Cistern repair in Exeter
Professional cistern repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Toilet constantly running? Won't flush properly? I'll repair your cistern mechanism quickly - usually just worn parts that need replacing. Stop the water waste, get a proper flush again.
That Constant Trickling Sound
You can hear it all day. Water running into the toilet bowl non-stop. Your water meter's spinning like a slot machine, and every flush is a gamble - will it work, or will you be there jiggling the handle for two minutes?
💡 Pro tip: A constantly running toilet can waste up to 400 litres per day. On a water meter, that's £300+ a year literally going down the toilet.
What Usually Goes Wrong
Cisterns are simple mechanisms that wear out over time:
| ✅ Working Properly | ❌ When It's Faulty |
|---|---|
| Fills to right level, stops | Keeps filling, overflows into bowl |
| Strong, complete flush | Weak flush or no flush at all |
| Silent between uses | Constant trickling or hissing |
| Water bill normal | Bill creeping up monthly |
| Flush lever works first time | Have to hold handle down or jiggle it |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Diagnose | Identify which part is faulty (fill valve, flush valve, siphon) |
| Repair/Replace | Fit new mechanism - usually the fill valve or flush valve |
| Adjust | Set water level correctly, ensure proper flush |
| Test | Multiple flushes to confirm it's working properly |
📦 You're Left With
- Toilet that flushes properly every time
- No more constant running
- Lower water bills
- Silent cistern
Pricing Guide
| Issue | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Fill valve replacement | 30-45 mins | £60-£85 |
| Flush valve/siphon | 45-60 mins | £85-£110 |
| Simple adjustment | 15-20 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Parts included for common mechanisms.
Perfect For...
✅ Running toilet - water trickling into bowl constantly
✅ Weak flush - have to flush twice for everything
✅ Won't stop filling - overflow pipe constantly dripping
✅ Noisy cistern - hissing or whistling after flushing
Why Choose Us for Cistern repair in Exeter?
Stop water constantly running
Lower water bills (could save £300/year)
Proper flush every time
All common parts carried in the van
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose The Problem
I'll take the cistern lid off and identify what's failed. Usually it's obvious - the fill valve not shutting off, the flush valve seal perished, or the siphon diaphragm split.
Step 2: Replace The Faulty Part
Out with the old, in with the new. Most modern cisterns use easy-to-replace cartridge-style mechanisms. Older ones need a bit more work but nothing complicated.
Step 3: Adjust Water Level
Set the float valve to fill to the right level - not too high (wastes water) or too low (weak flush).
Step 4: Test Thoroughly
Multiple flushes to make sure everything's working. Check it's not running, check the flush is strong, check the fill valve stops properly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Cistern repairs are actually quite doable if you're confident with basic plumbing:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanner
- Screwdriver
- Replacement part (fill valve, flush valve, or siphon)
- Old towels
- Bucket
🔩 Common fixes
For a running toilet:
- Turn off water supply to cistern
- Flush to empty cistern
- Unscrew old fill valve
- Fit new fill valve (usually a Torbeck or similar)
- Adjust float height
- Turn water back on and test
For weak flush:
- Turn off water, flush to empty
- Remove flush mechanism (unscrew from bottom of cistern)
- Replace siphon diaphragm or whole flush valve
- Reassemble, refill, test
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not turning water off first (flooded bathroom)
- Losing small parts down the toilet
- Over-tightening plastic threads (they crack)
- Wrong replacement part (there are dozens of variations)
- Forgetting to put washers back in the right order
💡 Pro trick: Take photos with your phone as you disassemble - makes reassembly much easier. Also, take the old part to the plumbers' merchant to make sure you get the exact replacement.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Old house in Exeter? Victorian and Edwardian cisterns often use siphon flush mechanisms (not modern flush valves). Parts are still available but not usually stocked in B&Q - I carry them specifically for older Devon properties.
Dual-flush cistern? These have more complex mechanisms that can fail in several ways. Sometimes it's cheaper to replace the whole flush valve assembly than mess about with individual parts.
Low-level or high-level? High-level cisterns (Victorian pull-chain style) are straightforward to repair but you need a ladder to reach them. The mechanisms inside are actually simpler than modern ones.
Cracked cistern? If the porcelain itself is cracked, there's no repair - you need a new cistern. But that's rare. Most issues are just worn-out internal mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cistern needs repair?
Toilet constantly running? Won't flush properly? Makes weird noises? Visible water leaking into the bowl? All signs your cistern mechanism needs attention. The most common issue is the fill valve or flush valve failing.
Can you fix old-fashioned high-level cisterns?
Absolutely. Victorian pull-chain cisterns, 1970s close-coupled, modern dual-flush - I've worked on them all. Exeter's full of older properties with heritage bathroom fittings. Parts can be trickier to source but I usually have what's needed.
Will you need to replace the whole cistern?
Rarely. Nine times out of ten it's a worn siphon, dodgy fill valve, or perished flush valve seal. All fixable with replacement parts. If the cistern itself is cracked or the fixings are completely corroded, then yes - but I'll tell you that upfront.
How much water am I wasting?
A running toilet can waste 200-400 litres per day. That's around £300 a year down the drain if you're on a water meter. Even a slow trickle adds up fast. It's worth fixing quickly.
Do I need to buy parts first?
No - I carry the common parts (fill valves, flush valves, siphons, etc.). If you've got something unusual I might need to get a specific part, but I'll let you know after I've had a look.
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