Maya Ellison
A faulty toilet fill valve can cause your toilet to run continuously, fill the tank slowly, or leak water. Luckily, the fill valve is easy to replace. Before starting, you need to assess the type of plumbing you have, as this will determine the best approach to replacing the valve. If you live in an older home, you may have iron pipes, which can be more challenging to work with, and it may be best to consult a professional. For newer homes, plastic valves are more common and can be replaced by shutting off the water supply, draining the tank, removing the old valve, and installing the new one.
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of fill valve your toilet has
To identify the type of fill valve your toilet has, you should first open your tank and look inside. The fill valve is usually a device mounted on the left side of the toilet and is typically the tallest item in the tank. It usually has a vaguely cylindrical design that runs from the bottom of the tank to the top. The majority of fill valves are black and grey, but some may have red, white, or blue on them. Modern fill valves are almost always plastic, while older ones are often made of metal.
There are several types of fill valves commonly found in toilets:
Plunger or piston-style fill valves (ballcocks)
These are made of a heavy-duty cast brass body, providing quiet operation. They use a bottom-fill water discharge tube and are designed with a hinged lever assembly above the ballcock, which often uses thumbscrews at some hinged joints to allow adjustment of the lever arm movement. These fill valves work by employing a floating ball attached to a pivoting lever that opens and closes a plunger stem fitted against a water inlet port.
Diaphragm-type ballcock (plastic body)
This type of toilet fill valve is similar to brass plunger-type ballcocks because they also use a float ball. Most newer models of this style are made from plastic, while older models can be made from cast brass with a plastic diaphragm button. Rather than a plunger stem with a washer seal against the water inlet port, it has a diaphragm seal that opens and closes to control water flow.
Float-cup fill valve
This is a popular, easy-to-maintain fill-valve style, identified by a plastic floating O-shaped cup that moves up and down around the fill valve shaft. The floating cup is attached using a metal spring clipped to a metal actuating rod. The water level in the tank is controlled by adjusting where the actuating rod connects to the float cup. It is often the replacement of choice when it comes time to replace an older plunger- or diaphragm-style ballcock unit.
Floatless type fill valve
This style is made of plastic and is a newer innovation in anti-siphon fill valves. These fill valves use a diaphragm pressure-sensing mechanism rather than a floating device to control the inlet valve. These fill valves are usually inexpensive, but the design has been known to have reliability issues.
Pressure-assist valve
This type of valve consists of a tank inside the toilet tank, with two chambers separated by a rubber bladder. One chamber is filled with air, and when the other fills with water, the bladder stretches and compresses the air to pressurize the water. Pressing the flush handle sends pressurized water flowing into the bowl. Unfortunately, you cannot retrofit a gravity-fed toilet with this type of valve.
Tower valve
This type of valve is as easy to service as a flapper valve. The most common maintenance needs are chain adjustment and periodic replacement of the rubber ring on the bottom of the cylinder.
Canister flush valve
This is similar to a tower valve, but with a three- or four-inch drain opening, allowing water to drain much more quickly. This type of valve is common in Kohler toilets.
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Shut off the water supply and drain the tank
Before beginning any work on your toilet's plumbing, it is important to shut off the water supply and drain the tank. This will prevent any water damage from occurring during your work.
First, locate the shutoff valve. This is typically a football-shaped valve located behind the toilet, beneath the tank. It is connected to a pipe or hose that attaches to the bottom of the tank. If you cannot locate a shutoff valve, you may need to shut off the main water supply to your home. The main shutoff valve is usually located in the basement or in an iron box along the side of your home. It will have a wheel-shaped handle or lever that you can turn clockwise to shut off the water.
Once you have located the shutoff valve, turn it clockwise as far as it will go. This will shut off the water supply to the toilet. Test that the water has been shut off by flushing your toilet; if the bowl does not refill with water, you have successfully shut off the water supply.
Now that the water supply is shut off, you can drain the tank. The best way to do this is to flush the toilet and then use a wet vacuum to remove any remaining water from the bottom of the tank. If you don't have a wet vacuum, you can use a sponge, towel, or turkey baster to soak up the water. Alternatively, you can hold the flush lever down to drain as much water as possible, catching the water in a bucket or large cup.
With the water supply shut off and the tank drained, you can now safely proceed with your plumbing work. Remember to turn the water supply back on when you have finished by turning the shutoff valve counterclockwise.
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Remove the old fill valve
Before removing the old fill valve, it is important to shut off the water supply and drain the tank. Turn the shutoff valve, usually located on the wall behind the toilet, clockwise until it stops to shut off the water supply. Then, flush the toilet and hold the lever down to drain as much water as possible. You can also use a wet vacuum, sponge, towel, or turkey baster to remove any remaining water from the tank.
Now, you can begin removing the old fill valve. First, remove the tank lid and set it aside on a towel. Then, locate the toilet fill valve, which is usually found inside the tank, off to one side, and connected to the overflow pipe.
Next, you will need to detach the valve. Loosen the nut on the bottom of the tank under the fill valve by turning it counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench or pliers. Place a plastic bucket or bin under the nut to collect any dripping water. Once the nut is loose, carefully lift the fill valve from the tank. If there is any resistance, check that the valve is completely loose.
Finally, wipe down the interior of the tank with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining water, debris, or stains. This will ensure that the area is clean and dry before installing the new fill valve.
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Install the new fill valve
Before installing a new fill valve, it is important to identify the type of fill valve your toilet currently has. This will help you find the right replacement unit. The four types of toilet fill valves are plunger or piston-style fill valves, diaphragm-type fill valves, float-cup fill valves, and floatless fill valves. Once you have identified the type of fill valve you need, you can purchase a replacement.
Next, shut off the water supply valve and flush the toilet. The water valve is usually located where the water pipe comes out of the wall. You can turn the valve clockwise to shut it off. Drain the tank by flushing the toilet and holding the flush lever down to drain as much water as possible. You can use a bucket or large cup to catch the water.
Now you are ready to install the new fill valve. Here are the steps:
- Adjust the height of the new fill valve to fit in the tank by twisting its base. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for guidance.
- Insert the threaded base of the fill valve through the hole in the bottom of the tank and secure it with a locknut. You can use a wrench or pliers to tighten the locknut and seal the valve.
- Reattach the refill tube and its angle adaptor to the overflow pipe holder. The refill tube is a rubber tube that takes water from the fill valve to the overflow tube. Ensure that the tube is just long enough to reach the overflow tube, and trim it if necessary to avoid any kinks.
- Reconnect the water supply line to seal the flow of water.
- Turn on the water supply valve and let the tank fill.
- Flush the tank and adjust the float as needed to ensure the correct water level.
After completing these steps, your new fill valve should be installed properly, and your toilet should be functioning like new again.
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Turn the water supply back on and check for leaks
After installing your new plastic plumbing valve, it's time to turn the water supply back on and check for leaks.
First, open the water main in your house. Typically, the water main shut-off valve can be found in the basement, but it may also be located in the laundry room, under the kitchen sink, or in a bedroom closet. Once you've located the valve, turn it counterclockwise to loosen it and allow water to begin filling the toilet tank.
As the tank fills, carefully inspect the new valve for any signs of leaks. Pay close attention to the connections and fittings, as this is where leaks are most likely to occur. If you notice any dripping or water escaping, immediately shut off the water supply again and empty the lines.
If you discover a leak, the next step is to address it. Start by unscrewing the valve's compression nut and applying a layer of plumber's tape or putty to the threads of the valve. This will help create a tighter seal and prevent future leaks. Once you've applied the tape or putty, carefully reinstall the valve, making sure to tighten all compression nuts securely.
After making the necessary adjustments, turn the water supply back on and inspect the valve once again. Ensure that all connections are tight and check for any signs of water leakage. If the leak has been successfully repaired, you can rest assured that your toilet is now functioning properly.
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Frequently asked questions
If your toilet is constantly running, filling the tank slowly, or leaking water, you may need to replace the fill valve.
First, turn off the water supply valve and flush the toilet. Find the water valve behind and below the toilet tank and turn it clockwise. You should also turn off your main water valve.
Drain the tank by flushing the toilet. Hold the flush lever down to drain as much water as possible. You can also use a wet vacuum to remove the remaining water.
Loosen and remove the nut that holds the bottom flange of the valve to the toilet tank. You can use adjustable pliers or a wrench for this. Then, slowly lift the valve out of the tank.
Place the new valve into the tank and tighten the locknut with a wrench or pliers. Reconnect the water supply line and turn on the water supply. Check for leaks and tighten any leaking connections.
