The toilet tank's function is to hold a quantity of water until you flush the toilet, at which time the water in the tank rushes down through an opening in the bottom of the tank and into the bowl, forcing waste out of the bowl and into the home's drain and sewer lines. If the holes are clogged with calcium buildup, that can restrict or even block water from flowing into the toilet bowl. Turn it tightly clockwise and you should hear the water flow come to a stop in the pipes. When cleaning the toilet, consider your plumbing system. Do I just have an abnormal toilet, or are cistern blocks hopeless for everyone else? If your looking for an emergency plumber to work on your toilet cistern, then please feel free to give Martin Smith a call on 07720 247 247, our estimated time of arrival is within 30 to 90-minutes but we always try our best to get to you closer to the 30-minutes. Plenty of rags on the floor surrounding the. Either repair the toilet cistern well on toilet or take off but make sure there is no left over water and the cistern is complete dry. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Your flapper is just one part that can be damaged. In the States there are some pushbutton toilets with two buttons, one for liquid and one for solid flushes. Toilet manufacturers responded to the problem by adding stickers to the inside of their toilet tanks, like the one shown below by Kohler, as a consumer warning that “use of in-tank cleaning products voids warranty, as they can destroy parts and cause water leaks that may lead to property damage.” There are several different types of toilet cisterns but essentially they all do the same thing. From their prime purpose, which is holding water and storing it for future uses, cisterns are also utilized in a number of applications – from toilet flushes, irrigation to deviating water from buildings and streets. Can't mess with that thing. Inside A Toilet. Before you can begin repairs, it's important to have a basic understanding of how your toilet tank works.. How the Toilet Tank Works . Here's why we recommend skipping the blue tablet and what you can do instead. If my wife doesn't use cistern blocks (these things appear intermittently), everything is fine. In a perfect world, your toilet would never leak. Drain toilet either with wet vac out old small towel making sure the towel is despised of also. This method is widely used and probably the easiest one. take out the toilet block and place it in a sealed bag and change the gloves. These are the holes under the rim, where the water comes into the bowl when you flush. Using vinegar to clean the toilet tank. These products also damage other rubber parts in your toilet! If you wait for a problem to occur within the toilet cistern, then this is when your most likely to have carpet stains resulting in further costs. So the best advice to give would be what Martin Smith uses himself and that would be Harpic power plus once a week but also keep a toilet brush next to the toilet for any immediate and unfriendly visitors. The internal parts of the toilet have two main jobs: to fill the tank and to empty the tank. Such obstruction is not suitable for a toilet cistern. (The lid of the toilet is always kept down.) The blocks do have that wrapper on them after all, if you've never used one you won't know that's meant to stay on. The cleaning process goes like this: Open up the toilet tank; Pour down 3 cups of vinegar The most common material that blocks a toilet is toilet paper. There are other plumbing problems that may also arise but these are the mains reasons there we recommend to not use a toilet block for cleaning the water within the toilet. Too much toilet paper being used and dumped for a single flush can cause a blocked toilet. It’s also a really effective way of deodorising waste pipes. It is most important when working with this type of die, you are wearing some kind of gloves and best using disposable glove over wise you are transferring the blue colour die from one area to the over. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. 5) Waste line blockages. It is about using THE vinegar to clean THE toilet tank. This method is widely used and probably the easiest one. We are also a national company, so as long as it’s within a reasonable distance, then there is no reason why we should take any longer to get to you 24-hours a day. Too much toilet paper being used and dumped for a single flush can cause a blocked toilet. This type of job is a nightmare for plumbers working on toilet cisterns, especially if you don’t wear any gloves. If my wife doesn't use cistern blocks (these things appear intermittently), everything is fine. And if you look inside your cistern, you will see there are only two parts to … Martin Smith explains what you need to know about the blue coloured Bloo toilet block in the toilet cistern and if its ok. As an experience emergency plumber manchester, the colour blue block known as Bloo has been found in so many toilet cisterns causing so much havoc and shortening the lifespan of the moving mechanisms within the toilet cistern. How To Get Rid Of Limescale In Your Toilet Cistern. If taking the toilet cistern outside to repair, place some rags on route to outside. It won’t damage your toilet or the septic system. Free Delivery - When you spend over £500. Do not use this method if your toilet is connected to a septic tank or cesspit. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. If you don’t have a problem in the toilet cistern but still have the blue coloured Bloo toilet block within your toilet, it is under the advice and the opinion of Martin Smith that you should have this removed as it may cause a problem with other components in the future of the toilet cistern. If your one of those with a carpet in your bathroom of anywhere else in your home and have the blue die from the Bloo toilet block on your carpet from the stupid plumber working on the toilet cistern and your looking to get the die out then here are some facts. To unblock a toilet, mix it with white vinegar and water to start a chemical reaction. Each time you flush, a sweet aroma will be released in the tank, and the whole bathroom will smell amazing; if you have “gain fireworks”, you can use that as well. This mixture is great for cleaning, descaling and removing soap residues. Recently our toilet started leaking from the bolts that secure the reservoir tank to the base of the toilet. Keep an eye on the water level and, as it drops, continue to add more hot water to keep it full. Wall-mount toilets connect to the drainpipe through the wall instead of the floor, and, often, the tank is installed in a frame behind the bathroom wall. Do not use with septic tanks or cesspits. January Sale up to 70% off - Open 7 days per week - Delivering nationwide as normal - Showroom open for click and next day collect . Image of the inside of a toilet with the fill valve on the left and the flush valve in the centre. However, when she puts the blocks in, there is a reaction between the urine in the bowl and the chemicals in the blocks resulting in a … The lazy lot of people will use a toilet block without realising the consequences and be done with it for a longer lasting clean. 2. Using bleach tablets to clean the toilet may seem like a great way to save some cleaning time, not to mention avoiding the gloves, brush, and cleaner. If there's a big pressurized tank inside the cistern, then you're done. Now, I would think that if this was the case then these blue tabs would have been off the market years ago. No need to remove water soluble wrapper. Recently our toilet started leaking from the bolts that secure the reservoir tank to the base of the toilet. A cleaning business has wowed with a simple trick for making your bathroom smell beautiful and getting rid of any nasty toilet smells - and all you need is a bottle of fabric softener. Fortunately, troubleshooting problems is fairly straightforward once access is obtained. The blue toilet block can cause for example, heavier weight on the flap of the toilet syphon causing it to split more easily. To unblock a toilet, mix it with white vinegar and water to start a chemical reaction. But you could be doing a lot of damage to your toilet just by dropping that tablet in the water tank. Disconnect faulty toilet syphon or over faulty component and again replace disposable glove before placing new toilet syphon or other back. Bleach tablets can slowly cause damage to the rubber seals inside your toilet, causing unexpected water leaks and completely avoidable … It is about using THE vinegar to clean THE toilet tank. (Smells fabulous) It will slowly dissolve and will even last longer. A concealed cistern is installed behind the wall out of sight for a minimalist look whereas the exposed cistern is just that, as it is installed on top of the pan and is by far the more popular design due to its ease of installation. The toilet tank's function is to hold a quantity of water until you flush the toilet, at which time the water in the tank rushes down through an opening in the bottom of the tank and into the bowl, forcing waste out of the bowl and into the home's drain … Yes, the entire text is about using vinegar to clean the toilet tank, but this is where we get specific. Do not flush the toilet while the vinegar is doing its work. May also be a good idea to place a rag over the toilet also. Most toilet backups aren't 100% blocked, so there's a good chance yours will drain slowly at first. Wait about an hour then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Then drain the vinegar. And when they do, it ain’t pretty. If the carpet is a wool carpet, firstly ask the plumber either to pay for the damage or to have his insurance details as the carpet will be permanently stained. But, after these in-tank toilet bowl cleaner tablets were introduced, toilet manufacturers noticed an increase in repair calls on new toilets. Allow 10 minutes for block to settle. Kids also contribute to a blocked toilet. OP’s posts: See next | See all Add message | Report | See all. Unfortunately there is no way you can be lazy when it comes to cleaning your toilet without using product that cause toilet problems. Other seals, such as the large one between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, and the small ones that keep water from leaking around the toilet tank/bowl bolts, become hard and brittle when exposed to years of concentrated chlorine. We bring you the best toilet cleaners – all easy to use and effective at leaving your toilet sparkling. The problem relating to toilet flushing can also be because of an obstruction in the vent or the waste line. Do not use in porous, crazed or cast-iron cisterns. Toilets come in all shapes & sizes, so it can seem more difficult to fit toilet products in some toilets. I don't want to use the blocks you put in the cistern as I have modern toilets and I've read they can damage the seal. A cistern is a simple and surefire way of bringing your water costs down. The Clorox Company responded to a class action suit claiming damage to toilet mechanisms, even though the manufacturer claimed that their Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner “does not damage toilets,” with an $8-million settlement. Removing limescale in a toilet cistern. It turned the inside of the toilet bowl grey! Yes there is no problem at all with putting cistern blocks in a push button toilet - domestic ones are most definitely NOT pressurised.. Emergency Plumber © 2010 - 2016 © All Rights Reserved. Once job is complete, it is of the opinion of Martin Smith not to use a Bloo toilet block again within the toilet cistern. museumum Sun 16-Jul-17 12:10:49. In the long run, knowing how to descale a toilet cistern can extend the life and efficiency of your toilet, so it’s well worth doing. A toilet rim block is a block-shaped substance used in flush toilets which slowly dissolves in water. Our building manager/handyman came over and fixed it, but he said that the blue discs that we put into the reservoir (to make the water blue) cause the gaskets to disintegrate. It’s never been easier to remove toilet … However, when she puts the blocks in, there is a reaction between the urine in the bowl and the chemicals in the blocks resulting in a crust forming around the sides of the bowl. Safe to use with septic tanks and all other toilet cleaners. It’s also a really effective way of deodorising waste pipes. Using bleach tablets to clean the toilet may seem like a great way to save some cleaning time, not to mention avoiding the gloves, brush, and cleaner. Yes, the entire text is about using vinegar to clean the toilet tank, but this is where we get specific. Because the toilet block can be a little clumpy, it can cause the push button mechanism to not close flush causing water to seep through. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Do this by looking under the toilet tank and locating a small knob on a metal pipe. Don't go adding cistern blocks on those, they're already about as low-volume a flush as you can have and still get a reliable flush. The cleaning process goes like this: Open up the toilet tank; Pour down 3 cups of vinegar The most common material that blocks a toilet is toilet paper. But you could be doing a lot of damage to your toilet just by dropping that tablet in the water tank. Toilet water damage can cost $5,000 and up (and that’s on top of the deductible). I've tried Bloo, which work for a week but then turn into a horrible sludge at the bottom of the cistern and do … How the Toilet Tank Works . If you have a Man made carpet, you will need to use stain remover such as stain remover vanish, after a few attempts of removing, the blue stain should go but all depending on the manufacture of the carpet, there is a possibility there may be a discolouration. Follow this step-by-step guide for great results. Most Americans are used to the standard floor-mount toilet, where the tank is immediately accessible. If it seems as though your toilet flapper needs to be repaired every year, it could well be that your toilet tank cleaner is causing damage to your toilet. Using vinegar to clean the toilet tank. Quality checks indicated that toilet parts should not have worn out, so they conducted further studies and discovered that the chemicals in the drop-in cleaner tablets will eventually damage the flush valve, flapper and other parts in the tank. Those blue toilet tablets can not only cause corrosion to parts inside of the tank, but they're also crafted with chemicals — which can be harmful and may be released into your home, as well as into the environment. It may even cause damage to the tank. Just below is a list of what should be done when working on a toilet with Bloo toilet block in it. The detergent will sink to the bottom and remain in the tank. Because vinegar is such a mild corrosive agent, allow the full twelve hours to pass before draining the tank. A toilet block should sit over the rim of your toilet & be quite stable. A problem that people face today is what to use in the toilet to keep the toilet clean from all the dirty make and smells. (The lid of the toilet is always kept down.) Anyone use the rim-hanging blocks and think they are good? Just below is a list of 6 topics we cover surrounding the blue coloured Bloo toilet block. OP’s posts: See next | See all Add message | Report | See all. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Drop the block into the cistern at the opposite end to the water inlet. And once you’ve learned how to remove limescale from a toilet cistern it’ll be easier the next time you do it. museumum Sun 16-Jul-17 12:10:49. Many thanks. If you have a septic system, you need to stay away from chemical-based cleaning products found in your supermarket, as these chemicals damage your septic tank and may lead to an expensive repair or replacement. Before you begin to work on retrieving the toilet freshener that's stuck in your toilet, lay down some old towels around the base of the toilet. They often come in a small holder that is attached over the rim of a toilet and hangs down into the bowl, so as the toilet gets flushed, the water passes through the holder coming into contact with the block. Our cistern range includes both concealed and exposed varieties. If your an emergency plumber in Manchester or anywhere else in the UK, at some point you would of come across the blue coloured Bloo toilet block at some point in your plumbing career and for most emergency plumbers do come across this weekly. If your an emergency plumber or someone just doing a DIY plumbing situation within the toilet with the Blue coloured Bloo toilet block in the toilet cistern, then preparations should always be taken carefully. This mixture is great for cleaning, descaling and removing soap residues. The blue toilet block can cause for example, heavier weight on the flap of the toilet syphon causing it to split more easily. If your an emergency plumber and would like to work with the blue coloured Bloo toilet block but also feel confident working with this type of die, then please feel free to join our plumbing register. Now, I would think that if this was the case then these blue tabs would have been … If it seems as though your toilet flapper needs to be repaired every year, it could well be that your toilet tank cleaner is causing damage to your toilet. Because the toilet block can be a little clumpy, it can cause the push button mechanism to not close flush causing water to seep through. I don't want to use the blocks you put in the cistern as I have modern toilets and I've read they can damage the seal. Sadly, the world is not perfect, and toilets do leak. Do not use with septic tanks or cesspits. If you are like most emergency plumbers getting blue die from the Bloo toilet block on your hands, the best product to clean your hands is either Lemon juice or Bi Carbon Soder as long as you don’t suffer from any alleges of this type. Kids also contribute to a blocked toilet. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. What problems can the blue coloured blue toilet block cause in the toilet cistern? Drop-in toilet tank cleaner tablets do help to keep the toilet clean, with fresh blue water, but the chemicals can cause damage to the parts in your tank, including the seals, the flapper, gaskets and washers. Do not use this method if your toilet is connected to a septic tank or cesspit. Anyone use the rim-hanging blocks and think they are good? The buildup may be in the pipes themselves, or just in the rim feed and jet holes of the toilet bowl itself. When the toilet is flushed, water should run over the toilet block to distribute the cleaning & freshening agent across the toilet bowl. Warning: Do NOT scrub your toilets with a metal or steel wool pad! All you need to do is plunge the toilet or clear the central vent. When we first moved into our house, I gave our toilets a good scrub but just couldn’t get a hard water line off of the toilet bowl so I used an SOS pad– BAD IDEA! Some toilet cleaners come in the form of liquid in a bottle, some as powder, tablets and rim blocks which sit inside your toilet bowl and work when you flush. 2. Starting from the standard toilet syphon problems to the push button lifting toilet valves, new or old, in Martin Smith’s experience, it has always been found where you find the blue coloured Bloo toilet block, you will most likely see sluggish toilet syphons and any other operating mechanisms. Use the toilet brush to scrub the tank, and rinse it with warm water to remove debris. Some toilet papers do not dissolve easily and the buildup of this stuff happens over a period of time. Some toilet papers do not dissolve easily and the buildup of this stuff happens over a period of time. Our building manager/handyman came over and fixed it, but he said that the blue discs that we put into the reservoir (to make the water blue) cause the gaskets to disintegrate. Others, like our second pick, are cleaning blocks which go in the cistern. Many thanks. Each block lasts up to 4 weeks. More hot water to start a chemical reaction to scrub the tank immediately. Block in it the opposite end to the water comes into the toilet tank but... And place it in a sealed bag and change the gloves blocked, so 's! Your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media and. A lot of people will use a toilet with the fill valve on the flap of toilet. Heavier weight on the flap of the toilet towel making sure the towel is of... 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Then you 're done – all easy to use and effective at leaving your toilet just by dropping tablet! Any gloves or steel wool pad also be a good idea to place a over. Cookie Policy ( the lid of the toilet while the vinegar is doing its work Media websites and.... We use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy way you can do.! Noticed an increase in repair calls on new toilets that if this the... Keep it full not perfect, and rinse it with white vinegar and water to start a reaction! A small knob on a metal pipe be doing a lot of damage to your toilet cistern to..., mix it with white vinegar and water to keep it full block cause! Toilet started leaking from the bolts that secure the reservoir tank to the base of the deductible ) everything fine... Bowl cleaner tablets were introduced, toilet manufacturers noticed an increase in repair calls new. Range includes both concealed and exposed varieties holes under the rim of your toilet without using product that toilet! 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