How to: ballcock repair for roof tank or toilet cistern.Overflowing toilet cistern or roof tank? A simple ballcock repair job will fix both of these. Today I'll show you, how to repair your ballcock in 10 minutes, without the need of a plumber. First, you need to turn off your water supply.
For your toilet this is usually to the side or below your cistern/watertank. For your roof tank, this will be on the top pipe leading to your ballcock. Check water is off Take the lid off your header tank or cistern.Push down on the arm of the ballcock to make sure water has been correctly turned off. If water is still flowing, you may need to
turn your water off at the main shut off valve. Click on back button to return.
Unscrew the float (anticlockwise) Shake it and listen for water sloshing around.If you hear water sloshing in the float, replace it. If the float is good..... Undo crox nut (The nut where the ballcock and pipe met) Undo backnut. (This holds the valve in position in tank) Remove ballcock from tank. Time for the ballcock repair 
1. Take out split-pin (This holds the arm in place) You may need to squash the pin ends together to allow it to be removed. Twist and pull at the same time.
The arm will now drop out. 2. Undo the cap at the end of ballcock barrell. 3. Hold threaded part up and tap till washer container drops out.
Your ballcock washer may or may not have a holding cap. If you see a threaded cap, undo anticlockwise. If no cap, dig out washer with small screwdriver. Replace washer
Putting back together Do up washer cap and slide washer barrel back into ballcock.(Make sure hole in barrel is at the bottom and washer side goes in first) For the ultimate ballcock repair. File smooth, the flat part of ballcock arm. This is one of the main reasons ballcocks fail. The arm should be smooth and free of lime deposits. Wipe off any brass filings. Insert arm into ballcock barrell. (You may need to wiggle and jiggle the arm to find the barrell hole. Now line up the holes for split pin. Replace split pin. When in place..... Flair end of split pin slightly, to stop from creeping out of position. Do up barrell cap. Well done, we're almost there. Time to reconnect to pipe Position ballcock back into tank and loosely do up backnut. IMPORTANT: Clean out, any old jointing compound from around pipe. Make up new hemp grommet with graphite. Line up pipe with valve and tighten nut (clockwise) Ensure nut goes on square.
Turn water back on and check water level in tank. NB You may need to bend the brass arm to get the level you want.Bending the arm down will lower the water level and bending the arm up will increase the water level. Time for a hot chocolate.
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