How to fix toilet not flushing unless button held?

karinas

Hi team 

The toilets at my home don’t flush unless I’m holding the button down for however long until it flushes. Pretty annoying to say the least. 

If I just press it, only a tiny bit of water flows into the bowl, and it’s not enough for an effective flush. If I’m looking at the water level in the cistern it looks like half a litre at most is being released into the bowl if I just press the button. If I hold the button, it will let water into the bowl until I stop holding the button. 

It then takes forever to refill the cistern after each flush. Sometimes there is no water in the bowl at all some time after flushing. 

It is a caroma dual flush toilet and this happens for both the full and half flush. The property is approx 23 years old so I’m guessing so is the toilet. 

I am Hoping this is some quick fix thing I can do myself with a cheap part. 
I have read some other posts but they’re not really describing the same problem I’m having.

Photos attached (is that a model number on the flush mechanism?) and yes I think I will drain it and get rid of that sediment in the cistern but if there’s anything else I can do to make it flush I’d would be grateful for the suggestions to avoid needing a plumber to fix. 

JacobZ

Hi @karinas,

The reason you only get a trickle when you quickly press the button is likely because the flush outlet valve isn’t “locking” open properly. It only stays up as long as you’re physically holding the button down. In a healthy setup, pressing the button lifts a plastic mechanism that stays up long enough to release the correct amount of water, then drops down and seals again. When that part wears out, sticks, or loses its buoyancy, the valve shuts too quickly, leaving you with the tiny half litre release you’re seeing.

The simplest solution is to replace the outlet valve with a new one. This FIX-A-LOO Thunderflush Dual Flush Cistern Outlet Valve will be a compatible replacement.

To remove the existing valve, turn off the water supply and drain the cistern. Once drained, the existing valve should be removed by disconnecting the flush pipe, which runs from the cistern to the pan, by loosening the nut on the underside of the cistern. Once removed, you can then follow the Thunderflush Outlet Valve Instructions to install the new one.

If you are still experiencing issues with the water filling slowly, then it may also be worth replacing the inlet valve with a new Fluidmaster Bottom Entry Toilet Inlet Valve.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob