How to install a gasket between a cistern and a toilet: when to change the seal

In any plumbing device, and the toilet is no exception, there are small, but very necessary parts - rubber seals. Their mission is very important - they not only connect the parts of the product together, but also seal it against leaks. However, time treats them mercilessly. Gradually, they become unusable and can no longer hold back the water. They need to be changed. How to do it? Let's try to find out.

Types of gaskets used for the toilet

In fact, all seals used in drain tanks can be divided into those that seal and those that absorb. The second option can be found in expensive models - they allow the upper and lower parts not to contact each other. For manufacturing, either rubber or silicone is usually used, the form itself is quite diverse:

1. Round gaskets. This type is most often found. The product has a large thickness, it can be made of black or white rubber. There are also budget options made of foam rubber, but you will go broke faster on them, since they serve no more than three days.
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2. Oval-shaped gaskets. They were often installed on older models of devices. In modern performance, you can hardly find them. This type of seal is made of thick rubber, lasts a very long time, but requires a lot of force to press down during installation.
3. Trapezium gaskets. Very rare. Their main disadvantage is the need to use screws for connection. But they serve for a long time and are well fixed.
4. Universal type gaskets. Along the outer edge they have an even texture and a smooth surface, but inside they have the shape of an equilateral hexagon. Allows you to securely fix, even in spite of a weak tightening of the bolts.

How to install the gasket between the cistern and the toilet

If you need to replace the toilet seal, you must first remove the cistern. To do this, you need to follow the sequence of actions:

1. Shut off the water supply.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Drain the water.
4. Wipe the tank dry.
5. Unscrew the water supply pipe.
6. Unscrew the lock nut that holds the siphon in the tank.
7. Unscrew the bolts securing the tank.
8. Remove the tank.

On older models, the toilet and cistern were fastened with metal bolts. Metal, unlike modern polymers, is subject to corrosion. This leads to difficulties when trying to unscrew them. To facilitate the task, it is necessary to spray WD-40 onto the surface of the bolts. Kerosene is better than this composition with rust. After removing the tank from its place, the following actions are necessary:

1. Remove the old cuff.
2. Preparing a place for installing a new gasket. The installation site should be cleaned of dirt and dried.
3. We put a new gasket.
4. To strengthen the tightness, we treat the gasket with a sealant.
5. We put the tank back and fix it. Tighten the screw slowly so as not to harm the toilet. First, we tighten the first screw a few turns, then the second one as well. If you immediately tighten the screw to full force, then the gasket may be displaced or damage to the drain tank.
6. We connect the internal fittings of the tank and fix it with a lock nut.
7. We connect the water supply hose, but we do not supply the water itself.
8. After two hours, which are necessary for the sealant to harden, we turn on the water supply to the drain tank.
9. We check if there are any leaks at the joints.

As you can see, there are no questions about replacing the old gasket with a new one between the drain tank and the toilet. The whole process of work can be carried out without the involvement of outside forces and using a minimum of tools. It is only necessary to periodically carry out preventive examinations to reduce the risk of leaks.

Attention! Typically, damage occurs when you least expect it. And the longer the repair is delayed, the more serious damage this can entail. The only option in such a situation is to temporarily fix the malfunction.

There are several options:

1. You need to cut out a small strip of fabric and soak it in the paint. Oil paint is needed. The drain tank must be lifted (an assistant is needed here) and, while it is raised, wrap the cloth over the damaged area. For a more effective result, the fabric is secured with a rope or a clamp, after which the tank can be lowered. Once the paint is dry, you can use the toilet.
2. A rubber tape can be applied to the damaged element. You can buy it at the pharmacy. The tape is stretched and applied to the damage. You can fix it with wire.

When to change the seal

All seals used between the drain tank and the toilet are in most cases made of rubber. Everyone knows that rubber gradually loses its quality under the influence of moisture. It ceases to be elastic and rigidity appears. This means that there is a high probability of cracks on the surface. Through these small cracks, water will always find its way and give us a signal that it is time to replace the gasket. The main signs of the need for an early change of the seal:

1. Traces of water are visible on the floor. If this is not condensation from the tank, which forms during cold weather, then, most likely, it is the gasket that is leaking.
2. On examination, damage was found on the gasket. To visually inspect the gasket, you need to remove the tank from its place.

Inspection is often not enough - it is necessary to probe the seal. If it is hard to the touch and not elastic, it would be better to change it.