Concealed Cisterns

[noname]

My daughter has received a quote to replace all items in a bathroom. The quote includes the replacement of a toilet with one having a concealed cistern. I am a little worried that replacing faulty parts in in a concealed cistern will involve more work and therefore more expense than doing the same for a normal non-concealed one. Is my concern justified?

 

[Last Plumber]

There is no more work involved than any other WC apart from the fact that it is concealed if that's what you meant?

If there is access via a shelf or panel, then it is no problem. Most of them in a built in frame are serviceable internally so you only need access to the tank from the front or top. Roca access is behind the flush buttons panel on some models but you may need a bit more room than just that.

I don't know the make she is having obviously but if you look on Roca UK website, you can see the type of thing I mean.

If it is just a concealed cistern as in, one you wall mount and box/panel in then it is a similar story but you would need access to the side or bottom connections too. The ones in a purpose manufactured frame are pretty well sealed as a unit from my experience so there are no externally hidden connections to worry about.

Hope this made sense?

 

[fowlerboi]

You are right they can take a little more work but correctly designed it should be insignificant.

If we're talking furniture then the best aim is to be able to service it through removal of the upper front panel which prevents you having to take the toilet out.

The two main concerns are

• Dump valve that is replaceable. Most modern dump valves now click out from above and can be changed in minutes. The only concern is sourcing the direct replacement, with a decent common brand all should be ok. I just did a special Grohe one which took a week for the parts to be delivered and was extremely pricey.
• A float valve you can access. Bottom entry float valves are next to impossible to change without removal of either the toilet or the worktop. Side entry take no more than 10 minutes to change

For wall hung toilets or concealed cisterns that are boxed in with large rectangular flush buttons then they can all be serviced through that flush plate, they are fit and forget.