Plumbing problems

Was it the original pan connection that dripped? Drips often arise from the connection of cistern to pan of close-coupled suites.

Figure 1: The WC suite has been removed, a new Mulitikwik pan connector has been installed, the cement pointing between Multikwik and cast-iron pipe spigot still ‘green’ … and the floorboarding will need to be replaced.

Figure 2: Once the close-coupled cistern had been taken off, the author set about removing the rusting plate and the perished rubber washer. You could not have imagined the extent of the degradation! But you may have spotted a tiny drip running down the back of the WC pan, like a tear drop.

The aim of the metal bracket assembly manufacturer may have been to produce a durable component – but the poor aim of the WC user has surely accelerated its corrosion and ultimate failure! The author has encountered other cases where careless responses to the call of nature have created local corrosion problems – notably a steel panel radiator rendered irreparably rusty, damaged by foul splashing from (male) users of the adjacent WC.

Figure 3: Remedy nearly executed. New metal locating plate and rubber doughnut washer. Once the cistern was nicely seated on the new parts, drips were history.

Figure 4: WC pan back in place on new floorboarding. The pan is securely screwed to the floor using long brass screws fitted with plastic end washers and caps.