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A toilet tank fill valve plays an
important role in a toilet. It is the mechanism that fills the tank with
fresh water after you flush it. Unfortunately, and inevitably, a toilet tank
fill valve will malfunction over time. Sometimes the malfunction manifests
itself by a constantly running toilet and other times it may not completely
fill the tank. And in some cases, the valve may oscillate between off and on
and cause a loud humming sound in the tank. When any one of these types of
malfunctions occur it is best to simply replace the toilet tank fill valve.
A toilet tank fill valve costs around $10 and you can replace one yourself
in about 30 minutes. |
Removing the
Old Toilet Tank Fill Valve
To replace a toilet tank fill valve, first shut off the supply line to the
toilet tank. Then flush the toilet to drain as much water as possible out of
the toilet tank.
Once you’ve flushed out as much water as possible from the toilet tank, use
a sponge or towel to sop up the residual water in the tank. Have a bucket
handy to squeeze out the soaked sponge or towel.
After removing any residual water from the tank, disconnect the water supply
line from the base of the toilet tank. If you’re lucky the supply line nut
will be able to be screwed off with just your fingers. If it is too tight
you may need to use an adjustable pair of pliers to loosen it.
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With the supply line disconnected
from the toilet tank, next remove the large plastic nut that sits underneath
the toilet tank and that holds the existing toilet tank fill valve in place.
Again, you may need a pair of adjustable pliers to remove this nut.
After removing the large plastic nut the old toilet tank fill valve should
be able to be lifted out of the toilet. You may need to unclip the small
thin hose that connects between the toilet tank fill valve and the overflow
pipe. |
Replacing Toilet Tank Fill
Valve
With your old toilet tank fill valve in hand visit your local home
improvement center and find a similar replacement toilet tank fill valve.
Many replacement toilet tank fill valves are adjustable which can help in
preventing multiple trips back to the home improvement center.
Once back from the home improvement center install the large thick rubber
washer to the base of the threads on the new toilet tank fill valve. Also
read the installation instructions on the toilet tank fill valve replacement
packaging to ensure that you have adjusted the height of the valve to the
proper height.
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Then slide the replacement toilet
tank fill valve assembly into the hole in the bottom of the toilet tank. Use
the new large plastic nut to secure it in place. The large plastic nut
should mount to the threads on the underside of the toilet tank and should
only be finger tightened. Avoid using pliers as you do not want to crack the
porcelain tank.
After securing the replacement toilet tank fill valve to the toilet tank,
reattach the supply line to the base of the tank. Before attaching the
supply line nut, however, wrap some plumbers tape around the threads of the
toilet tank fill valve. Also, again only finger tighten the supply line nut
to the threads of the toilet tank fill valve.
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Photo by Mark Donovan |
Next, attach the small flexible hose to the nipple located near the top of
the toilet tank fill valve. Connect the other side of the flexible hose to
the top of the overflow pipe. Often there is a clip that attaches the hose
to the top of the overflow pipe. Make sure to use it if one comes
with the toilet tank fill valve replacement kit.
If your particular toilet tank fill valve has a separate arm and float
mechanism attach them to the toilet tank fill valve.
Finally turn the supply line valve back on and observe that the toilet tank
fill valve fills up the tank appropriately before shutting off. After the
toilet tank fill valve has shut off, flush the toilet and again check to see
if the toilet fills up properly and to the right level. Also inspect the
nuts to make sure there are no leaks. If there are leaks, tighten up the
nuts a little more. If you need to use adjustable pliers make sure not to
apply too much torque.
With the toilet flushing and filling properly again your toilet tank fill
valve replacement project is complete. Put the lid back on the toilet and
you’re done.
Plumbing - Toilet Repair / Toilet
Maintenance
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Additional Home Plumbing Resources
Toilet Tank Fill Valves and other Toilet Parts from Amazon.com
