Basically I don't know much about toilets, but mine was broken this year so I read a little about it:
If you're lucky, and have a "newer one" (at least that's what the plumber told me, I'd guess that they're in fact older, but in houses after WWII till the 60s they weren't used). There is a tank somewhere. Maybe there's plastic before the buttons and it's integrated in the wall. Or the tank is above the toilet. Just look around. Also if there is a tank, you'd hear it refilling after you've flushed.
If you can't find a tank… you'll probably have a pressure based flushing. I did get a plumber after recognizing I have that type (you have to put out the water to change the lever and that's not possible only for my apartment). Also, contact your landlord, he might have to pay for the plumber, I'm not totally sure about rent law, but mine did.
Edit: formatting
Here' googled up some pictures for you:
pressure based flushing.
There is tank behind this, look at the other post from (/u/Koh-I-Noor) how to remove the panel to reach the tank.
Didn't find one where the tank is above, sorry.
The best for this is "Dr. Becher Urinstein entferner". It is called "urine stains remover" but is also good for Limescale. And is o.k. to use in Geberit tanks.
In shops 6,50 Euro for 750 ml.
//www.amazon.de/gp/product/B003U1NFIU/
Amazon 4,90 + 4,90 shipping
* You got to lock the water. You can use a tool if it is not easy to tighten with fingers
* let the water out
* even stuff something from the toilet bowl side, to avoid any leaking
* put the fluid into the empty tank and let it inside for 1 hour, then you can flush
If there is also limescale on the toilet bowl, first step is to break it with a small screwdriver.
Hold it against the limescale an hit softly with a hammer on the screwdriver
If you can not reach it with a screwdriver, you can lock the water and demount the toilet bowl. You got to set up a tub under it first.
Senior Member | Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: US Posts: 279 Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts Thanked 218 Times in 119 Posts |
Stop a running European toilet [ * tip ]
Hello all,
I wanted to give a tip to the ladies out there ( and maybe some guys ) about how to stop a European toilet that won't stop running water .
As with most household things like this, the toilet didn't start acting up until my husband left for a work trip.
It was acting up a few days ago, but would stop after I flushed it twice. Tonight, however, the toilet would not stop running water.
I've had experience 'fixing' running toilets in the US, but to my surprise when I opened up the toilet the mechanics were different than a US toilet. ( no bobber, no chain, no flapper )
Our toilet has some kind of main central tube that helps fill the toilet, an over flow tube that is open at the top and takes in any extra water as the toilet fills up, a lever, and a tube that connects from the wall to the central tube.
The toilet cover is made of heavy plastic and looks attached to the toilet, but it can come off. Be careful as you are taking the cover off, because it attaches to the inside of the toilet by two plastic clips and you don't want to snap those off .
After you get the toilet cover off, follow the tube that attaches from the central tube to the wall. There will be a knob of some sort . Mine is a small white knob. Turn this knob towards the wall, and the water will stop running.
I don't know that this really fixes the problem, but it will stop the toilet from running water.
A running toilet can sound annoying, waste water, and cost a lot . Hopefully, this helps someone else until their spouse/partner can have a look, or until you can schedule a plumber to come out.
HTH
TheLaughingCow