A flush mechanism for a toilet cistern with a button: device and repair tips

Plumbing equipment, even of very high quality, often fails. First of all, this is due to the intensive use of devices. A minor breakdown of the toilet can lead to serious consequences if the problem is not eliminated in a timely manner. The easiest way is to entrust the repair work to a plumber, however, knowing the principle of the toilet bowl mechanism, you can fix it yourself. A flush mechanism for a toilet cistern with a button: the device and repair tips will be discussed in more detail in this article.

A toilet is a sanitary fixture that consists of a bowl and a water tank. The bowl is either wall-mounted or floor-mounted. The water tank is the drain cistern of the plumbing fixture and is located above the bowl. The inside of the tank is a mechanism that performs the functions of collecting water and supplying it for flushing.

There may be some differences in the cisterns. First of all, this concerns the devices that are used for draining: a button or a start lever. Let's dwell on the button version in more detail.

Such devices can be either one or two buttons. Diagram of the drain mechanism for the tank.

• Filling valve. It is necessary to maintain a certain level of water in the toilet cistern. When the water reaches a certain level, the tank stops filling. A special float regulates the operation of the filling valve.
• Tank fittings (drain and shut-off). This design is responsible for adjusting the water supply during the flushing process, so that it does not drain unnecessarily. When the container is filled with water to a certain level, the shut-off valve is pressed tightly against the drain hole, which prevents water from escaping from the tank.
• Drainage mechanism. It is a device in the form of a button for supplying water from the tank to the toilet bowl.
• Overflow device. The mechanism controls the amount of water in the tank. This is to prevent water from flowing out of the tank. If there is an excessive amount of liquid, the overflow tube directs it to the sewer.

The water supply system for toilets is of two types: side and bottom. Devices with a side mechanism are less in demand among buyers due to the rather high noise that occurs when water is drawn. Devices with a bottom feed are more convenient to use, but they have a high cost.

Toilets with one push button operate quite simply. The filling valve ensures that the tank is filled with water, provided that the control float is lowered. After the tank is filled to a certain level, the control devices (float and shut-off valve) are triggered and the water supply is stopped.

To start the draining process, you must press the start button. The valve at the bottom of the tank will open and water will begin to flow into the toilet bowl. The two-button model has a similar operating principle. Descriptions of the mechanism of action of such devices will look the same. Only in this case, one button will be responsible for the complete drain of water from the tank, and the other for partial.

Toilets of imported production may have some peculiarities in the device of the flush mechanism. One-button devices can work in a similar way to devices equipped with a double-button.

Before repairing or adjusting the toilet fittings, it is necessary to provide access to its components. To do this, remove the cover of the drain tank. Most often, the cover is fixed with a ring that is located around the trigger button. Such a ring must be removed by unscrewing it counterclockwise. The bezel is removed together with the button, after which you can easily remove the lid from the tank.

Unscrewing the ring on the cover of old plumbing fixtures can be problematic. If the bezel does not turn, it is necessary to grease it with vegetable oil or pry it with a flat screwdriver at the location of the special slot.

If it is necessary to replace the fittings, it may be necessary to remove the drain tank itself.

This procedure is as follows:

• It is necessary to shut off the cold and hot water supply.
• In order to empty the tank, press the start button.
• A hose is supplied to the container from the side or bottom, through which water enters. This hose must be removed by first unscrewing the fixing nut.
• The tank is attached to the bowl using special bolts, which, in turn, are fixed with nuts. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the nuts, after which it will be possible to disconnect the tank.
• At the bottom of the drain tank is a large plastic nut that secures the fittings. The nut must be unscrewed, which will allow the drain mechanism to be removed from the tank.

Before proceeding with the repair work, it is necessary to identify the place and cause of the occurrence of this or that toilet breakdown.

Plumbing problems can arise due to the following circumstances:

• errors were made during the installation of the equipment;
• improper installation or adjustment of the drain mechanism;
• failure of individual parts of the toilet.

One of the common problems with the toilet tank is the overflow or lack of water. The reason for such a breakdown may be the control float. However, in some cases, the filling of the tank is affected by a dirty opening through which water enters.

An unpleasant malfunction of the plumbing equipment is a drain tank leak. Water can flow directly into the room or continuously drain into the toilet bowl. With continuous draining, the tank will continuously fill up and at the same time may remain almost empty. In this case, check the shut-off valve, which could be deformed or clogged.

If water enters the room, then the problem may be associated with the gasket, which is located at the junction of the tank and the toilet bowl, or with the fasteners (nuts and bolts) of the tank. In this case, you will need to disassemble the toilet and replace the worn out elements.

Owners of devices with side water supply to the tank often face the problem of excessive noise when filling the tank. Most often, the reason lies in a special plastic tube that is located inside the tank and plays the role of a kind of muffler. To eliminate the defect, it is necessary to remove the lid from the barrel and attach the flown-off tube to a special branch pipe.

Features of the repair of the drain tank directly depend on the cause of the breakdown. It is extremely rare that the toilet completely breaks down. Basically, individual elements of plumbing equipment are subject to wear or deformation.To replace or repair fittings, you can purchase a complete repair kit for the desired toilet model or just do the necessary one.

Often, malfunctions associated with the collection of water into the tank occur due to improper adjustment of the control float. Most often, the float is mounted on a sturdy metal wire. If too little water enters the container, it is necessary to bend the wire so that the float changes its position and becomes higher than its current level.

In modern toilet bowls, the floats are fixed with plastic elements. Such a mechanism provides for the adjustment of the float using a special screw. In this case, it will be even easier to set the regulator at the desired level, since you do not have to select the appropriate wire bend angle.

When water fills a container above the overflow mechanism, the problem lies in the shut-off system. First of all, you need to check the part for damage. If the locking mechanism breaks down, it will have to be replaced.

To remove the desired part from the tank, it is necessary to turn off the water, by pressing the start button to empty the tank, remove the lid from the toilet bowl. The drainage device is removed quite simply: the part turns slightly counterclockwise and is pulled out. If the locking mechanism is not damaged, you need to inspect the rubber valve that is attached to the bottom of the part.

If the seal ring is worn out, it must be replaced. As a temporary solution to the problem, you can remove the valve and attach it back to the locking device. Dirt and mucus often accumulate on rubber seals. In this case, the valve must be well cleaned with a brush, after holding the part for several minutes in hot water.

More information on repairing toilet cistern fittings in the video below.