"under-performing" toilet. The flushing action has become very weak.

Hi,
I need help with an "under-performing" toilet. The flushing action has become very weak. The lever needs to be pumped to release enough flow to adequately flush the toilet.

I checked the basin, the water is at the required level but when I flush, water is released into the basin and the flush only lasts 2 seconds.

I looked at a few links on the internet about clearing holes under the rim but i cant seem to locate these in order to clean?

Its not great telling guests to double flush when finished, it brings a bad reaction from guests lol.
Any ideas.
Also, there’s a hissing sound coming from the pump/basin when i continually flush.
Cheers

Have you checked to see if the membrane in the siphon has ripped? This happened to us, and it was an easy job to replace it with a bit of plastic.

Had the same problem myself a while back,and it was the plastic membrane in the siphon that was ripped.Simple enough job to replace it with another peice of plastic.

cheers lads for the replies..

With the big freeze, i had more problems to contend with, but I wont get into that...

I was advised to ring a plumber to solve the issue? Really? How hard is it, and where would i buy a new siphon?

Cheers for the advice

The siphon membrane looks something like this:
http://www.tilion.org.uk/images/IMG_2183.jpg
Some are circular some oval etc...
AFAIK you have to take the siphon out to get at it!
If it is torn then:
Look the diagram at post #4 at
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=90119

To replace the membrane you need to:
Tie up the float so no more water enters the cistern. (Put a bit of wood across the cistern and tie up the float at the level it is at when the cistern is full)
Flush the toilet to get rid of the water already there. (There will always be SOME water left - use a big sponge to soak up what is left and squeeze it into the sink or toilet bowl)
Disconnect the 'Lever arm' from the 'Lift rod'.
Disconnect the 'inverted U-pipe (siphon)' from the 'Flush Pipe'. This is when some water might escape if there is any left in the toilet cistern. The siphon membrane is inside the 'Dome' and labelled as 'Flap valve and plate.
Take the 'inverted U-pipe (siphon)' to a good plumbing supplier and either get a new membrane or a new siphon. You could probably get them in a general hardware but a good plumbing supply will be your best bet!!!
Then refit everything in reverse!

Or call a competent plumber and wait for the appointment!

What a great illustrated post Crugers - we have the same problem as the OP and love your answer! Cheers

Crugers said:

The siphon membrane looks something like this:
http://www.tilion.org.uk/images/IMG_2183.jpg
Some are circular some oval etc...
AFAIK you have to take the siphon out to get at it!

Look the diagram at post #4 at
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=90119

To replace the membrane you need to:
Tie up the float so no more water enters the cistern. (Put a bit of wood across the cistern and tie up the float at the level it is at when the cistern is full)
Flush the toilet to get rid of the water already there. (There will always be SOME water left - use a big sponge to soak up what is left and squeeze it into the sink or toilet bowl)
Disconnect the 'Lever arm' from the 'Lift rod'.
Disconnect the 'inverted U-pipe (siphon)' from the 'Flush Pipe'. This is when some water might escape if there is any left in the toilet cistern. The siphon membrane is inside the 'Dome' and labelled as 'Flap valve and plate.
Take the 'inverted U-pipe (siphon)' to a good plumbing supplier and either get a new membrane or a new siphon. You could probably get them in a general hardware but a good plumbing supply will be your best bet!!!
Then refit everything in reverse!

Or call a competent plumber and wait for the appointment!

Click to expand...

Thats great info crugers. Really appreciate it.
The diagrams make everything clear.
Cheers

Had a similar issue in my parents place a few years back. Took the flush mechanism apart but could see no obvious damage, but then notied that a film of slime had built up over the years on the membrane. Just gave this and the rest of the flush a good clean and that did the trick.
Leo