Types of gaskets between the flush cistern and the toilet

At installation of a toilet bowl it is difficult to do without such, at first sight insignificant, but at the same time necessary element, as laying. This item is a link between the cistern and the toilet, imparts tightness to the connection.

When buying gaskets it is important to make the right choice of product. To do this, you need to know what types of gaskets between the cistern and the toilet exist.

The toilet and the cistern should become a single system after the installation of the hygienic device in the sanitary area. This is the only way to avoid leaks and other unpleasant moments associated with plumbing. Everything should function smoothly and clearly. This can be achieved through the use of special pads.Such a product serves for a long time (over several years), and after wear it is easily replaced.

The value of the gasket is difficult to overestimate, when installed between the toilet bowl and the drain tank, it provides:

• the creation of a coherent system "toilet-tank";
• tightness of connection of these elements;
• the organization of a soft, elastic insert between two adjoining ceramic parts;
• elimination of leakage problems between the cistern and the toilet.

Over time, this seal loses its elasticity., cracks, dries out and begins to pass water - these characteristics are signs of the need to replace it. You should not be upset - you can replace the gasket with your own hands, without resorting to the help of an experienced plumber.

The price of this product is also low, so you only need to decide on the appropriate type of gasket and study the sequence of installation work.

If there is a suspicion that the gasket has become unusable, then it is necessary to remove the tank and make sure that the damage is really there. There may be situations where the seal simply moved from its place, as a result of which there was a leak. In this case, you just need to fix the gasket and check its tightness.

If replacement is necessary, then you need to remove the spoiled gasket and take it with you to the store. Thus, you can easily choose the shape, size and diameter of the gasket

These seals, depending on the material of manufacture, there are several types.

• Rubber. The most popular and inexpensive parts.
• Silicone. Differ in good elasticity, are more expensive sanitary goods.
• Polyurethane. The most expensive products in their segment. High cost due to durability, shape invariance and elasticity.

Seals also differ between themselves and form.

On sale you can find consumables, which are called:

• conical;
• round;

• trapezoidal;
• oval and others

The manufacturing country can also make significant differences between products.

So, domestic gaskets have a significant disadvantage - their quality leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless, according to customer reviews, you can find pretty good products.

Due to strict control, imported seals have better quality and longer service life. However, it is worth remembering that the cost of these elements is much higher than domestic ones.

In the process of choosing a gasket for the toilet, experts advise to test the product to determine the degree of its elasticity. It often happens that the seals are stored in warehouses for a long time, the rules for their storage are violated, which leads to the fact that the products dry up and lose their original properties.

Since gaskets are most often made from rubber, there are many doubts about their durability. It is no secret that with constant contact with moisture, rubber products gradually lose their elasticity, harden, begin to crack.And even in small cracks water can flow, which is the first cause of damage to the gasket.

To understand that the seal has become unusable is possible and on several grounds.

• The appearance of fluid on the floor of the toilet. If the fluid has no relation to the formation of condensate on the toilet tank in the winter season, as well as to the leakage of the valve, then this is a leakage associated with the use of the gasket.
• A visual inspection of the seal showed obvious damage. To perform this operation, it is necessary to completely remove the tank from the toilet. If the inspection did not reveal any visible damage, it is necessary to feel the gasket. With excessive rigidity of the part, it is better to replace the seal.

It is easy to replace the gasket; even an inexperienced person who is far from installing sanitary products can handle this process. One has only to remember some subtleties of the procedure, which, depending on the location of the toilet tank, may differ.

The seal between the tank and the bowl can be located on the toilet bowl. This mount is the most common due to itscompactness. But in this case there are certain disadvantages expressed in the low pressure of the flushing fluid.

In order to change the gasket, first of all, it is necessary to shut off the water supply and disconnect the hose. The flushing tank should be emptied with a valve and disconnected from the base by loosening the through-screws. In this case, it must be borne in mind that porcelain is a fragile material and can crack.

In some sets, depending on the model of the toilet, there may be another additional gasket, the functions of which consist not in sealing, but in damping and softening the contact of two porcelain elements. You should know that there are models that constitute a one-piece tank and bowl design that do not require replacement of gaskets.

This design has the advantage that is manifested in the intensity of the pressure of the discharge fluid.In this case, the drain pipe is fixed to the toilet and sealed in various ways, which depend on the shape of the neck of the bowl. In most cases, it has an extension that is used for a secure connection with a cuff. Behind this expansion, you must install a sealant pre-treated with silicone.

Another option for seals - transition petal cuffs. They are rubber products, the outer side of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the neck of the bowl, and the inner part corresponds to the diameter of the cross section of the flush pipe. During fixing, all elements are lubricated with sealant. This cuff is installed inside the neck of the bowl, while it does not require additional sealing gasket.

It would seem that it may be easier to process the screed parts, when all the manipulations with gaskets behind. However, the procedure for fastening toilet parts has certain features.

Wrap nuts on the threads of the bolt studs should be carried out evenlyalternately acting with bolted joints. The pressure should be moderate, the intensity of the tightening correctly calculated. You should not over-tighten the connections, it is enough to stop at the stage when the gasket is visually and to the touch pulled up to the desired level.

Hauling is not particularly recommended in places where polypropylene screws are used. Experts recommend replacing plastic fasteners with metal ones: this is how you can achieve the reliability guaranteed by the manufacturer.

On modern plumbing kits decided to install polymer studs. In terms of fastening, they, of course, are inferior to metal, but have their own advantages. The main advantage is the resistance of the material to corrosion, because metal bolts rust over time guaranteed, and the tank because of this flows.

The preventive measures also include regular inspection of the toilet and all elements of its attachment. If time to notice faults and wear parts, you can avoid a number of unpleasant moments, such as leakage.

For information on how to fix a leak in the toilet, see the next video.