dseagull Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 In our rented house we have a fairly ancient bathroom set - 70's/80's I would suggest (It's avocado-coloured, which says a lot...!) Anyway, earlier the toilet wasn't flushing with any power. I've taken the lid of the cistern to reveal that there is a bleedin' great hole in the top of the cap that connects the two halves of the syphon together (The Blue bit on this picture from Wiki It seems, however, that I can't buy a 'cap'. Replacing the syphon is, I suppose, an option, but as we rent I don't really want to A - mess around with the plumbing and B - spend too much. My question then is a simple one - have I been looking in the right places, as I haven't been able to find this 'cap' online - or, what is it's proper name so that I can do a search of the usual places. Ta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 You're posting this on a modelling forum so surely you must have some Milliput to bung the hole up with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Drain the cistern and when it's dry, use some Gaffa tape.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dseagull Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 You're posting this on a modelling forum so surely you must have some Milliput to bung the hole up with That's not a bad idea! - The 'hole' was more of a split when the problem first arose. Unfortunatley when I put my finger on it to see if I could then flush it properly, my finger went through it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted July 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 3, 2012 Have you tried using it when you were not at a station? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Isn't an advantage of renting that your landlord is responsible for maintenance? As this could be a health hazard something the landlord could be expected to sort soon. When I had a problem with a cistern recently I searched out the manufacturers markings on the original and googled. I found a suitable replacement, with suppliers apparently doing some spare parts but not necessarily all the parts. Like everything else parts may no longer be manufactured. Paul Bartlett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium mezzoman253 Posted July 3, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2012 Try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akKzXEytJHQ it's available in the UK through eBay. No connection other than satisfied user. You can at least make a temporary repair, I don't think you'll be able to buy the cap alone, just the siphon complete. However you may be able to find an old one and take the bit you need, they're pretty standard. HTH Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 You don't want to end up feeling flushed, so let the landlord sort it at their expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinWalsh Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Stu, have you tried using some platicard and mek as a temporary fix until the landlord can sort it out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dseagull Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 Problem is that my finger-poking didn't help... - although it is that old and brittle that it would have fallen apart at some point anyway! Whatever, I'm not willing to let someone else take the hit for it, so I'll either get a very cheap syphon and replace it, or use compound.gaffa tape to do a bodge job for now. Cheers. Pun away.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted July 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 3, 2012 With one that age I suspect you'll have difficulty getting parts - I had that problem with one some years ago and finished up doing a partial renewal changing bits to new where necessary and they would fit with the old, it would have been simpler to totally renew the innards! As BD has said - 'landlord earn your rent' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeTrice Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 As has been stated earlier, get the Landlord to sort it out. If you fiddle with it he might hold you liable for a full repair. Having said that the cost of a replacement unit is not excessive http://www.screwfix....sh-siphon/20824. Fitting will vary depending on whether the cistern is close coupled or not. If it is not then replacement just got easier. I would expect someone competant to be able to replace the unit in under 1hr subject to them having the correct tools, but it should really be down to the Landlord. P.S. You would need to ensure that the new unit is the correct dimension for your particular loo, the above may not be. Have a full bucket of water handy to act as a flush should someone get caught short during the fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Agree, it is the landlord's expense. The siphon unit should be replaced the 'cap' as you refer to it is not a separate part it is plastic welded on. Also a lot of old siphons have changed design (probably to comply with some new ruling of EU or eco) to do with minimising water use. Although fitting a new one is a relatively easy job if you know what you are doing it is possible to create more problems with the seals into the toilet and on the inlet side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike J Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Have you tried using it when you were not at a station? Colin, you're sniggering at the back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted July 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 3, 2012 It is the landlords responsability (I say that having been one), he must repair it and may want to install a modern low flush kit. If you try and repair it and it doesn't work you are liable for any water damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 As has been stated earlier, get the Landlord to sort it out. If you fiddle with it he might hold you liable for a full repair. Having said that the cost of a replacement unit is not excessive http://www.screwfix....sh-siphon/20824. Fitting will vary depending on whether the cistern is close coupled or not. If it is not then replacement just got easier. I would expect someone competant to be able to replace the unit in under 1hr subject to them having the correct tools, but it should really be down to the Landlord. P.S. You would need to ensure that the new unit is the correct dimension for your particular loo, the above may not be. Have a full bucket of water handy to act as a flush should someone get caught short during the fitting. The company I used was http://toiletspares.co.uk/ The replacement the website suggested was quite different from the original - it does use less water so may well have been to do with legislation requirements. As I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing I emailed them and had a helpful response within a couple of hours. Doing the work didn't take too long and it was the correct replacement. Paul Bartlett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 If you get no joy from the landlord and it is urgent to repair it, you could go to the local plumbing store and buy a new syphon (they are readily available). Either locate the valve for the supply to the cistern or tie off the ball float using a piece of wood across the top of the cistern, and string tied round the ballfloat arm, to hold it shut. Undo the bottom syphon nut under the tank and remove the flush pipe. Place a bucket uder the cistern and release to top syphon nut. Catch the water left in the tank using the bucket. Undo the flush lever linkage on the top of the syphon and remove it. Position the new syphon and repeat the process in reverse. If the toilet has a close coupled cistern, call a plumber. There are several seals around the flush pipe and cistern securing bolts which require careful adjustment on these cisterns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 5944 Posted July 3, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2012 If you'd posted this a few weeks ago I could've given you replacement, avocado coloured cistern from my bathroom that I've ripped out! Avocado toilet, sink and shower tray, beige carpet, brown tiles, and one wall painted lilac. It was not a pretty sight! I agree with what others have said, get the landlord to sort it ASAP. By all means do a temporary fix so you can use it, but leave the replacement to him. That's why you pay rent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bayford Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akKzXEytJHQ it's available in the UK through eBay. No connection other than satisfied user. You can at least make a temporary repair, I don't think you'll be able to buy the cap alone, just the siphon complete. However you may be able to find an old one and take the bit you need, they're pretty standard. HTH Rob Just go carefull with te Self Almalgamating tape as it can pottenially leak rubber or at least on fuel lines but for a toilet it should be good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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