Installation, replacement and repair
Toilet flush and cistern repair
A toilet that keeps running, flushes weakly, refills slowly or has a stuck button usually has a worn part inside the cistern. Fixing or replacing the flush mechanism is a short job and does not need a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Typical price
$70–$200per job, standard parts includedTypical job time
30–90 min
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
When to replace or repair
- Water keeps trickling into the bowl long after flushing.
- The cistern hisses or refills on its own every few minutes.
- The flush is weak and does not clear the bowl in one go.
- The cistern takes a long time to refill, or does not refill at all.
- The push button or lever is stuck, loose or has to be held down.
- Water drips onto the floor from under the cistern or at the inlet connection.
Common reasons
- A worn or warped outlet seal that lets water leak into the bowl.
- An inlet valve or float that does not shut off, so water keeps running into the overflow.
- Grit or scale in the inlet valve, slowing the refill.
- A broken button, snapped linkage or misaligned flush rod.
- A water level set too low, or an angle valve that is partly closed.
- A perished seal between a two-piece cistern and the bowl.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Add a few drops of food colouring to the cistern and wait 15 minutes without flushing. Colour in the bowl means the outlet seal is leaking.
- Check the angle valve behind the toilet is fully open.
- Lift the cistern lid and see if the float is caught on something or a linkage has come loose.
- If water runs non-stop, close the angle valve to stop the waste until it is repaired.
Stop and call if
- Water leaks onto the floor from the cistern or its connections.
- The cistern is cracked.
- Your toilet has a concealed cistern behind the wall and the flush plate does not come off easily.
What we do
- 1Check the flush, the refill and the water level to find which part is at fault.
- 2Shut the angle valve and drain the cistern.
- 3Adjust or replace the inlet valve, outlet valve, seal or button, matching parts to your cistern where possible.
- 4For a concealed cistern, work through the opening behind the flush plate without opening the wall.
- 5Refill, test several flushes and check every joint for leaks.
How much it costs
Most toilet flush and cistern repair jobs in Singapore cost $70–$200 (per job, standard parts included). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Adjust or repair the flush mechanism$70–$150
- Replace the flush valve set (inlet and outlet)$140–$250
- Replace the push button or lever only$60–$120
- After-hours surcharge$50–$150
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The cistern, bowl and the angle valve feeding them are the owner's to maintain. Find the angle valve behind the toilet so you can shut it off quickly if the cistern overflows or leaks.
Condo
Let security know a plumber is coming. If your bathroom has a wall-hung toilet, note the brand on the flush plate so the right parts can be brought.
Landed
The owner maintains every toilet and its supply. Older cisterns in less-used bathrooms often leak quietly, so do a dye test on each one once in a while.
Toilet flush and cistern repair: common questions
Why does my toilet keep running?
Usually the outlet seal at the bottom of the cistern is leaking water into the bowl, or the inlet valve is not shutting off when the cistern is full. A dye test shows which.
Why is my toilet flush weak?
Check that the angle valve is fully open and the water in the cistern reaches the fill mark. If both are fine, scale in the rim holes or a partial choke in the trapway may be the cause.
Do I need a licensed plumber to repair a toilet cistern?
No. PUB lists the cistern flushing mechanism as work that does not need a PUB Licensed Plumber. Replacing the toilet bowl itself does.
Does a running toilet waste much water?
A constant trickle runs day and night and can push up your water bill over a month. If the leak is bad, close the angle valve until it is fixed.
Can a concealed cistern be fixed without hacking the wall?
Usually yes. Most concealed cisterns are serviced through the opening behind the flush plate. Hacking is only needed if the cistern tank itself leaks inside the wall.
Get a price for toilet flush and cistern repair
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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