there is a long term leak at the back of the toilet cistern. I think its where the water is released when the flush is pulled. Have tried fixing with a waterproof fixer, but still leaks. Does it need to be fixed when the water is OUT of the tank?

Em, August 2010

thank you !!

EMMA, September 2010

Peccavi has explaned it very well.

erj, August 2010

I fixed mine - took about an hour because I was learning... Between the two is a doughnut shaped washer compressed by a metal plate with the pressure applied by two wing nuts - at the back - one each side - pointing downwards. You can often fix a leak here just by tightening the wing nuts... Otherwise buy a new doughnut washer kit from a DIY store - Turn off the water supply - flush the loo - undo the water inlet pipe - remove the two wing nuts - remove the two fixing screws at the top of the cistern that hold it to the wall - carefully lift the cistern and tip any remaining water into the loo. In my opinion the "seal" does not require any sealing compound - the squishyness of the washer and the relatively low pressure are usually enough. Check also by squinting at the washer from the side - it should be thin and above all parallel - if not parallel you will never get an effective seal. Good luck...

Peccavi, August 2010