Ooh. Now I think we are on to something! All this time, I have been asking 'Why now ?' There are several 'deadlegs', as you call them, in the cupboard where the cistern was. I am using this space as an airing cupboard now. Some time ago a duvet caught on one of the deadlegs and pulled it. I remember thinking, 'I hope that hasn't damaged something' and pushed the deadleg back into position. Do you think I might have torn something slightly off whatever it was joined to in the ceiling and caused air to get into the system? Or am I completely off the mark here?