Is your toilet constantly running or leaking into the bowl?
A busted flush valve could be the culprit. While it may seem like a daunting task to fix, it’s actually not too complicated and can be done by yourself.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of fixing a toilet flush valve leak. From locating shut off valves to adjusting the chain, we’ve got you covered.
So, grab your tools and let’s get started!
How To Fix Toilet Flush Valve Leak
Step 1: Locate Shut Off Valves
Before you begin any work on your toilet, it’s important to know where your emergency water shut off valve is located. This will come in handy in case the toilet supply line or valve starts leaking.
Head over to your toilet and turn off the water using the shut off valve near the base of the toilet. This will ensure that you can work on the toilet without any water flowing into it.
Step 2: Drain The Tank
Flush your toilet to drain the tank of water. If you’ve turned off the water to the toilet properly, it will not refill with water.
Step 3: Remove The Old Flapper
Take off the old flapper by unhooking the chain from the lever/arm (connected to the toilet handle) and detaching it from the prongs on either side of the flush valve.
Step 4: Install The New Flapper
Attach the new flapper to the prongs on either side of the flush valve, then hook the new chain up to the end of the toilet handle lever.
Step 5: Adjust The Chain
Hold up the chain to see where it hits while the lever is at rest – leave about two links of slack in the chain. You don’t want it too short or too long, as this will affect how well your toilet flushes.
Step 6: Turn On The Water And Test It Out
Turn on the water and let the tank refill with water. Once it’s full, give it a flush to test how well it flushes. If it doesn’t flush properly, adjust the length of the chain again until you get a good quality flush.
Step 7: Adjust The Float (If You Have One)
Toilet floats are made to make sure your toilet tank refills without overflowing. If yours has a float, adjust its height so that it sits 1-2 inches below the fill valve and overflow tube. This will prevent water from running into the overflow tube and constantly staying running.
Step 8: Fixing A Flush Valve Leak
If a busted flush valve is causing your toilet leak, follow these steps:
– Remove the tank’s lid.
– Shut off the water by turning the shut-off valve clockwise.
– Drain water out of the tank by holding down the flush lever until it’s completely flushed.
– Use a sponge to dry up remaining water.
– Cut off the connection of the water supply tube or hose from the tank.
– Disconnect the flapper chain from the tank lever arm.
– Remove screws holding tank to bowl.
– Using a long slotted screwdriver, reach into tank to prevent tank bolt from turning. Remove tank bolts when everything is clear.
– Lift tank off and set aside.
– Remove locknut that holds flush valve to tank.
– Remove old flush valve.
– Install new flush valve.
– Reattach tank to bowl using tank bolt after flush valve has been installed.
– Reattach flapper chain to flush lever arm.
– Reattach fill tube to new overflow pipe.
– Reconnect water supply to tank.
– Turn on water and test new flush valve.
– Check for leaks.
Locating The Shut Off Valves
Before you start any work on your toilet, it’s important to know where your shut off valves are located. In case of an emergency, you’ll need to know how to turn off the water supply to your toilet quickly. The shut off valve for your toilet is typically located near the base of the toilet. If you can’t find it there, check behind the toilet or along the wall behind it.
To turn off the water supply to your toilet, simply turn the valve clockwise until it stops. Once you’ve turned off the valve, flush your toilet a few times to drain the tank and ensure that no water is left in the pipes.
If you’re unable to locate the shut off valve for your toilet, you may need to turn off the main water supply to your home. This will shut off all water sources inside your house, including your toilet. To do this, find and watch your water meter. If the digital numbers on the meter are increasing as you watch, there is likely a leak in your system. If you don’t see any movement in the numbers, check for a slow leak by recording the meter reading and checking again in 10-20 minutes. If the number has advanced, you have a slow leak.
Once you’ve located and turned off the shut off valves for your toilet, you can begin working on fixing any leaks or replacing any parts that need attention. Remember to turn on the water supply and test your toilet after making any repairs to ensure that everything is working properly.
Draining The Toilet Tank
Draining the toilet tank is an important step in fixing a toilet flush valve leak. To do this, you first need to locate the shut-off valve near the base of the toilet and turn it off. This will prevent any water from flowing into the toilet during your repair.
Next, flush the toilet to drain the tank of water. If you have properly turned off the water supply, the tank will not refill with water.
If there is still some water left in the tank, you can use a sponge to soak it up. It’s important to remove all of the water from the tank before proceeding with any repairs.
Once the tank is drained, you can begin repairing the flush valve. Follow the steps outlined above to remove and replace the old flapper with a new one. Adjust the chain length as needed to ensure proper flushing.
If a busted flush valve is causing your leak, follow the steps outlined above to remove the tank and install a new flush valve. Remember to turn off the water supply before beginning any repairs and check for leaks after completing the repair.
Removing The Toilet Flapper
The toilet flapper is an essential component of your toilet’s flush valve system. If you have a leaky flapper, it can cause your toilet to run continuously or intermittently. Here are the steps to follow to remove the old flapper:
Step 1: Turn off the water supply to the toilet by turning the valve near the base of the toilet clockwise.
Step 2: Flush the toilet to drain the tank of water.
Step 3: Locate the flapper chain connected to the flush lever and unhook it.
Step 4: Detach the old flapper from the prongs on either side of the flush valve.
Step 5: Remove any buildup from the flush valve seat by wiping it with a cloth or paper towel.
Step 6: Dispose of the old flapper properly.
Once you have removed the old flapper, you can proceed to install a new one following the steps outlined in the previous section. Remember to adjust the chain length properly to ensure that your toilet flushes correctly.
Inspecting The Flush Valve Seat
The flush valve seat is a crucial component in your toilet’s flushing system. Over time, mineral deposits can build up on the seat, leading to leaks and water wastage. Here’s how to inspect the flush valve seat:
1. Turn off the water supply to your toilet using the shut-off valve located near the base of the toilet.
2. Flush the toilet to empty the tank and expose the flush valve seat.
3. Run your finger around the rim of the flush valve seat. If you feel any mineral deposits or rough spots, it’s time to clean or replace the seat.
4. Use an abrasive sponge or Scotch-Brite pad to gently clean any mineral deposits from the flush valve seat. Avoid using anything that may scratch or roughen the surface.
5. If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to replace the flapper valve.
6. To replace the flapper valve, detach it from the prongs on either side of the flush valve and unhook its chain from the lever/arm connected to the toilet handle.
7. Install a new flapper valve by attaching it to the prongs on either side of the flush valve and hooking its chain up to the end of the lever/arm connected to the toilet handle.
8. Adjust the chain length so that there are about two links of slack in it, ensuring that it’s not too short or too long.
9. Turn on the water supply and let the tank refill with water.
10. Give your toilet a test flush to ensure that everything is working properly.
By regularly inspecting and maintaining your toilet’s flush valve seat, you can prevent leaks and ensure that your toilet is running efficiently.
Replacing The Flush Valve Assembly
If you’ve determined that your toilet leak is caused by a faulty flush valve assembly, you will need to replace it. Here’s how:
Step 1: Turn Off The Water
As with any toilet repair, the first step is to turn off the water supply. Locate the shut-off valve near the base of the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water.
Step 2: Drain The Tank
Flush the toilet to drain as much water as possible from the tank. You may need to use a sponge to remove any remaining water.
Step 3: Remove The Old Flush Valve Assembly
Remove the mounting nut from the tailpiece of the old flush valve assembly located on the bottom of the tank. Use channel-lock pliers to loosen and remove the nut. Gently lift the old flush valve assembly out of the tank.
Step 4: Install The New Flush Valve Assembly
Slide the large beveled washer onto the tailpiece of the new flush valve assembly, with the beveled side facing down. Insert the new flush valve assembly through the opening in the toilet tank from the inside. Orient the flush valve unit inside the tank according to the manufacturer’s directions, usually with the vertical overflow tube positioned near the back of the tank.
Thread the mounting nut onto the flush valve tailpiece from outside of the tank, and tighten it down with channel-lock pliers. As you tighten the nut, make sure that the beveled washer inside the tank compresses slightly, sealing the flush valve opening. Do not over-tighten, as this can cause damage.
Step 5: Install The Foam Gasket
Place the large foam gasket over the flush valve tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank. This gasket serves as a “shock absorber” to cushion the tank when you set it back onto the toilet bowl.
Step 6: Reattach The Tank To The Bowl
Carefully lower the tank back onto the toilet bowl and reattach it using tank bolts and screws. Make sure everything is tightened securely.
Step 7: Turn On The Water And Test It Out
Turn on the water supply and let the tank refill with water. Once it’s full, give it a test flush to ensure that everything is working properly. Check for any leaks around the new flush valve assembly or other parts of your toilet.
By following these steps, you can successfully replace your old flush valve assembly and fix any leaks in your toilet.
Adjusting The Chain Length
Adjusting the chain length is a crucial step in fixing a toilet flush valve leak. The chain connects the flushing handle to the flapper, which is responsible for allowing water to flow out of the tank and into the bowl when you flush. If the chain is too long, the flapper won’t seal properly, and if it’s too short, the flapper won’t open all the way, resulting in a weak flush.
To adjust the chain length, hold up the chain to see where it hits while the lever is at rest. Leave about two links of slack in the chain, making sure it’s not too short or too long. If it’s too short, it will constantly pull the flapper up and allow water to leak into the bowl. If it’s too long, it won’t be able to pull the flapper open all the way when you flush.
To make adjustments, turn off the water supply by closing the shut-off valve found under the toilet tank. Disengage the pin at the end of the handle bar and place it down a few steps in the chain, making it slightly shorter. Return the pin or hook onto the end of the handle.
Once you’ve made adjustments, turn on the water supply and let the tank fill up. Then, check to see if your adjustment did the trick. If not, try adjusting the chain a little more until you get a good quality flush.
Remember that adjusting the chain length is just one part of fixing a toilet flush valve leak. If your toilet still leaks after adjusting the chain, you may need to replace your old flapper with a new one or even replace your entire flush valve.