Replacing toilet cistern - silicone to wall?

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timmmay

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#255824 2-Sep-2019 09:27

I'm replacing a toilet cistern. The old one is an annoying size, new one has the same screw holes just a newer model.

When I took the old cistern out out it had a bunch of silicone on the back, presumably to help hold it to the wall. I've cleaned the wall and repainted. The two outer screw holes had hollow wall anchors that I left in place and will reuse, the two inner ones the anchors were coming out so I replaced them with two part builders fill which is extremely dense / hard. I'll drill holes into the fill then screw into them.

As well as the four screws, should I put some silicone onto the back of the new cistern to help hold it in place? I have some Selleys 3 in 1 fill / adhesive. Or is it a waste of time that will just make future maintenance more difficult?

BlueShift

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#2309279 2-Sep-2019 10:25

I wouldn't. As you say, it just means that next time you need to move the cistern - for replacement, or repainting the wall, or whatever, it'll be that much more hassle.

JeremyNzl

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#2309291 2-Sep-2019 10:39

We have used an external bead of white silicone to seal the edge of the cistern to the wall, for hygiene in the commercial toilets we have at our site.

They are still fixed to the walls with screws for secure fitment

Bung

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#2309346 2-Sep-2019 11:08

If you have 4 screws holding the cistern to the wall that should be enough. We have a cistern attached to the toilet that is held against the wall but there is a slight gap. I should seal the top edge as it has already swallowed a nail file.

timmmay

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#2309432 2-Sep-2019 13:13

I did without it thanks guys. Only three screws, one of the hollow wall anchors failed. Each hollow wall anchor says it holds 10kg, and I have three holding up 6kg, so should be plenty so long as the wall stays up.