Are you tired of hearing that constant drip-drip-drip from your urinal?
A leaky flush valve can be a frustrating and wasteful problem, but fear not! With a little know-how and some basic tools, you can fix it yourself.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of identifying the cause of the leak and provide step-by-step instructions for repairing it.
Say goodbye to that annoying sound and hello to a properly functioning urinal.
Let’s get started!
How To Fix A Leaky Urinal Flush Valve
The first step in fixing a leaky urinal flush valve is to identify the source of the leak. Most leaks in and around a urinal are caused by the fixture’s flushometer. Toilets rely on gravity to complete a flush, but a flushometer uses in-house water pressure to complete a flush cycle. When a urinal keeps running or leaks after a flush, it’s time to replace the urinal flush valve and diaphragm inside the flushometer. These parts can fail due to age or constantly fluctuating water volume and pressure.
Once you have identified that the flushometer is the source of the leak, you can begin the repair process. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Turn off the water supply to the urinal. This is usually located behind the wall or under the sink.
2. Remove the cover of the flushometer by unscrewing it from the threads beneath it.
3. Check for leaks around the handle, tailpiece, vacuum breaker, control stop adjustment screw, spud flange coupling, and cover threads.
4. Depending on where the leak is coming from, you may need to replace certain parts of the flushometer. Here are some common solutions:
– Handle Leak: If water is leaking around the handle, the handle seal or handle assembly is worn or damaged. Replace with a handle repair kit or replace the entire assembly.
– Tailpiece Leak: If leaking occurs at the tailpiece next to the control stop, replace the H553 O-ring.
– Vacuum Breaker Leak: Clean the vacuum breaker tube and replace the vacuum breaker sack with V551A or V651A high backpressure vacuum breaker repair kit.
– Control Stop Leak: Replace the O-ring inside of the control stop with H541ASD control stop repair kit.
– Spud Flange Coupling Leak: Tighten spud coupling or replace worn gaskets with F3 friction ring and either a VBF5 gasket (1-1/4” or 1-1/2”) or a F5 gasket (3/4” or 1”).
– Flushometer Cover Leak: Tighten cover.
5. Once you have replaced any necessary parts, reassemble the flushometer and turn on the water supply.
6. Test your repair by flushing the urinal and checking for any leaks.
Congratulations! You have successfully fixed your leaky urinal flush valve.
Identifying The Cause Of The Leak
To identify the cause of a leak in your urinal flush valve, you should first turn off the water supply to the urinal. Next, remove the cover of the flushometer and inspect for leaks around the handle, tailpiece, vacuum breaker, control stop adjustment screw, spud flange coupling, and cover threads. Depending on where the leak is coming from, you may need to replace certain parts of the flushometer.
For example, if water is leaking around the handle, the handle seal or handle assembly may be worn or damaged. Replace with a handle repair kit or replace the entire assembly. If leaking occurs at the tailpiece next to the control stop, replace the H553 O-ring. Clean the vacuum breaker tube and replace the vacuum breaker sack with V551A or V651A high backpressure vacuum breaker repair kit if there’s a vacuum breaker leak.
If there is a leak coming from the control stop adjustment screw (where it says Sloan Valve around the screw), it’s caused by an O-ring inside of the control stop being worn. Replace it with H541ASD control stop repair kit (use H543ASD control stop repair kit for older units). Tighten spud coupling or replace worn gaskets with F3 friction ring and either a VBF5 gasket (1-1/4” or 1-1/2”) or a F5 gasket (3/4” or 1”) if there’s a spud flange coupling leak. Tighten cover if water is leaking from threads beneath the flushometer cover.
By following these steps to identify and fix any leaks in your urinal flush valve, you can ensure that your restroom is clean and efficient.
Tools And Materials Needed
To fix a leaky urinal flush valve, you will need the following tools and materials:
– Adjustable wrench
– Screwdriver
– Replacement parts (depending on the source of the leak, you may need to replace the handle seal or assembly, H553 O-ring, V551A or V651A high backpressure vacuum breaker repair kit, H541ASD control stop repair kit, F3 friction ring, VBF5 gasket (1-1/4” or 1-1/2”) or F5 gasket (3/4” or 1”), and/or flushometer cover)
It’s important to ensure that you have the correct replacement parts for your specific flushometer model. You can find model-specific guides and parts breakdowns on the manufacturer’s website or by consulting with a plumbing professional.
Shutting Off The Water Supply
Before beginning any repair work on your urinal flush valve, it is important to shut off the water supply to prevent any water damage or flooding. The water supply valve for a urinal is usually located behind the wall or under the sink. Turn off the valve by turning it clockwise until it stops.
If you are unable to locate the water supply valve for your urinal, you may need to turn off the main water supply to your building. The main water shutoff valve can be located in several different areas, such as on an interior wall near the front of the house, near the hot water heater, or outside your home attached to an exterior wall or in an underground box with a removable lid.
To turn off the main water supply, locate the valve and turn it clockwise until it stops. If you have a gate valve, be gentle when turning it as an old gate valve can break. If the valve is stuck, leave it alone and call a licensed plumber for assistance.
It is important to test your water shutoff valves before leaving for an extended period of time to ensure they are working properly. Turn on a faucet somewhere in the house and shut off the main water valve. All water flow should stop. If there are any issues with the valves, have them repaired by a licensed plumber before leaving for an extended period of time.
By following these steps, you can safely shut off the water supply to your urinal and prevent any potential damage while making repairs to your leaky flush valve.
Inspecting And Cleaning The Components
Inspecting and cleaning the components of your urinal flush valve is an important part of maintaining your fixture and preventing leaks. Here are some tips for inspecting and cleaning each component:
Handle: Check the handle for any signs of wear or damage. If the handle is loose, tighten it with a wrench. If the handle is damaged, replace it with a new one.
Tailpiece: Inspect the tailpiece for any cracks, corrosion, or buildup. Clean the tailpiece with a wire brush or vinegar solution to remove any buildup.
Vacuum Breaker: Check the vacuum breaker for any signs of damage or buildup. Use a wire brush or vinegar solution to clean the vacuum breaker tube and replace the vacuum breaker sack if necessary.
Control Stop Adjustment Screw: Inspect the control stop adjustment screw for any signs of wear or damage. Replace the O-ring inside of the control stop with a repair kit if necessary.
Spud Flange Coupling: Check the spud flange coupling for any signs of wear, damage, or buildup. Tighten the spud coupling if it’s loose and replace worn gaskets with new ones.
Flushometer Cover: Inspect the flushometer cover for any cracks, corrosion, or buildup. Clean the threads beneath the cover with a wire brush or vinegar solution to remove any buildup.
Regularly inspecting and cleaning these components can help prevent leaks and prolong the life of your urinal flush valve. If you notice any significant damage or wear, it’s best to replace the affected part with a new one to ensure proper functionality.
Replacing Or Repairing The Faulty Parts
When it comes to fixing a leaky urinal flush valve, you may wonder whether it’s best to replace or repair the faulty parts. The answer depends on the severity of the damage and the cost-effectiveness of each option.
In general, if the leak is caused by a worn or damaged part that can be easily replaced, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace the part rather than the entire flushometer. For example, if the handle seal or assembly is worn or damaged, you can replace it with a handle repair kit or replace the entire assembly. Similarly, if leaking occurs at the tailpiece next to the control stop, you can replace the H553 O-ring.
However, if the damage is more severe and affects multiple parts of the flushometer, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire flushometer rather than trying to repair each individual part. Additionally, if the flushometer is old and has already been repaired multiple times, it may be more practical to replace it rather than continuing to repair it.
Ultimately, the decision to replace or repair faulty parts depends on various factors such as cost, severity of damage, and age of the flushometer. It’s important to weigh these factors carefully before making a decision.