A toilet cistern valve is a mechanism that essentially opens to push standing water from the cistern into the toilet pan, closes to keep the water stored in the cistern, and controls the level of water. It is an essential mechanism in flushing a toilet and, whilst quite simple in many senses, there are different ways that a cistern valve can work. There are two parts that make up the toilet flushing system: a filling mechanism, which controls the level of water in the cistern, and a flushing system – the valve that forms part of this will be at the bottom of the cistern and is controlled by the flushing control. The water will be able to pass into the bowl because of this valve.

It is very important that the right cistern valve is used because this has big implications for water usage and efficiency. Because flushing the toilet accounts for so much of the water usage within a home, if there is a problem with the cistern valve, this can mean water wastage. There are also water saving options available, so if you’re not sure how to choose and install the best option, it might be best to get a professional to fit a new toilet cistern valve for you. If you don’t you might pick an option that either isn’t suitable at all, or that isn’t going to be as efficient in terms of water usage as others. It’s therefore very important that you pick the right option from the off. While a valve itself might not be an especially expensive component, it could become an expensive mistake to not fit the right one.

How Do You Know if You Need a New Toilet Cistern Valve?

You can usually tell if there is a problem with the cistern valves when the toilet isn’t flushing properly. The valves might not be opening properly, in which case the toilet might not flush. If they are not working, the flushing button might not work at all. More serious problems with the cistern could involve leaking, which might need immediate attention from a plumber, especially if you are not sure what is causing the leak.

You might also need a new toilet cistern valve to make your toilet more efficient and use less water, but you might not actually know about this if you are not a plumber or have not carried out a great deal of repairs of this nature. If you think you might need a more efficient option for your toilet, it might be worth checking with a plumber first.

Fitting a New Toilet Cistern Valve

It’s possible to fit a new toilet cistern valve yourself but you do need to know what you’re doing, as you’ll probably need to shut off the water supply to the toilet for parts of the process. You’ll usually be able to use an isolating valve, unless you toilet doesn’t have one of these. You’ll also need some basic equipment, like a pair of grips and a flat head screwdriver. If you have these and you use detailed instructions, you should be able to replace your toilet cistern valve.