Toilet Troubleshooting and Replacement: Chapter 4
Replacement of flapper, flush valve, and fill valve
By the end of this module, you should be able to describe the following: Replacement procedure of a flapper, Replacement procedure of a flush valve, and Replacement procedure of a fill valve. Skip to quiz!
Toilet flapper replacement
If you observe water running intermittently without flushing, the flapper or flush valve is likely faulty. First, check for damage to the flapper. If you find it faulty, replace the flapper.
Remove the tank lid,
Drop a toilet dye tablet to check if the water leaks from the tank to the bowl without flushing,
If the color of the water in the bowl changes, turn off the shut-off valve to stop refilling the tank,
Flush the tank to empty it,
Then disconnect the flapper from the flush lever and flush valve,
Then disconnect the chain and check the flapper for damage,
Replace the flapper,
Reconnect the chain to the arm, keeping it a little loose so the connection is not under stress,
Turn on the shut-off valve to fill the tank,
Check for any leaks around the supply line,
Flush again and check leaks in the system, and
Reinstall the tank lid.
Toilet flush valve replacement
If you observe water running intermittently without flushing, the flapper or flush valve may be faulty. First, check for damage to the flapper. If undamaged, you need to check the condition of the flush valve. If it is faulty, you must replace it.
Remove the tank lid,
Drop a toilet dye tablet to check if the water leaks from the tank to the bowl without flushing,
If the color of the water in the bowl changes, turn off the shut-off valve to stop refilling the tank,
Flush the tank to empty it,
Then disconnect the flapper from the flush lever and flush valve,
Check the flapper for damage. If not damaged, the flush valve is faulty,
Then disconnect the supply line from the tank,
Loosen the screws inside the tank,
Lift the tank from the bowl and lay it on a table to access the bottom part of the tank,
Remove the tank-to-bowl gasket and the locknut from the bottom of the tank,
Remove the flush valve and replace it with a new one,
Tighten the locknut at the bottom and return the tank-to-bowl gasket,
Place the tank on the bowl,
Adjust the chain to get some play,
Reconnect the supply line to the tank,
Turn on the shut-off valve to fill the tank,
Check for leaks around the supply line,
Flush again to check leaks in the system, and
Reinstall the tank lid.
Toilet fill valve replacement
The fill valve may be faulty if you observe water constantly running without flushing or if not enough water fills the tank. In this case, you need to replace the fill valve.
Remove the tank lid and check for water level,
If the water constantly runs, the water level may be higher than the top of the overflow tube,
Lower the water level by rotating the water level screw clockwise,
Check whether the water level reduces or not,
If it reduces, put the tank lid back on the tank, and you are done,
If the level does not reduce, turn off the shut-off valve to stop the tank from refilling,
Flush the tank to empty it,
Then disconnect the supply line from the tank,
Loosen the lock nut attached to the fill valve,
Replace the fill valve and adjust the fill tube,
Tighten the lock nut on the bottom of the tank,
Reconnect the supply line to the tank, and turn on the shut-off valve to fill the tank,
Confirm that the water level is below the top of the overflow tube,
Check for leaks around the supply line,
Flush again to inspect the leakage in the system, and
Reinstall the tank lid.
In this module, you have learned about the following:
Replacement procedure of a flapper,
Replacement procedure of a flush valve, and
Replacement procedure of a fill valve.
Question #1: When do you have to replace a flapper? (Select all that apply)
If the water runs intermittently without flushing
If the tank-to-bowl gasket is damaged
If the tank-to-bowl gasket is worn out
If the flapper is worn out
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: If the water runs intermittently without flushing
If the flapper is worn out
You must replace the flapper if the water runs intermittently without flushing and the flapper is worn out.
Question #2: When do you have to replace a flush valve?
If the water runs intermittently without flushing
If the tank-to-bowl gasket is damaged
If the tank-to-bowl gasket is worn out
If the flapper is worn out
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: If the water runs intermittently without flushing
You must replace the flush valve if the water runs intermittently without flushing and the flapper is proper.
Question #3: When do you have to replace a fill valve?
If the water runs intermittently without flushing
If the tank-to-bowl gasket is damaged
If the tank-to-bowl gasket is worn out
If the water constantly runs without flushing
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: If the water constantly runs without flushing
You must replace the fill valve if the water constantly runs without flushing.