One of the most common things to start failing on your toilet is the fill valve. It’s the part that regulates how much water comes into your tank and allows for a quick fill and metered shutoff once the tank gets ample water.
Symptoms include:
- Slow filling
- Wheezing noise when filling
- Not stopping, allowing gallons of water to pour into the bowl and down the drainline
It’s a very inexpensive part but could save you hundreds of dollars on your water bill if it’s faulty. A repair like this could cost you upwards of $400 from some of the bigger companies, and if left to a novice handyman, it could cost you more in repairs if not installed properly and it leaks. Follow these simple steps to save money and ensure the job gets done right.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Towel
- Bucket or small container
- New fill valve (e.g., Fluidmaster, Korky, or Kohler)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Turn off the water supply: Locate the shutoff valve, usually on the wall or floor behind the toilet.
- Drain the tank: Remove the tank lid and flush the toilet. Hold the flush lever down to drain as much water as possible. Use a sponge or towel to soak up any remaining water.
- Disconnect the supply line: Place a bucket or towel under the tank. Use a wrench to loosen the nut connecting the supply line to the bottom left side of the tank.
- Remove the old fill valve: Use the wrench to loosen the plastic locknut on the underside of the tank that holds the fill valve in place. You can often loosen it by hand. Once complete, lift the old fill valve out of the tank.
- Install the new fill valve: Follow the directions on the box and place the rubber gasket on the new fill valve. Twist the lower part of the fill valve to match the height of the old valve (the water level should be about 1 inch below the top of the overflow valve). Place the new fill valve into the tank through the hole and hand-tighten the plastic locknut, then use a wrench for ¼ turn more.
- Attach the refill tube to the fill valve and clip it to the overflow valve.
- Reconnect the supply line to the new fill valve.
- Turn on the water and test: Slowly turn the water supply back on. Let the tank fill and check for leaks at the base or connections. Adjust the float height on the fill valve if needed. The tank should fill within 30 seconds. If no leaks are spotted, replace the lid and you’re good to go.
This is definitely one of the easier repairs to do on your toilet and can be completed in 15 minutes even by the newest DIYers. You get the satisfaction of doing it yourself on your own time—and also saving possibly hundreds of dollars depending on which company you would have called.
Check back next month for more helpful tips and DIY projects.