How to Replace a Flush Valve

If water from your toilet tank is leaking into the bowl, the first suspect generally is the flush valve. In this video, we’ll show you how to remove the tank from the bowl to replace a flush valve and stop the leak. If you need to replace your entire toilet, you may be interested in our How to Replace a Toilet video.

Tools

Steps

  1. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 1

    Remove lid from tank.

  2. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 2

    Shut off water by turning the shut-off valve clockwise.

  3. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 3

    Drain as much water out of tank as possible by holding flush lever down until toilet is completely flushed.

  4. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 4

    Sponge or towel out any remaining water in the tank. A shop vac also works well.

  5. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 5

    Disconnect water supply tube or hose to tank.

  6. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 6

    Disconnect flapper chain from tank lever arm.

  7. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 7

    Disconnect refill tube attached to top of overflow pipe.

  8. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 8

    Underneath tank, unscrew bolts that hold tank to bowl. You may need to spray them with some penetrating oil first before trying to loosen them.

  9. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 9

    Reach in tank with a long slotted screwdriver to keep tank bolt from turning while loosening nuts under tank with an adjustable wrench. Remove tank bolts.

  10. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 10

    Lift tank off of bowl and set aside on towel.

  11. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 11

    Underneath the tank, unscrew the locknut holding flush valve to the tank using a plumber’s wrench. Remove old flush valve.

  12. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 12

    Install new flush valve the same way you removed the old one, following manufacturer’s instructions.

  13. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 13

    Once installed, reattach tank to bowl with tank bolts.

  14. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 14

    Reattach flapper chain to flush lever arm.

  15. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 15

    Reattach fill tube to new overflow pipe.

  16. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 16

    Reconnect water supply to tank.

  17. How to Replace a Flush Valve - Step 17

    Turn on water, test new flush valve and check for leaks.


Read Video Transcript

If your toilet is leaking, the first suspect generally is the flush valve. Now if you’re not sure what the problem is, you might want to watch our video “Diagnosing a Leaky Toilet” to figure out which component inside the tank is leaking. Otherwise, stick around and I’ll show you how to install a new flush valve on your toilet.

The good news is that repairing a toilet is easy. It won’t cost you much or take up much of your time. As always, you’ll find all the parts and tools you need to finish this project, along with answers to your plumbing questions, right here at your local independent home improvement retailer.

The flush valve is in the middle of the toilet. When you push the lever, the flapper mechanism raises to let water out of the tank and into the bowl.

Some leaks can be fixed by simply replacing the flapper. If that’s all you think you need to fix the leak, check out the FAQs section of our website for more information.

Here, I’m going to show you how to replace the entire flush valve. That will include both the flapper as well as the seat that helps create the seal to keep water in the tank. To install it, you’ll need to remove the toilet tank from the bowl. Don’t worry this is easier than it sounds. So let’s get started.

First, take the lid off the tank.

Then shut off the water to the toilet by turning the shutoff valve clockwise.

Drain the water out of the tank by holding down the tank lever. Use a sponge or a towel to remove the water that doesn’t drain out. Now, disconnect the water supply to the tank. You may need an adjustable wrench or a pair of channel locking pliers to loosen the connection.

Disconnect the chain attached to the flapper. Also disconnect the refill tube that’s attached to the top of the overflow pipe.

Now, we’re ready for the most difficult part of the project: disconnecting the tank from the bowl. Underneath the tank, you’ll see bolts that go through the tank and bowl flange. Unscrew these, and be careful. If they are difficult to remove, use penetrating oil to loosen them. If you try to force them, you could break the tank. To keep the bolt from moving while you loosen the nut, use a large screwdriver to hold the top of the bolt inside the tank.

Once the bolts are removed, lift the tank away from the bowl and place it on a towel on the floor so you don’t scratch it. Tanks can be heavy, so you may need help with this step.

You’ll see there is a large rubber gasket between the tank and bowl. Remove this gasket and save it. Some kits come with a replacement gasket and some don’t. So keep it just in case. They can also be purchased separately.

Unscrew the large lock nut holding the flush valve to the tank. Again, be careful how much force you use, as you don’t want to break the tank. Use a plumber’s wrench or a large pair of locking pliers with adjustable jaws.

After you’ve removed the old flush valve, attach the new one pretty much the same way the old one came off. The rubber gasket goes on the inside of the tank to prevent it from leaking. The lock nut fits on the outside. Hand tighten the lock nut, then five it an extra ½ turn with the plumbers wrench. Don’t over-tighten or you may risk cracking the tank.

Use new brass tank bolts to attach the tank to the bowl. Hand-tighten the nuts evenly and remember not to over-tighten them or you risk cracking the tank.

Connect the flapper chain to the tank lever, leaving some slack for when the flapper is closed. Then, reconnect the water supply tube to the overflow pipe, turn on the water, and your toilet should work like new.

If you have questions about this or any other home improvement project, be sure to read our list of Frequently Asked Questions for this video. And be sure to print out our Project Instructions, which includes a Tools and Materials checklist, before visiting your local independent home improvement retailer. That’s where you’ll find all the products and helpful advice to complete your project. If you’re not sure where to find your local store, check out our Store Locator.

Good luck with your project and thanks for watching.

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69 responses to “How to Replace a Flush Valve”

  1. Brent says:

    When I flush the toilet water is coming back up through the top of the flush value and the rubber hose. Do I need to replace the flush value?

  2. jonathan warmund says:

    Recently had a plumber replace flush valve on Duravit toilet that entailed removing both toilet and tank from pipe. I watched closely and given the design of tank to toilet, I don’t know whether the flush valve replacement could have been accomplished with the additional labor and cost to install. Is that accurate or did I perhaps pay more for labor than necessary.

  3. Joshua Thompson says:

    Yeah, how the fuck do you do it if your tank and bowl are just one, impossible to separate piece?

  4. […] that you can take on, depending on your level of skill and confidence. Replacing a fill valve or a toilet flush valve is sometimes needed to fix a running toilet, and a toilet that leaks at the base might require […]

  5. Libby says:

    Thank you for this video. I followed the steps provided to dx the problem. The only difference is that the water level in my tank dropped significantly, as if it had been flushed and emptied. Is this a symptom of a greater problem? Please help/advise. BTW, my toilet continually runs to the point that I have to shut off the water supply.

  6. […] Replacing a toilet flush valve is a simple DIY that only takes a few minutes, even for a person with negligible technical skills. An instruction manual and required tools are provided with the bought unit to help aid the replacement process. It’s essential to know the fitting match for your toilet because an incompatible flush valve can get damaged during installation, thereby rendering it useless. Alternatively, you can always hire a handyman or a plumber to fix or replace your toilet valve. […]

    • Marnee Klintworth - Larson says:

      You know your toilet isn’t working properly if it doesn’t flush everything away, if tank doesn’t refill, if tank drains while you are away at work or school,;if it makes gurgling noises all night & then doesn’t flush as it should. Listen for noises that aren’t normal; takes a long time for tank to refill, etc.

      You’ll KNOW when your toilet isn’t working properly – it won’t work – properly. It’s THAT obvious!

  7. You explained everything very well.
    But How do we know if our flush valve is bad?

  8. […] Replacing a toilet flush valve is a simple DIY that only takes a few minutes, even for a person with very basic technical skills. You’ll also receive an instruction manual and the required tools with your purchased valve to ease installation as well.  As long as you know the fitting match for your toilet, you should be good to go. If you don’t select a compatible valve, you could damage the incompatible flush valve in the installation process. Alternatively, you can always hire a handyman or a plumber to fix or replace your tank valve. […]

  9. I’m appreciative of this video. Your information is so clear. To diagnose the issue, I followed the instructions and successfully fixed.

  10. Pete says:

    Please explain the dial on the flapper

  11. Chad C. McCurdy says:

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