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How we fixed an overflowing toilet cistern in a Glen Iris home

July 31, 2026
Old inlet and outlet valves removed from a toilet cistern, laid on the bathroom floor beside the pan

A constantly running toilet or an overflowing cistern might seem like a minor issue at first, but over time, it can waste significant amounts of water, increase water bills, and cause ongoing frustration for homeowners.

At Doherty Plumbing Solutions, our plumbers in Glen Iris regularly help homeowners resolve toilet plumbing issues before they become more serious, costly problems.

One homeowner in Glen Iris contacted our team after noticing their toilet cistern was intermittently overflowing into the pan and failing to operate properly.

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Need help with a leaking or overflowing toilet? Call Doherty Plumbing Solutions on (03) 9877 5775 for reliable toilet repairs and plumbing support. 

Toilet cistern repair completed by Doherty Plumbing Solutions in Glen Iris

The problem: an intermittently overflowing toilet

The homeowner had been experiencing ongoing issues with their toilet cistern for some time. The toilet would occasionally continue running after flushing, with water constantly flowing into the toilet pan.

While the issue initially seemed minor, continuous water flow can lead to:

  • Increased water bills
  • Unnecessary water wastage
  • Ongoing strain on toilet components
  • Greater risk of future plumbing faults

Like many homeowners, they wanted the issue properly diagnosed and repaired before it worsened.

Investigating the faulty cistern components

After inspecting the toilet cistern, our plumbers identified faults with the water inlet valve, which was no longer regulating water flow correctly.

We also discovered that the rubber components inside the outlet valve had deteriorated over time due to normal wear and ageing.

These worn internal components prevented the cistern from sealing and functioning properly, causing water to continue leaking into the pan after flushing.

To restore the toilet’s performance, our team carried out several targeted repairs.

Faulty toilet inlet valve replaced during toilet repair in Glen Iris

The solution: replacing worn toilet cistern components

To resolve the issue, our plumbers:

  • Replaced the faulty water inlet valve with a new Geberit inlet valve
  • Replaced deteriorated outlet valve rubbers
  • Tested the cistern operation and water flow
  • Checked for ongoing leaks and overflow issues

Once the repairs were completed, the toilet returned to normal working order with no further overflow or continuous running issues.

By replacing the worn internal components early, the homeowner avoided more significant plumbing problems and ongoing water wastage.

Why small toilet leaks should not be ignored

A leaking or constantly running toilet is one of the most common household plumbing issues, but it’s also one that many people leave unresolved for too long.

Even small toilet leaks can waste a surprising amount of water over time and may indicate failing internal components that will continue deteriorating if not repaired.

Common warning signs homeowners should watch for include:

  • Water constantly running into the toilet pan
  • Unexpected increases in water bills
  • Weak or inconsistent flushing
  • Noisy cistern refilling
  • Water pooling around the toilet
  • Intermittent overflow issues

Addressing these problems early can help prevent larger plumbing repairs and unnecessary water costs later on.

Key outcomes from the repair

Following the repairs, the homeowner benefited from:

  • A fully functioning toilet cistern
  • Elimination of continuous water overflow
  • Reduced water wastage
  • Improved flushing performance
  • Greater peace of mind knowing the issue was properly resolved

Reliable toilet repairs in Glen Iris and surrounding suburbs

At Doherty Plumbing Solutions, we help homeowners across Melbourne with toilet repairs, leaking taps, blocked drains, burst pipes, and general plumbing maintenance.

All work is overseen by Brian Doherty (Lic: 32786), Director of Doherty Plumbing Solutions, who has more than 40 years of plumbing experience across residential and commercial properties throughout Melbourne.

Need help with a leaking or overflowing toilet?

If your toilet keeps running, overflowing, or leaking into the pan, our experienced plumbers can help identify the problem and provide reliable long-term repairs.

Call Doherty Plumbing Solutions today on (03) 9877 5775 or fill out the online form to book a plumbing inspection or repair.

Brett Ward
WRITTEN BY

Brett Ward is a director and co-owner of Doherty Plumbing Solutions, a licensed plumber with more than 20 years in the trade across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. He specialises in maintenance plumbing, renovations and blocked drains, and is a member of Master Plumbers and Backflow Australia. On the blog he shares practical advice from the jobs he sees most often on the tools.

More about Brett Ward →
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