Your house has three important sections: the bedroom, kitchen, and toilet. These parts of house are essential because you suffer a lot if you find any problems with these three.
However, I can relate it to myself because I faced a problem with my toilet flush valve last year. Finally, I had to replace the flush valve.
How to Replace Toilet Flush Valve
Are you wondering about toilet flush valve replacement? Don’t worry; I have researched replacing toilet flush valves for you. Stay tuned to this article to get your desired solution and more related information.
Signs of Faulty Flush Valve
Everything left a sign behind when it started malfunctioning. Your toilet flush valve will also hint at when it will become damaged. That time you will understand that your toilet flush valve replacing time is knocking at the door.
However, the following are the signs of a faulty flush valve:
- Continuously Running Toilets
The majority of the time, a malfunctioning toilet flapper is to blame for a running toilet. But occasionally, a damaged flush valve is to blame.
- Leaking Toilet Between The Bowl and Tank
When this occurs, the flush valve may be damaged, or the tank-to-bowl covering of the toilet may be leaking. However, a shaky toilet tank may be the culprit.
In these cases, it becomes crucial for you to recover or replace the toilet flush valve. In order to do that, you firstly need to do some preparations.
Preparation
You must make specific arrangements before replacing toilet flush valve. The preparation procedure is given below:
- Stop the flow of water by closing the fixture’s shutoff valve.
- After that, make the flush tank empty.
- Then, using an adjustable wrench, remove the supply line of water from the system.
- Later, use a screwdriver set and adjustable wrench to unscrew the tank bolt nuts, release the toilet tank from its mounting on the bowl, and then carefully transfer it to a thick, old towel.
In addition, some materials are also included in the preparation procedure, which is required to replace your flush valve.
What You Will Need
Tools
- Tools for channel-locking
- Sponge and bucket
- A flexible wrench
- Large screwdriver
- A hacksaw blade (optional)
Materials
- A fresh flush valve
- Two bolts for the toilet tank
- Supply line for water (optional)
Now, as you took preparations along with some essential materials, this is the time to know ‘how to replace toilet flush valve.’ So, in the next section, you will get the steps of replacing the toilet’s flush valve.
Instructions
In the following way, you can replace your toilet flush valve.
- Shut Off The Water
Before starting any installation, turn off the water supply to your toilet to prevent flooding. Then, stop the flow of water by rotating the valve counterclockwise until you encounter resistance. Typically, the valve is found on the wall-entry pipes to your toilet.
- Remove The Toilet Tank
The supply hose is the only one connected to the toilet, so locate it at the base and take it off. Then, raise the tank after removing the hose’s nuts and bolts with your adjustable wrench. The toilet’s tank will detach from the base by delicately being lifted.
- Remove The Tank Bolts
Another set of nuts linking the tank bolts to the tank of the toilet is conceivably there. If you can, take them out.
In addition, using a hacksaw, you can cut the nuts and bolts off in older toilets where the interiors may be tarnished that nothing else would work to remove them. After removing the tank bolts, carefully raise the tank out of the bowl and place it so that you may work on it on a firm surface.
- Remove The Old Flush Valve
You can find a conical, thick rubber gasket; take it off. A sizable plastic nut is located beneath the gasket. You have to release the plastic nut to remove the flush valve.
Moreover, with your pliers, begin rotating the nut in the other direction to loosen it. After doing that, you can easily remove the flush valve.
- Install The New Flush Valve
Take the new flush valve and place it in the same spot as the previous one. Similar to the other, this ought to be a tight fit.
Make sure the metal rod drops into the right place. Before removing the old valve, it may be helpful to snap a picture of it so that you can properly install the new one.
- Install The New Tank Bolts
You then fix the tank bolts through the holes in the toilet tank’s bottom. In addition, you should place the rubber washers under the heads of each bolt.
Moreover, you should fix the metal washers and additional rubber washers over the bolts from the tank’s exterior. Each bolt is fitted with a mounting nut, which is then snugly tightened until the rubber washers are barely compressed.
- Set The Tank Onto The Bowl
To prevent breaking any of the parts you recently fitted, carefully flip the toilet tank back over and reinstall it on the toilet bowl. To ensure the tank fits securely on the toilet, reinstall the nuts. Use the fresh screws with your toilet kit if you bought one.
- Connect The Water Supply
Now you can reconnect the water supply hose once the toilet is firmly planted on the ground once more. In order to avoid any leaks in the future, ensure the water hose is secured correctly.
Ensure the hose is not too tight. You want it to be snug enough to prevent leaks but not so snug that the hose is harmed. To make sure that leaks are avoided, you might wish to use pliers.
When to Call A Professional
A professional can replace a flush valve at a reasonable price with the right tools. You might wish to hire a plumber to complete the task if the thought of removing the toilet tank fill valve gives you any anxiety or if the toilet is quite old and has badly rusted bolts and nuts.
Things to Consider When Selecting Toilet Flush Valve
Considering some key aspects and features is beneficial before selecting a toilet flush valve.
- Material
To ensure long life without leaks, it is crucial to consider the material of a toilet flush valve. A toilet flush valve should generally last six to seven years, relying on the strength of the cleaning agents used, how frequently the toilet is used, and the water quality.
Rubber and ABS plastic are sturdy materials that defend against rust, corrosion, and wear. Both materials are inherently resistant to the harm that water damage can do over time.
- Conservation of Water
You can reduce your water bill costs by using a flush valve with water-saving features. The less water used when flushing the toilet, the less water you have to pay for. You should use a standard 2-inch flush valve since its small size limits the water amount that may get through to the bowl.
- Compatibility
Toilet flush valves are made to fit particular models of toilets. Due to this need, even if the fundamental dimensions like 2-inch, 3-inch, or 4-inch match, not all toilet flush valves will function with all toilet types.
It is because various toilet manufacturers may not employ measures considered an industry standard. So, ensure the flush valve you buy is created by the same company that makes your toilet, and check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the precise product number listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Much Does A Flush Valve Replacement Cost?
Replacement of a simple toilet valve typically costs between $70 and $150. Additionally, it costs about $275 to completely reconstruct the rack tank, which includes the flush valve flap, rinse handle, tank bolts, and ball valve.
2. Is changing A toilet valve challenging?
Anyone with basic DIY skills can replace a toilet fill valve. It does not require plumbing skills. However, you will need a few components, a few tools, and some effort.
3. Are All Flush Valves The Same?
No, all flush valves are not the same. Although numerous types of flush valves exist, most of them can be used interchangeably. And these are determined by the size of the ceramic flush hole.
4. What makes a fill valve different from a flush valve?
There are only two primary components of the toilet tank: the flush valve, which allows water to spout into the bowl during flushing. And the fill valve allows water to refill the tank after flushing.
5. How Many Types of Flush Valves Are There?
There are four types of toilet flush valves. These are:
- Standard flush valves
- Canister flush valves
- Dual-flush valves
- Flushometer
6. What is the average repair time for a toilet valve?
The majority of do-it-yourself homeowners can complete this activity in roughly an hour. All you need is a kit of the replacement fill valve, the directions, and the most fundamental knowledge of how toilets operate.
Final Words
A toilet is an essential part of your home. And it is vital to repair and replace the components of a toilet if you encounter any defaults.
However, the toilet flush valve is one of the essential parts of your toilet. So, if you find any default in your toilet flush valve, you should take immediate action against that.
And the necessary steps of toilet flush valve replacement and essential tools— all the relevant information is given in this article which I have researched for you. So, read the entire article thoroughly to reach out to your solution.
