BOHEME high-level ceramic cistern with WC and bidet by Alice Ceramica

October 15, 2026 Italian Bathrooms

Concealed vs exposed cisterns and flush plates: a complete guide

Every toilet needs a cistern, and where it goes shapes the whole bathroom. You can hide it inside the wall, sit it on top of the bowl, or mount it on the wall as a design feature. Here are the options, their pros and cons, and how to look after a concealed cistern.

1. Concealed (in-wall) cistern

A plastic cistern built into a steel frame and hidden in the wall or a false wall. You only see the flush plate (in Italian placca). It is the standard for wall-hung WCs, and also works with back-to-wall floor-standing models.

Pros: clean look, quieter flush, more space, easy to clean.
Cons: needs building work. All maintenance is done through the opening behind the flush plate.
Brands: Geberit is one of the most widely used in Italy; others include Grohe, TECE, Pucci and Valsir. The flush plate must match the cistern brand and series.

2. Close-coupled (monoblock)

A ceramic cistern sits directly on the back of a floor-standing WC. It is the classic, all-in-one toilet, and the easiest to install with no masonry work. In Italian this is a monoblocco.

Pros: simple installation, easy access to the mechanism (just lift the lid).
Cons: bulkier, and harder to clean behind.
From Alice: BOHEME monoblock with its close-coupled cistern, and the HIDE cistern for the HIDE back-to-wall WC, with its Geberit flushing mechanism.

3. Wall-mounted external cistern: high-level and low-level

A ceramic cistern mounted on the wall above the WC, connected by a flush pipe. The high-level version with a pull chain is the classic Victorian look, perfect for a period or boutique-hotel bathroom.

From Alice: the BOHEME high-level cistern and low-level cistern, with matching high-level and low-level flushing systems.

Single, dual and stop flush

Modern cisterns offer a dual flush: a large button for a full flush (typically around 6 litres) and a small one for a partial flush (around 3 litres). Most concealed cisterns let your installer adjust both volumes. A rimless bowl works well with lower volumes.

Concealed cistern problems and fixes

Everything inside a concealed cistern is reachable by removing the flush plate. Always turn off the water at the shut-off valve inside the opening first.

How to remove the flush plate: depending on the model, plates either unclip by sliding them sideways or upwards and pulling the bottom edge forward, or are held by screws behind a cover. Check the manual for your plate (Geberit's are online; the Geberit app can also identify your model).
Water keeps running into the bowl: usually limescale or dirt on the flush valve seal, or on the float (fill) valve. Remove, rinse and descale it in vinegar or citric acid, or replace the seal.
Cistern refills slowly: the filter on the fill valve is clogged with limescale. Clean it.
Weak or no flush: the actuator rods between the plate and the valve may need adjusting.

If you are not comfortable working inside the wall, call a plumber. These are quick jobs for a professional.

Guides and videos

What you need to order

Alice Ceramica wall-hung WCs are supplied without cistern, frame, seat or fixings. For a wall-hung installation you need: the WC, the matching seat, the wall-hung fixing kit, plus a concealed cistern frame and flush plate from your plumber's preferred brand. Questions? Send us your project and we will check compatibility.