Tyde Torbeck Diaphragm Washer With PIN

This category covers toilets and their parts: close coupled, back to wall and wall-hung pans, cisterns, toilet seats, wall-hung frame plates, and the fill valves, flush valves, component packs and washers that keep a cistern working.

Toilet types

• Close coupled: the cistern sits directly on the back of the pan, which keeps fitting simple.
• Back to wall: the pan stands against a wall or furniture unit, with the cistern concealed behind it.
• Wall-hung: the pan is fixed to a frame inside the wall, with a concealed cistern worked by a flush plate.
• Raised height: taller pans that make sitting down and standing up easier.

Replacing a toilet or its parts

Check where the soil pipe leaves the room: a horizontal outlet pan suits a pipe through the wall, a bottom outlet pan one through the floor. Close coupled pans and cisterns are made as matching pairs, so replace them together or match the model. Note whether the cistern's water supply enters from the bottom or the side. For seats, measure the pan and check the hinge: top fix hinges are tightened from above, which helps on back to wall and wall-hung pans, while bottom fix hinges are tightened from underneath.

Flush volumes and regulations

In England and Wales, the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 limit a single WC flush to 6 litres, and on a dual flush the smaller flush must be no more than two thirds of the full one. Dual flush cisterns are commonly 6/4 or 4/2.6 litres; some low volume cisterns can be turned up to 6/4 litres if the drains need more water to clear. Part G of the Building Regulations covers sanitation and Part H covers drainage.

For valves, seals and repair kits, see toilet spares and parts, or browse toilet cisterns and pans.