off, rusted wingnut threads, out of whack porcelain moulding - leak city, cruddy plastic thread tails that will cross thread rather than go straight....bloody manufacturers that make odd shaped cisterns so that the water fill fouls on the siphon....it goes on and on......they should be a straight fit but never are! Oh, and don't forget the previous plumber that had a leak and sealed everything with either silicone or plumbers mait !!!...lol
Completely agree mate….. they can be a nightmare
As always top video Mark. Why is it so interesting to watch someone do something we do day in day out. 😂
Hahaha thanks mate…… yep, a few people say that also
It’s because when you watch it you don’t have to worry about it going wrong 🤣🤣
Had a few of these lately , removing the cistern usually means , new screws to hold cistern back against wall , new plate and bolts , new donut , new valve , and sometimes a new iso valve that sometimes lets by after isolating !, you can literally fit a complete new toilet in the time it takes pissing about with an old one .
Sometime Wd 40 helps , or wriggling the cistern from side to side helps remove it
Mark, think this tip has been given before, fold some card wedges and fit between cistern and retaining bolt on siphon plate, helps to keep the bolts in position instead of jumping out and falling into the pan. Did it for many years during my 50 years in the job.
Thanks guys…. Great tips there 👌🏼👌🏼👍🏼
Great video Mark.
I was concerned that the corner of that pan was going to break when using that multi tool, due to the vibration etc.
A better option in a tight place, is a cordless dremel fitted with a cut off wheel or in your situation, pushed up on the cistern bolt from under neath and used the cut off wheel to cut through the bolt.
No vibration and risk to braking the pan.
All good, sisters toilet all sorted now thats the main thing !.
To be honest I’ve done it so many times and never had an issue….. it doesn’t really touch the pan. I know what you mean though 👍🏼👍🏼
@@MJTiffPlumbing 👍But when you are using the multi tool directly on that bolt, you are pushing back on the bolt, against the pan.
The load and vibration from that tool, has to be transmitted somewhere.
The cut off wheel offers no stress or vibration and presents little risk of cracking the pan, same with screws that secure the cistern to the wall Mark.
Use a cut off wheel to remove the heads, then when it is out use a pair of mole grips to unscrew the remaining part of the shanks of the screws.
You asked for suggestion on how WE would have tattled this job at the start of your great video.
So, this the method I use 👍.
That job went quite well compared with the Ideal Standard tulip toilet cistern I had to repair last week. Its a very fussy cistern due to its shape and one had to be very careful on what siphon would fit. Had to cut through the bolts and cut off original syphon as well.
Very awkward
And people think our job is easy🤦🏻♂️
Amazing work my great friend mark
Thanks as always mate👍🏼👍🏼
Been there a few times, adapt and overcome is my motto.
Problem solving at its best these toilets
Hi Mark. Always something when you take toilet apart. Great job mate . Have a good week 👍
Always something to keep you on your toes
Very detailed video. Brilliant!!!
Thanks buddy
Good job again you could not have done it any different with all the different problems your like me doing thankyou jobs for your sister i have two sisters to keep happy its what you do i suppose
Yep….. we’ve all been there for the family
Do about 4 complete toilets a week....always use Fluidmaster or Viva ....can't be doing with Dudley "Stuff " now it's just crap....except for the big " Chunky " basin washers....customers never think it's going to be a complete renewal ...I just show them when it's apart....always use ...Euroflow coupling kit if it's 1 +1/2 ....the days of the metal one's are almost over....the Viva " Slinky " wastes are great as well compared to McAlpines ,but not as great a range... yet !!....enjoy your videos my friend...all the best.
Glad you like the videos mate 👍🏼👍🏼
When I changed mine I bought a plastic plate in B&Q to replace the original metal one which should prevent rust but haven't seen one since.
👍🏼👍🏼
Yes same here was a bit dubious but it worked great
Had a problem last week Mark ‘nightmare job’ the cistern pan hole was a lot wider diameter than the new syphon bottom thread ‘if that makes sense’ ? CT1 done the trick after three attempts of leaking and everything I put in was new, a strange one for me ? I feel your pain bruv.
CT1 is a lifesaver
Great video Mark really enjoyed it.
Thanks buddy
Had a good laugh at the end when it was all done and only for it to be your sisters house haha
🤣🤣👍🏼
Went to watch your video
before having my dinner then decided to watch it afterwards on seeing condition of toilet .😂🤣🤣.
Any way great video.👍
🤣🤣🤣….. sorry mate
Great vid Mark, I seem to be getting a lot of these just lately and they are nearly always a pain in the butt!!
I always carry a battery angle grinder with a 1mm thick cutting disc, it only takes a couple of seconds to cut the bolts! Did you change the fibre washer in the feed connector? I always change it as I have been called back a couple of times for a dripping connection.
Yep replace as much as you can when you can👍🏼👍🏼
I'd have probably done the same as you regarding all the issues, except I'd have used plumbers mait under the plate just for peace of mind but fair play mate, nothing worse than working for family 🤣
I called pimlico plumbers to fix my leaking flush and the guy was useless. Didn't fix it so I went on youtube and after watching several videos like this I changed the whole flush. I had similar issues to you and I also messe 1 new flush up by getting plumbers mate all over it 😂 got another flush, fitted it with no plumbers mate at all and haven't had 1 problem in 4 years. All these videos really do help people Sorry you didn't get paid though 😢
Thanks mate… glad it helped you out👍🏼
What blades are you using on your multi tool? Mine go blunt cutting air
Think they are Erbauer ones buddy
Another good video, when doing the same job myself i allways fill the cistern in the bath to check for leaks before putting it back on the pan👍 also did that old siphon have a built in overflow? Keep up the good work mate.
Yer built in OF on the syphon 👍🏼
@@MJTiffPlumbing wow, i was miles off on the age of it then, also after getting two buckets a couple of months ago i have just got the same wetvac as you after watching you use yours, already using Milwaukee stuff, best thing i've brought, thank you 👍
Was half expecting the screws to snap and the iso to start leaking as well😂.
Its all fun and games this plumbing lark. Bit like fixing cars, 5 hours taking the front end off to unbolt and replace a sensor buried in the engine bay.
And I was to be honest….. everything else had gone tits up 🤣
these push button systems are the best systems i would recommend never looked back when i fitted my own , and they are cheap and you wont need to take the toilet apart when you need to replace them
👍🏼👍🏼
I feel your pain! Perseverance and a few expletives would of been my route! 😄 👍🏻
Yep there was a few of them
Opening up a faulty cistern to see a blue Dudley syphon is like a dream come true!
Hahaha isn’t it just
I’ve just replaced a bath waste for my sister and she not only paid me , but gave a £20 tip too 😄
Perfect👌🏼👌🏼
What were you doing/using before you had a multi tool on job like this pal?
Big hacksaw blade and electrical tape around it
how long duration of the level 2 plumber course to start a job or work to start earning in the UK and need your valuable reply.
Thanks
McAlpine do a stainless steel version of the adapter which also holds the bolts in place, very nice but not cheap
They do now your right…. They are great
Light work bread and butter jobs them Mark. Nice one 👍🏻
Would of been a bit lighter work if it had gone to plan 🤣😉👍🏼👍🏼
I’ve come across a few of these cisterns. I always put an extra 1 1/2 siphon washer underneath to help bridge the gap in the UNNECESSARY !!! recess. Although what you did worked. Nice one. How many times do you cut through the close coupled bolt and try to bend it to snap but it’s not quite enough. Haha.
Or… it snaps under the wing nut !!!!
Hahahaa 99.9% of the time 🤣🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@@MJTiffPlumbing you can choose your jobs but you can’t choose your family !!!
You want the Bosch metal max blades for those bolts,a bit pricey but well worth it👍🏻 Have you been out on your bike lately?
I’m sure I have some in the van somewhere…..
I need to get back out on the bike to be honest
i used to have that problem with bolts.i put small amount plubers mate on them...
👍🏼👍🏼 a few have said that
Used to take me a few hours on replacing parts. Used to do thw pan connector as well at the back.
Now just the internals. I do offer the pan connector if they want. Because ive had it a couple times where theyve failed. After strangely (pan connector)
Now when i do the siphon and fill valve i can do this now in 45 minutes
Yep, as long as it all goes to plan👍🏼👍🏼
Glad to see you fitted a demount-able flush unit in. My only problem is, it looks like the original flush unit was also a demount-able and should of been able to repair it without taking cistern off, a bit confused. But still a great video as usual. I have been a plumber for 35 years and changing flush units are always the worst job.
I was changing all the internals buddy…… got to remove the cistern to do that👍🏼
These are olden toilets , if you see syphon looking 👀 familiar to that one , put a price up straight away, the rusted screws , holding cistern at the back , and you can see roughly underneath it the plate if is mucky, those 3 observations tells you the price straight away, all the best brother .
Thanks buddy….. 👍🏼👍🏼
hello, great video. do you recommend the Milwaukee wet vac.
Thanks….. yep, it’s a must have bit of kit that comes in so handy
I'm getting on fine with the basic Titan wet n dry vac - cost about £100! It sounds like an aeroplane landing but does the job and cos it's 30 litres can handle bigger jobs!
A dremil tool works a treat for rusty bolts
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When fitting the bolts through the metal plate I always tape them in position so when lifting the cistern onto the pan they don't drop into the inside of the pan never to be seen again!!
Good little tip
That was a top change siphon they sell the identical one in city plumbing lol...no way was I seperating cistern from pan lol
You have to if you want to change the whole lot buddy…. Which is what I wanted to do on this job 👍🏼👍🏼
I always have problems with them dudley turbo not flushing when changed for new one
Do you set them right, as they are very good syphons
Yea I do
You actually made it look very easy! Lol
It’s all in the editing 🤣🤣
I always put bead of silicone arond rubber inside cistern no chance then of it leaking also use foam washer between cistern and pan much better
This needed the big thick donut washer…. Big old gap
Never seen a cistern with that lip before!
I’d have probably used plumbers mate to make up the gap but whatever does the job 👍
Nope, new one on me too
I have, when I remember to do this, is when fitting those coupling bolts is put a dab of grease or Vaseline on the threads - may help the next guy who comes along.
Yep a few people have said that… good tip
I'm a joiner so i know i shouldn't be making suggestions but i had the same recess issue on a family members toilet so i rang an old plumber i know and he said to form a ring of plumber's mate in the recess so that when the plate is tightened down the plumber's mate will take up any slack and seal it so thats what i did and 2 years later still had no leaks.(probably tempted fate now)
Yep if there had been an issue that’s the path I would of gone down….. seems to be fine as is..
Always something to keep you on your toes buddy
Hi Mark , another great video. Just a thought: if it was your sister's house, ( you'll be going back when it needs repairing again😅)could you not put a bit of grease on the threads to avoid the frustration next time?
Yep your probably right there……
Good idea, but it’s about time that the plate and bolts were made to stainless steel. 👍🏻
That’s the beauty of those suphons. Hopefully never need to undo the bolts again. All repairs done from inside the cistern
Hi Matt love the vids hope your well
Thanks buddy……. 🤣🤣😉👍🏼
I’ve took the bog out before now and gone in from the back with a Angle grinder
Love it mate
Fair play for not given up on the bog. I would of bought a new toilet for £80👍
That’s an option 👍🏼
"It's just a 5 minute job brother can you pop round and do a love job."...... 😂 we all get these ones with family, .........and so many more with friends that i didn't even know i have.
Hahahah so true
Surely just change the diaphragm as it looks like a 2 part siphon, I put the jam nut on the float valve the other way up to centre the valve in the hole
Why just change the diaphragm when it’s all apart…. Just do the lot👍🏼
@M J Tiff Plumbing if it is a 2 part then why strip cistern out ?
Love a love job ❤
We all have them don’t we….😉
A 4” angle grinder with guard removed and a 0.5mm metal blade works for me .,multi tool is ok provided nothing moves when oscillating…
👍🏼👍🏼
Can be the easiest money maker or the worst job in the world lol ! Had to change a whole toilet the other day just because of a syphon !! Then had to build a platform for the new toilet to sit on due to the old one being ancient, the height of new one was miles off and the pan connector would have been running uphill ! Always fit the Dudley’s too now so can just swap the body without removing stem !
Completely agree mate….. can go either way🤦🏻♂️
Had a similar one sometime ago. Had to change everything on it and was there for couple of hours. Its all good when you get paid in then end. 😂
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Hi Mark. How much for one of your T shirts mate?
Haha! Good little end to this one… blood’s thicker than (toilet) water in this case
🤣👍🏼👍🏼
Feel your pain bud! They can be a pita at times, my personal favourite is when someone has decided to use silicone behind the cistern rather than screws…….I love that🤬
Oh mate…. Then half the tiles come off aswell🤣🤦🏻♂️
Yep absolute pita, or better still one cracks and it won’t be the one behind the cistern it’ll be seen and no one makes them anymore!
Cystern in big rubber washer.. And seal from there...
👍🏼👍🏼
They always seem to be tricky little tinkers.👍👍
Next time leave a bucket so They can flush the toilet 😂😂
Hahahaaa
And some of the pull handles are different sizes through the holes in the cistern
Why would you not try and take the old 2 part syphon apart then using a thick plastic sheet make a new diaphragm if required and then change the spring as you saw it needed? 10-15 minutes and job done then.
Because I had to take it apart to fit the new dudley internals…. As said in the video
Ah the joys of replacing toilet innards and first flush no leaks.....yes victory is sweet. Any one else save brass lock nuts to use on toilet inlet valve threads. Manufacturer here nice new brass threads but have a crappy plastic nut?
Great vid Mark, really highlights a general plumbers bread and butter jobs. I can relate to everything you did here. If I may suggest a few tips. To keep the cistern wing nuts from dropping out push a little ball of plumbers mate onto the fixing plate, itl keep them in place. Another good option is to push a flat head screw driver in between the plate and the nut, again bridges the gap between the nut and the plate.
In most cases if I've replaced all the internals I sit the cistern in the bath fil it and leave for 5 minutes just to be sure.
These jobs can be the biggest of ball aches for sure. Out of interest, if this was a job for a paying customer how much would you have charged, ball park figure?
Yep good few little tips there 👍🏼👍🏼
Probably around £80 plus the bits
@@MJTiffPlumbing Many thanks Mark
Always.. Every time!!! Like I heard myself. 🤣🤣🤣
👍🏼👍🏼
If the c/c fixing bolts where rusted,I would of just replaced the diaphragm,used the old ripped one as a template and use a thick bin liner to make a new one.😂😂The fights I've had getting those bolts off life you've had😅.Also use plumbers gold silicone around Syphon thread then fit fixing plate.
Nightmare mate
What a crappie job mark,
I hope at the very least you got a cuppa ☕️ & a rich tea
Good video as always
👍👍🤜
You know what…. She only gave me a drink once I finished!!!….. bloody family eh 🤣🤣
Mark my own experience might be worse than this one. Both cistern to pan bolts were spinners for me and needed cut out underneath with a grinder. Then when I fitted the Syphon in the new doughnut washer was rock solid and pushed up the toilet a good inch lol not allowing the inlet to connect as it was in copper. Then when I got a new doughnut and everything back together the two screws that held it to the wall (which were not fixed in the first place) didn't line up. Ended up making my own sheet metal bracket as the spot I needed to drill was half on half of backing tiles and was risky to drill on. After all this it worked for a month until the Syphon service nut split due to misalignment of the the c link/plastic arm putting too much stress on the unit. Ordered a new Syphon and toilet handle from there as the old handle had too much limescale to make adjustments to the arm. All this and it was my first time as a diyer but got there in the end
Complete nightmare that was buddy
A sledgehammer works for me every time 😂
🤣🤣🤣
I shouldn't laugh but did at the amount of times you put your grips down and picked em back up cause the syphon nut was so seized lol been their many times still do it , unfortunately I snapped that main angled connector on my tapex kit , bought off of main Amazon supplier and they told me contact tapex , emailed them hoping it's a quick replacement as I use the kit quite often
Hope you get it sorted mate
@@MJTiffPlumbing just had a reply their sending a replacement piece out 👍
Makes it look like replacing with a brand new toilet is much easier
Sometimes it is buddy
Sometimes, the easiest jobs are the hardest !
Totally agree
The "normally easy" easy ones are the most infuriating that send you to ur dark space 😤...Not knocking the multi-tool approach but i always use an angle grinder & slit through the wing nuts when they're rusted 👌I'm a big advocate of the Dudley gear as well 👍
Yep Dudley for the win mate….. only the best😉
Brothers n sisters take note!! You've seen the work that gets put in - transfer some cash to Ur plumbing sibling account today!!!🎉
Sometimes it's easier to go down to WICKES and buy a complete WC to go . Everything new , just needs bolting the cistern to the pan and screw to floor and wall the WC to go.only costs around £70 complete. I've done exactly what you have done many times and the parts are just as expensive as a complete WC to go😂😅😂😅
Yep… bog in a box