What do you do if the mechanism doesn’t go up or down?
What do you do if the water doesn’t flush out properly?
How can you obtain a smaller flush?
What do you do if the pan is loose?
Save water thanks to the mechanism flush
Watch out for leaks !
Do you know that WCs are the household’s main consumers of water? Flushes alone are responsible for half the leaks in a household: they can cost you 300 m3 per year and double your invoice! So if your flush mechanism is old or leaky, it is cheaper to replace it!
How to spot leaks : take a meter reading at the end of the day, then simply check it the next morning. If there is a difference, get your magnifying glass out!
Change the mechanism !
Several tests have proven that 6 litres of water are enough, but many toilets still use 10!
Do the test : to find out the volume of your cistern, start by cutting off the water supply. Make a mark in the cistern with a felt pen, then pull the chain. Next, fill up the cistern using a bottle so that you can measure the amount.
If your cistern contains 10 litres, your family of four consumes around 58 m3 of drinking water per year, at a cost of 159 € (at 2.74 € per m3). There are two ways to save water: interruptible flushes (a second pressure on the stop command will stop the water flow). These are somewhat sensitive: if the flow is stopped too quickly, the volume of water will be insufficient, and the salubriousness of the toilets will not be guaranteed; what’s more, you may need to pull the chain again, which is not very economic! Besides, if stopped it too quickly, the cistern will completely empty itself.
Go for 6-litre cisterns instead of 9- or 10-litre ones, now out of date.
To help you to save money, Wirquin offers dual-flush water saving mechanisms that are easier to use. They have two pushbuttons: the first one only uses half of the cistern, and the second one, all of it. The quantity of water is thus flushed according to your requirement, i.e. 3 or 6 litres, enabling your family to save 30 to 40 m3 of water per year (roughly 110 €)! Moreover, this is the only type of toilet flush that bears the mention “NF – water saver”.
Anyone can fit this type of mechanism ! They are very easy to install, and the water-saving double-pushbutton mechanism will enable you to reduce your water bill and avoid wasting water. And what’s more, they are solid! They have been tested over 200,000 cycles (30 years of use).
See water-saving mechanisms.
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Repairing the flush mechanism
Your flush mechanism is leaking, and water is running down the inside of the pan and the cistern fills from time to time. You have to check three things: the ball valve base and the cistern fills from time to time, the washer and the washer valve.
In this case, the mechanism must to be dismantled. Unscrew the push button and remove the top. If the floater arm is too high, the water will run out through the overflow. Bend it a little or turn the adjustment screw (or butterfly screw) so that the water level is below the overflow. If the floater has a hole in it, get a new one. Lift the floater to the top. If the tap doesn’t stop the water, clean it or replace it.
Water can also leak through the mechanism base or valve washer. In that case, clean it or replace it if it is damaged. If you can’t find a suitable washer to replace it, change the flush mechanism.
Warning ! Before making any interventions on your flush mechanism, always turn the water supply tap off. Also take care to observe how your flush mechanism is made and assembled before dismantling it.
See ball valves
Repairing the flush mechanism can be highly beneficial in terms of economy. Anyone can do this, on condition that you are methodical.
Start by looking to see if the water arrives from the top or bottom.
Check that the water supply tap is not blocked. If it is, take the opportunity to change it.
Procedure :
1. Before anything else, turn off the water supply tap situated on the side of the cistern. Flush the toilet, then unscrew the connecting nut to the supply pipe using a spanner, pliers or open end wrench.
2. The cistern and pan are connected by two long screws. To dismantle them, unscrew the nuts behind the pan, from the bottom.
3. Remove the old mechanism base by unscrewing the large plastic nut at the base. Use multi-position pliers to unblock it. Remove any chalky deposits from the china.
4. Place the new mechanism and point the mobile elements in the right direction. The ball valve, which should also be fitted inside the cistern, should not hamper their movement.
5. Place a rubber washer inside the mechanism. A special key, supplied with the kit, enables to screw the outlet nut while compressing the washer to ensure it is watertight (start by hand).
6. Place the two fixing screws in their housing at the bottom of the cistern. They are fitted with watertight rings. Respect the assembly instructions given on the notice.
7. At the same time, fit a quarter-round valve, if there is not already one, in place of your valve tap. This valve can be very easily adapted to your installation.
Remember to change the fibre washers.
1. A plastic screw, situated on the head of the ball valve, adjusts the level of the water in the cistern. Clip the pushbuttons on to the rod of the water-saving system and turn on the supply tap. The economy flow adjustment is made by acting on the mechanism.
2. Check that the washers are watertight, and all will be well! Warning! Never forget to place a plastic washer between a metal nut and the china otherwise, it could chip block !
See water-saving mechanisms.
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Fitting a WC
The choice of WC
Types of pans
1. Standing pans
These are the most popular. There are two possible methods of drainage: horizontal outlet or hidden back outlet. The horizontal outlet is the most common one. Connection to the waste is done by means of a pipe. The hidden back outlet connects the pan to a ground-level waste situated under the pan. These pans should be connected to 100-mm wastes.
2. Suspended pans
With their modern design, they have the advantage of being simple to upkeep. Their height can be adjusted. For correct seating, place 40 cm from the ground. The flushing system is generally inset, thus saving space.
Types of mechanism
1. Flush to pan
This is the most common type. It includes a mechanism that enables to fill and empty the flush. NF mechanisms are more silent and can be operated with dual control pushbuttons (full flush or half flush), enabling to save water.
2. Corner cistern
A good idea if you don’t have much room. The wall cistern is connected to the pan by a flush pipe.
3. High level cistern
High level cistern are connected to independent pans by a flush pipe. They are activated by pulling a cord with a handle. The cisterns can be hydro-pneumatic: water is kept under pressure, giving a powerful (but noisy) flush. They can be replaced by more classical cisterns.
4. Concealed cistern
Usually used with suspended pans. Normally equipped and ready to install, they may also be adapted to independent standing pans. Easy to fit, hygienic and aesthetic.
Installing a WC.
1st step: fitting the pan. Define its position with regard to the outlet and cistern. It is preferable to fit the pan after the tiles have been laid.
What do you do if the water doesn’t flush properly?
Check that the water in the pan outflows at the correct speed.
You can envision, if necessary, replacing your old mechanism by a new one.
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How do you get a smaller 1/2 flush?
Place a brick at the bottom of the cistern: it will take up space and reduce the volume of water.
You may also opt for a dual flush mechanism and only activate a half flush when necessary.
Tighten the fixing screws or change the plugs.
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