Is there anyone online at the moment as I'm going to attempt to replace a toilet cistern soonish and wanted to know if someone with know-how would be around for the next couple of hours in case I need advice? I have bought was is supposed to be a universal fitting.

Need more detail as to what kind of pipe you have. What is a cistern. Do you mean a closet flange?

The best way of describing a cistern is that it sits above the toilet against the wall. You press the button to fill it with water to flush the toilet.

It's a universal fitting and the pipes fit fine. I'm a bit nervous about getting the holes in the right place that need to be drilled into the wall to hold the cistern. I there much leeway here, do you think. Can I be a quarter of a centimeter out for instance? How would I get it perfect?

Just noticed the instructions say to drill holes 457mm apart and 362mm in height above the level of the top of the toilet. Does that sound right to you?


It's okay, I think. I have put the cistern in place and can draw marks where the screws should be.


The screws are falling out of the wall because the plaster seems too soft and when I turned the tap back on, water sprayed out of the narrow pipe leading from underneath the cistern to the tap. Any suggestions?

the screws are falling out of the wall because the plaster seems too soft and when I turned the tap back on, water sprayed out of the narrow pipe leading from underneath the cistern to the tap. Any suggestions?

Is this your toilet? Back to you, Tom

Basically. Looks like any other toilet to me though. The pipes look slightly different, that's all.

There seems to be a plug inside the cistern where the water comes up from the narrow pipe. Should this be opened or something? The instructions don't mention it.

The screws are falling out because you can not screw directly into plaster. You must use some kind of anchor. Hollow wall anchors are probably the best type. It would be best to mount some kind of bracket to the wall so you can attach to the wall studs, then attach the cistern to the bracket. A piece of 3/4" plywood cut to the shape of the cistern only slightly smaller, would probably be the most aesthetically pleasing.

This is the cistern.
http://www.stylus.co.nz/products/techpages/205070W.pdf


I've noticed the gizmo that goes up and down with the water level is on the right hand side whereas the pipe leading to the tap is on the left. Am I stuffed? The hole beneath the gizmo may be where the water supply is meant to be.

You gottem Harold! I'm kicking back, He doesn't need to screw the tank to the wall.
He threw me off, I thought he had a wall hung tank. Good night, Tom

Just spoke with the people I bought it from and the plug can be switched to the other side of the cistern. They also suggested a screw with wings at the back so it fans out to lock the screw in place. They should be able to help with other questions.

Thanks for the help though. I'll let you know when we get to flush :)

I'll go along with the hollow wall anchors after seeing the toilet and seeing that the greater percentage of the weight is on the bowl or base. However, note the instructions that require the use of corrosion resistant screws. Normal hollow wall anchors are not corrosion resistant. Note the requirement to use Coroma Kit 601150. Ordinary hollow wall anchor won't last more than a year or two in this environment.

We're flushing again... after around 10 hours of extremely frustrating and exhausting work. I'll spare you all the details :)

My very good friend had to save me in the end and finally got it sorted out. He said I actually hadn't done too badly and mostly it was done. He had to screw the cistern to the wall properly and fix the plumbing tape right to stop the leak. He mentioned it isn't the type of job you give someone new to this sort of work and that his first attempt at installing a cistern was probably just as frustrating.

I only read your message just now Harold. I expect the screws are corrosion resistant since the hardware store plumbing expert knew what they were for and the type of cistern being installed.

I appreciate the time you all took to help sort this out. Thanks.

Congratulations.

Like your friend, that's why we are here.