My loo takes ages to fill after flushing. The water just seems to trickle back into the cistern. Low level Armitage Shanks 'bout 20 years old!

Laura, March 2007

Further to my earlier answer my fix was for Armitage Shanks
quiet fill valves not the cheaper ball valves.

Alan Bayley, May 2007

If it has been working fine in the past all you need to do is replace the rubber diaphram which you can usually buy at B&Q. They harden with age and restrict the water flow. Turn off the water supply and unscrew the locking collar behind the float and remove it. You will see the diaphram it inside the body of the valve. Prize it out and replace it with the new one, the refil time will now return to as new.

Alan Bayley, May 2007

Laura, have a look inside the cistern and check the large plastic float is dropping right down when the cistern is empty. If not, bend the metal rod by hand to allow it to do so. (MAKE SURE IT WILL MOVE UP AND DOWN FREELY IF YOU DO THIS)
If plastic, call a plumber.
Check the water supply pipe to the cistern to ensure any isolators fitted are opened fully (lever valves in line with pipe, slots in valves in line with pipe, wheel valves with wheel fully anticlockwise)
If this is not of help, you will need to check free flow of water and operation of ballvalve mechanism inside cistern

Ian, March 2007

Maybe you have a high pressure jet in the ball valve but low water pressure (tank fed, not mains water).
Possibly a blockage, or worn/swollen ball valve seal.
If you have the original ball valve in there, it might be worth replacing with a modern type.

Pete, March 2007

has it aways been the same

hi-spec plumbing, March 2007