Continuing with my WC project, I need to fit a cistern to a close coupled toilet pan.

I got the WC Close Coupling Kit, from Screwfix, 17405, of which I only needed the doughnut ring, or sealing diaphragm.

My problem is that it is too thick and even tightening the wing nuts to the maximum the gap between the pan and the cistern is too wide, at least 1 cm.

Then pan I am replacing was attached to the cistern with a much narrower gap and had a much thinner foam washer.

Am I using the wrong sealing diaphragm?

Just to make sure, I am putting the side of the doughnut ring with concentric cylindrical steps facing the cistern and the central outlet from the cistern into those steps. Is this correct?

I am asking because putting the ring the other side actually makes the gap narrower, but perhaps less water tight.

Lastly, is it better to put some silicone sealant around the ring?

Thanks,

Antonio

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 22:52:03 +0000, asalcedo wrote:


Continuing with my WC project, I need to fit a cistern to a close
coupled toilet pan.

I got the WC Close Coupling Kit, from Screwfix, 17405, of which I only
needed the doughnut ring, or sealing diaphragm.

My problem is that it is too thick and even tightening the wing nuts to
the maximum the gap between the pan and the cistern is too wide, at
least 1 cm.

Then pan I am replacing was attached to the cistern with a much
narrower gap and had a much thinner foam washer.

Am I using the wrong sealing diaphragm?

Just to make sure, I am putting the side of the doughnut ring with
concentric cylindrical steps facing the cistern and the central outlet
from the cistern into those steps. Is this correct?

I am asking because putting the ring the other side actually makes the
gap narrower, but perhaps less water tight.

Lastly, is it better to put some silicone sealant around the ring?

The close coupled sealing kits fit the majority of close coupled WCs.
Often the plate is corroded so the other parts are needed.

There are a few models around which use a larger but much thinner ring
like a small thinnish quoit. No doubt there are other odd ball units
around too.

Silicone grease (not sealant) is your friend. Yes the new doughnut often
is quite a bit thicker than the old tired (and presumably defective) unit.
One you have done up the wing nuts the cistern should be in the right
place. If the doughnut os the wrong type it might not be.
The outer curved part of the doughnut fits the pan.

HTH


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

Hi Ed,

Thank you for your thorough and clear explanation.

I was also thinking of grease, rather than sealant. It makes sense that I just want to facilitate the ring squeezing into the hole on the pan but let the ring do the water sealing.

I will try again with the ring that I have. Once the cistern in fixed to the wall it should be pretty stable and the gap should not be noticeable.

Regards,

Antonio

On Sat, 19 Nov 2005 12:02:40 +0000, asalcedo wrote:


Ed Sirett Wrote:
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 22:52:03 +0000, asalcedo wrote:


Continuing with my WC project, I need to fit a cistern to a close
coupled toilet pan.

I got the WC Close Coupling Kit, from Screwfix, 17405, of which I
only
needed the doughnut ring, or sealing diaphragm.

My problem is that it is too thick and even tightening the wing nuts
to
the maximum the gap between the pan and the cistern is too wide, at
least 1 cm.

Then pan I am replacing was attached to the cistern with a much
narrower gap and had a much thinner foam washer.

Am I using the wrong sealing diaphragm?

Just to make sure, I am putting the side of the doughnut ring with
concentric cylindrical steps facing the cistern and the central
outlet
from the cistern into those steps. Is this correct?

I am asking because putting the ring the other side actually makes
the
gap narrower, but perhaps less water tight.

Lastly, is it better to put some silicone sealant around the ring?

The close coupled sealing kits fit the majority of close coupled WCs.
Often the plate is corroded so the other parts are needed.

There are a few models around which use a larger but much thinner ring
like a small thinnish quoit. No doubt there are other odd ball units
around too.

Silicone grease (not sealant) is your friend. Yes the new doughnut
often
is quite a bit thicker than the old tired (and presumably defective)
unit.
One you have done up the wing nuts the cistern should be in the right
place. If the doughnut os the wrong type it might not be.
The outer curved part of the doughnut fits the pan.

HTH

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

Hi Ed,

Thank you for your thorough and clear explanation.

I was also thinking of grease, rather than sealant. It makes sense that
I just want to facilitate the ring squeezing into the hole on the pan
but let the ring do the water sealing.

I will try again with the ring that I have. Once the cistern in fixed
to the wall it should be pretty stable and the gap should not be
noticeable.

Regards,

Antonio

It sometimes happens that the new position of the cistern is a little
different from the original.
I recommend that you try tightening the wing nuts to a firm hand pressure.
The pour a bucket or two of water into the cistern and test it for leaks
either continuously from the syphon unit or during operation.
If all is well then secure the cistern to the wall and connect the
supply (and maybe overflow).
Sometimes the overflow need to be installed as the cistern is lowered onto
the pan.
HTH



--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html