Recently my toilet cistern went from filling up in a couple of mins to taking about half an hour to fill before we can flush it again. The other half is usless so needless to say I am trying to sort it out. any suggestions as to where to begin would be a great help. What should I be looking when I lift off the cistern Lid? Please help me!

Liz, February 2006

Heres a step by step guide on how to fix it (with photos so you can see what you're supposed to be looking at)

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/ball_valves/washer_replacement.htm

Tom, July 2007

It could also be something sticking and stopping your water flow, if it's an older cistern, maybe a new syphon would do the trick?

Darren, April 2006

Depends on the type of 'ball valve' but this sounds just like the problem I have just fixed. If valve is type with short nylon arm (about 4inches long) with a large (4cm) coloured ring holding it on, it may be the same, in which case it is a faulty rubber diaphram washer. You must first turn off the water supply to the cistern, then undo the coloured ring which reveals the washer. The replacement - from a plumbing shop will be about £2. They are quite tricky to get back as there is a tiny needle like pin that has to pass through a small hole in the washer. Look at this carefully when you pull the old one out so you can reassemble correctly.

John A, March 2006