How to Replace a Toilet Flush Valve

What is a flush valve?

The flush valve is located in the middle of the toilet tank. It includes the overflow tube, the hole where water enters the bowl when the toilet is flushed, and the rubber tank ball or flapper that covers the hole when the tank is full.

How to detect a broken flush valve?

If your flush valve is broken, you will notice water leaking out from the toilet tank. Begin to address the problem by replacing the flapper first. If that doesn’t seem to work, then replace the flush valve to stop the leakage. This guide will help you replace the flush valve in 7 simple steps:

Tools Required:

 Preparation

Before you set out to replace your toilet flush valve, you need to do some preparations to perform the replacement steps. Turn off the water by turning off the fixture turn off valve. After that flush the flush tank empty. Disconnect the water supply line with the help of an adjustable wrench.  Now, remove the toilet tank from its position on the bowl by unscrewing the tank bolt nuts with an adjustable wrench and screwdrivers set and gently place it on an old thick towel. This will prevent your porcelain tank from cracking.

Now, follow the following steps to replace your damaged toilet flush valve:

  1. Remove the old flush valve by unscrewing the spud nut with a spud wrench or a pair of slip joint pliers.

 

  1. To install the new flush valve, slide the large, beveled washer onto the tailpiece of the new flush valve. Make sure the beveled side of the washer points towards the end of the tailpiece. Then insert the flush valve into the tank opening in the inside part of the tank opening.

 

  1. Screw the spud nut onto the flush valve tailpiece from the outside of the flush tank then tighten it down with channel lock pliers. You will see the beveled washer inside the tank gets compressed slightly while sealing the flush valve opening as you tighten the nut.

 

  1. The next step is to place the large foam gasket over the tailpiece. This soft gasket acts as a shock absorber and protects the tank when you place it back onto the toilet bowl.

 

  1. Connect the water supply line

 

  1. Replace the flapper and reconnect the refill tube to the top of the overflow tube.

 

  1. Turn on the water supply and check if there are any leaks. If you don’t see any leaks, you are good to go.