A concealed toilet cistern is a fundamental component of any modern bathroom. In addition to their aesthetic appeal and clean finish, concealed cisterns can mask the appearance of bulky pipework and apparatus. While cabinet cisterns have long been a popular choice for interior designers, wall-hung toilets are becoming increasingly popular among those who want the entire cistern hidden, as this creates a spacious feeling and allows for easier cleaning.
However, with so much hardware tucked away out of sight, accessing the inner workings of your toilet can be a challenge. Plumbing issues can arise at any time, yet dismantling a cabinet or knocking through a wall seems like an extreme solution.
So, we’re here to shed light on the mystery of the concealed cistern, and how to go about accessing yours.
What you’ll need:
• Screwdriver
• Sharpened knife
How to access a concealed cistern in a cabinet:
Step 1: Locate the access panel
If you’re eager to have a peek at the plumbing inside a cabinet toilet cistern, fear not! Though they look seamless, these units are usually relatively easy to get into as most access panels are only secured by clips. Start by identifying a panel you can remove from the top or front. By gently levering an edge with a screwdriver, it should pop out of the clips.
However, some flush buttons are screwed into the cistern, so the panel won’t budge until you remove the flush plate.
Step 2: Remove the push button
If the button is round, grip the sides and gently unscrew it in an anti-clockwise direction. If it’s a rectangular panel, slide it upwards to release it, or try lifting the cover plate gently with the edge of a flat-headed screwdriver. Flush buttons can be connected to air hoses that may need disconnecting before you try removing the panel.
Once the button is off, you should be able to lift the panel off to gain access to the concealed cistern.
How to access a concealed cistern behind a wall-hung toilet:
Step 1: Locate the access panel
Wall-hung toilets are mounted on a frame attached to timber studs behind the wall, with the flush plate located above. The plasterboard and tilting are then installed over it with a hidden access panel. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a system with an access panel behind the flush panel.
If this is the case, all you’ll need to do is slide the flush panel firmly upwards to remove it from the wall.
Step 2: Remove the flushing rods
Behind, you’ll see the two flushing rods, which can be removed by turning them anticlockwise and pulling them out.
If your wall-hung toilet is suffering from a lacklustre flush, the most likely culprits are the flushing rods themselves. Flushing rods are manufactured with grooves along them where you can snap them to the right length to accommodate the thickness of the wall and tiles. A slightly lazy installation could mean that they haven’t been snapped off to the correct length for your setup – so now’s your chance.
Step 3: Identify the debris plate
If you still need to reach the cistern itself, unscrew or unclip the two bolts on either side and remove the plastic cover to reveal the debris plate. There are usually two small levers at the top you need to push down to reveal the cistern parts behind.
If you remove the flush panel to find you have no access to the cistern, your installer may have created a tiled access panel, which is siliconed in place. Look for a silicone joint where a grout joint should be and cut it through with a sharp knife to release the panel.
And there you have it! You now know how to gain access to your concealed flush cistern! Your plumbing skills know no boundaries.
If you think your toilet needs an upgrade, discover our range of close-coupled and wall-hung toilets.
