# Help with a toilet tank problem 'causes plumbers aren't cheap **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 30, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800 "2003-09-30T23:09:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/1 "2003-09-30T23:09:41Z")
(I have a toilet where the tank is mounted on the wall above the bowl and one pulls a string to flush, common in Europe. But I don’t think it makes a difference). A couple of days ago the water in my toilet wouldn’t stop flowing, in spite of my efforts to solve the problem by the popular jigglin’ the handle. So, it got to the point where had to cut off the water to the tank. Today, I felt inspired, turned the water back on, jiggled the handle real hard, and lo the toilet flushed normally and then was quiet again. The problem is that apparently all of the water has drained from the tank. Moving the handle results in a dry sound somewhat reminiscent of the wind through dessicated cattle bones in the middle of a Western-movie desert. (Unfortunately I can’t see the inside of the tank because it is too near the ceiling.) How can I return the tank to a working state? Is it as simple as pouring water into the tank and then flushing once? I would hope this can be fixed without resorting to a plumber (as 90% of home plumbing troubles probably could be), as they aren’t cheap and I’m a poor student. Hopefully there are some people on the board knowledgeable about the matter. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/2 "2003-09-30T23:15:29Z")
Ok, the ‘tank’ is what is called the cistern and it sounds to me like your having a problem with your ballcock which is the ball type thingy which floats in the cistern and regulates the level of water in it. There must be a way to access the cistern, as you’ll need to get in there to look and see exactly wha’s wrong with the ballcock (it may just be stuck). ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/3 "2003-09-30T23:28:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MC Master of Ceremonies \* > \*\*There must be a way to access the cistern, as you’ll need to get in there to look and see exactly wha’s wrong with the ballcock (it may just be stuck). \*\* I’ve found the problem. The length of metal that connected the handle to the inside of the cistern was rusted through and broke. Unforunately, there’s no way to unmount the cistern from the wall without some serious risks, so it looks like I’ll have to call a plumber. ☹ Mods, you can lock this. Thanks for the advice **MC**. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/4 "2003-10-01T00:53:09Z")
You may not need to take the cistern off the wall to fix the arm/handle. The handle is usually fastened to the tank with a nylon nut. If you can get a wrench in there, you can loosen the nut, and replace everything with a new assembly from the hardware store. That’ll cost ~$5. Take a look at a regular toilet to see how the bits are put together. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/5 "2003-10-01T01:10:29Z")
In the meantime, you can flush the toilet by dumping a bucket of water into the bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Extraneous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/0ea827/32.png) [@Extraneous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Extraneous)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/6 "2003-10-01T01:18:47Z")
If that style of toilet is common in your area, odds are the local hardware store stocks replacement parts - take measurements, disassemble the handle and lever, and go to a real hardware store and ask for advice and instructions. p.s. - and yes, a bucket of water will create the siphon effect, but then you will need to re-fill the bowl - 2 buckets of water required - the first gets dumped in quickly (to break the “seal”), the second is poured slowly. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/7 "2003-10-01T01:39:35Z")
Borrow a Polaroid camera and take a picture of the tank innards, and show that to your local hardware store clerk saying “I need one of these”. Much easier than trying to explain and describe the part. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/8 "2003-10-01T04:44:20Z")
That particular part is called the “Unga Bunga”. Ask for it by name. Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations! Just kidding buddy. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/9 "2003-10-02T04:21:30Z")
…buddy?? ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/10 "2003-10-02T04:23:32Z")
You’re still holding a grudge, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/11 "2003-10-02T04:46:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squink \* > \*\*You may not need to take the cistern off the wall to fix the arm/handle. The handle is usually fastened to the tank with a nylon nut. If you can get a wrench in there, you can loosen the nut, and replace everything with a new assembly from the hardware store. That’ll cost ~$5. Take a look at a regular toilet to see how the bits are put together. \*\* CAUTION: This nylon nut (and the part it screws onto) are almost ALWAYS fabricated with LEFT HAND threads. If you try to disassemble it by turning the nut anti-clockwise, you will likely break it. But as long as you are replacing it, the new one will have a new, but still left hand threaded nut. ---
**Author:** ![LorieSmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@LorieSmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LorieSmurf)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-toilet-tank-problem-causes-plumbers-arent-cheap/204800/12 "2003-10-02T05:03:42Z")
I can’t believe no one has made a “ballcock” joke yet. Damn! I wish I could think of one.