Toilet Flush Valve Replacement

A standard toilet flushes when the handle lifts the flapper from a hole in the bottom of the toilet tank and allows the water in the tank to flush the bowl. This, along with a small jet in the bottom front of the bowl, pushes the debris down the drain. The bowl refills via a flush valve that is connected to the water line with a water supply hose. If your toilet is refilling slowly after flushing or not at all, you may need to replace the flush valve. This repair can be accomplished in less than half an hour and with the use of common household tools.

Tools Of The Trade
Sponge
New flush valve
Slip-joint pliers
Utility knife

Step 1:
Locate the toilet's shutoff valve under the left side of the tank on the floor. Turn the handle or knob on the shutoff valve completely clockwise to stop the flow of water to the tank.

Step 2:
Flush the toilet to remove most of the water. Remove the toilet tank top and use a sponge to extract the remaining water from the tank.

Step 3:
Unscrew the water supply hose from the bottom of the flush valve that sticks through the bottom of the tank. Turn the fitting on the end of the hose counterclockwise using your hand or a pair of slip-joint pliers.

Step 4:
Unfasten the plastic nut from around the bottom of the flush valve using the slip-joint pliers. Turn the nut counterclockwise to unloosen and remove it. From inside the tank, pull out the black hose from the overflow tube and remove the old flush valve.

Step 5:
Lay the new flush valve next to the old one and extend the telescoping bottom if it shorter than the old one.

Step 6:
Cut out the center of the black rubber gasket that was provided with the new flush valve using a utility knife. Place the gasket over the end of the flush valve with the flanged end pointing toward the end of the flush valve.

Step 7:
Set the new flush valve in the hole in the bottom of the tank and from underneath the tank thread the plastic nut onto the end of the flush valve sticking through the bottom. Hand-tighten the nut and then tighten it the rest of the way using a pair of slip-joint pliers. Don't over-tighten the nut. Reconnect the water supply hose.

Step 8:
Connect one end of the black rubber hose that was provided with the new flush valve to the small plastic nipple at the top of the valve. Connect the other end to the plastic clip that came with the flush valve and set the clip into the overflow tube on the inside back of the tank. Replace the toilet tank top and restore the water supply by turning the handle or knob on the shutoff valve completely counterclockwise.