Toilet Turbulence

[Griffin NoName]

Life seems permanently stacked against me.

I inherited my toilet and it's only distinguishing feature is to have British marked on it. Other than that it yields up no secrets.

It turns out that it has an old-fashioned stubby "cistern lever". It has broken.

I cannot find any trace of such an item, even in Google Images, never mind plumbing sites/shops.

I don't like the nasty even older levers one can get - although even they are in sort supply.

Local tradesmen treat me as if I am a local looney.

Anyone got a clue, other than council tips, where I might find one of these:

[The Meromorph]

Does it really come out of the side like that seems to show?

Aren't you renting a flat? isn't the landlord responsible for fixing that?

[Griffin NoName]

Yes.

No, and therefore no.

It's a fairly simple bit of kit.

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Rod straight through, plastic washers (not shown) either side of hole in cistern  {marked ( } - hooks onto thing that hooks onto another hook = push down lever, pulls up hooks, hence attached float etc etc

Every household had one, until push buttons came in (which inicidentally I find difficult as I am too feeble to push that hard) - I think the rage started in Italy.

[Sibling Chatty]

LONG list, but lookie here:

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/toilettanklevers.html

I Googled British plumbing supply, and kept looking...

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/1665-0000

Look at this one: Architeckt Assisted Care Chrome Cistern Lever   Architeckt Assisted Care Chrome Cistern Lever (PWVV0010)
If it can fin on the toilet, it's similar to the ones that the nursing home has...easy to push.

[Griffin NoName]

Um they are US, but nice try !!

Interesting difference in language - tank levers.

Can't see any straight through ones in the list either.

==================================

Oh joy! Oh Rapture!

I think I've found it.

Armitage T Pattern Cistern Lever
http://www.lunns.net/cisternspares/  about two thirds down the page Mero if you want to see what one's like

I can only find one other reference to it on the internet - and that is someone on a forum desperately searching for one. LOL.

[goat starer]

are you in london?

[Sibling Lambicus the Toluous]

Are there any shops near you that sell salvaged building supplies?

Around here, organizations like Habitat for Humanity take donations of things like used (but still servicable) plumbing fixtures and re-sell them to raise money.  Something like that may be a source for parts for older toilets.

[The Meromorph]

Amazing, I'd never seen an arrangement like that!      Except in the 'high tank' toilets  that used to be so common in most of England, I strongly suspect that some manufacturers simply moved the same tanks they had been using down and minimally modified the hardware (losing the dangling chain and handle). All the levers I ever saw in England (and Scotland) were essentially the same as all the levers in America (coming out of the front of the tank and rotating). Except for the air-pressure driven flush mechanisms which are also common in certain parts of America, that have that push-button thingy.

Well. I've learned something new... 

[anthrobabe]

we are slowly moving towards something besides the front mounted handle (that has to be jiggled often) on the tanks---- many- many public places are now equipped with the 'whoosh-ies' - aka auto flush toilets. Some are so sensitive that they will flush several times during one use-- they scare old ladies and small children. Either that or they don't flush at all- causing some places to post "If it doesn't flush push the little black button" sign in the loo.

I still do not see to many push button tanks--- they would completely flabbergast many around here I'm sure. "Ya mean I gotta push this lil button thingie?"

You should see people try and figure out the auto feed paper towel dispensers at Wal-Mart!   

[The Meromorph]

Yeah, I want those 'Whooshies' (delightful name) for my house, but I'm informed they need a one-inch service line to work properly, and most people don't even have a one-inch service into their house...
Given the one-inch line, they use less water and are more effective.
Instead we are limited to 'low flush volume' contraptions, that actually require two or more flushes to do the job, and therefore use more water than the old basic flushes.

[anthrobabe]

when the technology works--  low flow works very well when the water is pumped under pressure, or like you said too much water wasted as they are not effective.

i've been grateful for indoor facilites in my life-- my grandmother had an outhouse until I was 10- very traumatic, very traumatic.

[Sibling Lambicus the Toluous]

I still do not see to many push button tanks--- they would completely flabbergast many around here I'm sure. "Ya mean I gotta push this lil button thingie?"

My wife's church has one - and it's a properly-done low flow toilet: it has two buttons, one very low flow, and one when you need to (ahem) "kick it up a notch".

You should see people try and figure out the auto feed paper towel dispensers at Wal-Mart!   

There was a funny scene in this week's Little Mosque on the Prairie where Baber (who's kind of a techno-phobe) was trying to figure out the new automatic paper towel dispenser:  After looking all over it for the handle, he throws his hands up in frustration (which triggers the dispenser) and lets out a prayer.  Out comes the paper towel, he gives a quick thanks to God, dries his hands and leaves.   

[Aggie]

My wife's church has one - and it's a properly-done low flow toilet: it has two buttons, one very low flow, and one when you need to (ahem) "kick it up a notch".

Yah, we have that in the apartment.  The system works, but it's an Aussie toilet and doesn't swirl, plus it has a rather narrow bowl, leaving any "toilet turbulence" readily apparent.  I keep a spray bottle of bleach solution around to deal with stains.


In my limited experience, most Australian toilets seem to direct the water straight downwards, giving a powerful flush focused nearly entirely on the centre/bottom of the bowl. 

[Griffin NoName]

In my limited experience, most Australian toilets seem to direct the water straight downwards, giving a powerful flush focused nearly entirely on the centre/bottom of the bowl. 

That's probably because water spirals the wrong way round down in Australia

I had a good long chat with the plumbing outfit I found on the Internet. Life does take funny twists and turns. Discussing the history of flushing levers was not something I had on my agenda. Anyways the one in the picture I referred to above, the T pattern Armitage, is The One. It's unique. It's the only one Ever Made with a Plastic Arm - and the fitting is unique as well. Of course, being plastic is exactly why it broke. Unfortunately, being unique, no other will fit. My new one should arrive next week, which will be a relief

Glad to have started a good discussion

Time they introduced World-wide Universal Bog Standard Toilet Systems IMO.

[Aggie]

Don't get me started of the wonders of East Asian toilets....