How To Fix A Flush Valve

Are you tired of hearing the constant sound of running water in your bathroom? Does your toilet take forever to refill after each flush?

It might be time to fix your flush valve. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. With a few simple steps and the right tools, you can easily repair or replace your flush valve and get your toilet working like new again.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of fixing a flush valve, from draining the tank to installing a new flapper or tank ball assembly.

So, let’s get started and say goodbye to that annoying running water once and for all!

Step 1: Turn off the water supply

Before you begin any work on your toilet, it’s important to turn off the water supply. Look for the valve located behind or near the toilet and turn it clockwise until it’s fully closed.

Step 2: Drain the tank

Flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank. Depending on the age of your toilet, you may have a rubber flapper or a tank ball assembly that controls the flow of water down into the toilet bowl during a flush. Both of these are usually mounted with a bracket that clamps over the overflow tube. Remove the old flapper or tank ball along with any brackets, guide wires, or flush lever chain. Be careful not to drop anything into the drain valve opening, as it could clog the toilet.

Step 3: Remove the old assembly

Once you’ve drained as much water out of the tank as possible, remove the old flapper or tank ball assembly along with any brackets, guide wires, or flush lever chain. There should be nothing left of the old assembly, only the exposed seat of the drain valve.

Step 4: Install a new flapper or tank ball assembly

If replacing just the flapper didn’t work, consider purchasing a kit that contains a flush seat repair. These kits usually come with a new flapper and matching seat that you adhere to the damaged seat with adhesive provided. Follow the included instructions to install the new toilet flapper valve seat and flapper.

Pro tip: Some kits come with a plastic cup that allows you to adjust the length of time the flapper stays open. It’s for toilets that use 3.5 gallons or less for a flush. If your toilet uses more than this, remove the timing cup.

Step 5: Adjust chain length and test flush

Once you’ve installed your new flapper or tank ball assembly, adjust the length of the chain so it’s just slightly slack when the flapper is down. Turn on the water supply and test your flush to ensure everything is working correctly.

Step 6: Cut off excess chain

When you’re done testing your flush, cut off any excess chain to keep it from getting stuck under the flapper.

Gathering The Necessary Tools And Materials

Before you begin fixing your flush valve, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and materials. Most of these tools are common household items, but it’s important to ensure that you have everything you need before starting the repair. Here are the tools and materials you’ll need:

1. Plumber’s wrench: This tool will help you unscrew the locknut holding flush valve to the tank.

2. Pliers: You’ll need a good pair of pliers to remove the flapper chain from the flush handle and to connect the chain to the new flapper.

3. Screwdrivers: Both Phillips head and regular types will be needed for removing brackets, guide wires, or flush lever chain.

4. Adjustable wrench: This tool is essential for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts.

5. Plunger: A plunger is necessary for clearing a clogged toilet.

6. Toilet auger: This tool is used to clear more stubborn clogs that a plunger can’t handle.

7. Spacers: These are used for installing or removing a flush valve from a toilet tank.

8. Wax seals: These seals are used to create a watertight seal between the toilet and the drain pipe.

9. Toilet supply tube: This tube connects the toilet tank to the water supply.

10. Plastic shims: These are used to level the toilet during installation.

11. Flapper or tank ball assembly: This is what controls the flow of water down into the toilet bowl during a flush.

12. Flush seat repair kit: If replacing just the flapper didn’t work, consider purchasing a kit that contains a flush seat repair. These kits usually come with a new flapper and matching seat that you adhere to the damaged seat with adhesive provided.

By having all of these tools and materials on hand, you’ll be prepared to fix your flush valve without any delays or interruptions. Remember, most plumbing tools are not expensive and can be used for general home repairs as well, making them a worthwhile investment for any homeowner.

Draining The Toilet Tank

Before you can begin repairing your flush valve, you need to drain the toilet tank. This is an important step to prevent water from spilling out while you work on the valve. To do this, start by turning off the water supply valve located behind or near the toilet. Once the water supply is turned off, flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank.

If your toilet has a rubber flapper or a tank ball assembly that controls the flow of water down into the toilet bowl during a flush, you can remove it to drain any excess water from the tank. However, if your handle or flapper chain is broken, you can still drain your toilet by pulling up the rubber flapper in the tank. To do this, remove the tank’s lid and look for a chain. If it is disconnected from the interior handle arm, slide the chain back onto it and try the handle again. If that doesn’t work, see if the chain is connected to the flapper; you may be able to reconnect it.

To remove any remaining water from the bottom of your toilet tank, use a large sponge to soak it up. You can also use our guide for Sponge Drying a Toilet Tank to ensure that all excess water is removed.

Once you have drained the bowl and removed all excess water, you can proceed with repairing your flush valve. Remember to turn on the water supply valve before testing your flush to ensure that everything is working correctly.

Removing The Old Flapper Or Tank Ball Assembly

Before you can install a new flapper or tank ball assembly, you’ll need to remove the old one. Start by turning off the water supply to your toilet. Look for the valve located behind or near the toilet and turn it clockwise until it’s fully closed.

Next, flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank. Depending on the age of your toilet, you may have a rubber flapper or a tank ball assembly that controls the flow of water down into the toilet bowl during a flush. Both of these are usually mounted with a bracket that clamps over the overflow tube.

To remove the old assembly, start by disconnecting any guide wires or flush lever chain that may be attached to it. Then, carefully remove any brackets that are holding it in place. Be sure to keep all parts and pieces together so you can easily identify which ones need to be replaced.

Once you’ve removed all parts of the old assembly, there should be nothing left but the exposed seat of the drain valve. This is where you’ll install your new flapper or tank ball assembly.

If you’re replacing just the flapper and not the entire assembly, cut off any ring on the back of your new flapper using a strong pair of scissors. If your flush valve doesn’t have side pegs for the flapper, use the ring provided with the new flapper to slide it into place over the overflow tube.

When you’re done testing your flush, cut off any excess chain to keep it from getting stuck under the flapper.

Installing A New Flapper Or Tank Ball Assembly

If you’re experiencing issues with your toilet not flushing correctly, it may be time to install a new flapper or tank ball assembly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn off the water supply: Before you begin any work on your toilet, it’s important to turn off the water supply. Look for the valve located behind or near the toilet and turn it clockwise until it’s fully closed.

2. Drain the tank: Flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank. Depending on the age of your toilet, you may have a rubber flapper or a tank ball assembly that controls the flow of water down into the toilet bowl during a flush. Both of these are usually mounted with a bracket that clamps over the overflow tube. Remove the old flapper or tank ball along with any brackets, guide wires, or flush lever chain. Be careful not to drop anything into the drain valve opening, as it could clog the toilet.

3. Remove the old assembly: Once you’ve drained as much water out of the tank as possible, remove the old flapper or tank ball assembly along with any brackets, guide wires, or flush lever chain. There should be nothing left of the old assembly, only the exposed seat of the drain valve.

4. Install a new flapper or tank ball assembly: If replacing just the flapper didn’t work, consider purchasing a kit that contains a flush seat repair. These kits usually come with a new flapper and matching seat that you adhere to the damaged seat with adhesive provided. Follow the included instructions to install the new toilet flapper valve seat and flapper.

5. Adjust chain length and test flush: Once you’ve installed your new flapper or tank ball assembly, adjust the length of the chain so it’s just slightly slack when the flapper is down. Turn on the water supply and test your flush to ensure everything is working correctly.

6. Cut off excess chain: When you’re done testing your flush, cut off any excess chain to keep it from getting stuck under the flapper.

By following these steps, you can easily install a new flapper or tank ball assembly and fix any issues with your toilet’s flush valve.

Adjusting The Chain Length

One of the most common causes of frustration when using a toilet is having to hold down the handle for the toilet to flush properly. This issue can be easily fixed by adjusting the chain length. The chain connects the flushing handle to the flapper, which is a covering at the top of the tank where water flows out. If the chain is too loose, the flapper may not come up all the way when the handle is pushed, or it may not rest all the way down. On the other hand, if the chain is too tight, the flapper may close too soon for a good flush.

To adjust the chain length, first turn off the water supply by closing the “shut-off valve” found under the toilet tank. Stop the water flow by turning the valve clockwise. 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. Then turn your toilet shut-off valve back on and let the tank fill up. Check to see if the adjustment did the trick. If not, try to adjust the chain a little more.

It’s also important to check for any kinks in the lift chain. It should hang from the lever in an almost straight line to the flapper with a hook at each end of the chain. If necessary, adjust its length by slipping a different link over the hook at the lever end. Adjust its slack so that it’s long enough to allow the flapper to close completely but not so long that it droops when closed. You may need to bend both hooks or chain links with needlenose pliers to make these adjustments.

Lastly, periodically wipe clean both surfaces of the rubber flapper and opening it covers. Minor buildup around this opening may prevent proper sealing after flushing, which can mimic a handle-and-chain issue. By following these steps, you can easily adjust your toilet’s chain length and ensure proper flushing every time.