HOW TO FIX A TOILET FLUSH
STEP BY STEP GUIDE

If, like many people around the world, you have experienced a broken or leaking flush valve, then you might wonder what the next step could be. The most common sign is hearing your toilet continually running, but thankfully it’s fairly easy to replace a toilet flusher with the right tools and knowledge. Of course, it’s always best to hire a professional plumber to sort out the issue if your toilet tank still isn’t functioning, but this guide will provide you with the basics for how to fix a toilet flush.

FIRST STEPS FOR HOW TO FIX A TOILET FLUSHER

To fix a toilet flush properly, it’s a good idea to identify the necessary parts that make up a toilet tank:

  • Flush valve: The tool that sits inside the toilet tank that controls the refilling of the tank after it flushes. It is attached to a source of water like a hose or a small pipe that connects to the toilet tank at the bottom.
  • Ball float: This is a plastic ball that adjusts the level of water.
  • Flush valve seat: This is the gap at the bottom of the tank.
  • Flapper: The flapper is basically a flat, circular device that covers the flush valve seat.
  • Flush lever: A lever that is joined to the lift rod from the exterior of the tank.
  • Overflow pipe: A straight pipe that sits vertically in the middle of the tank.
  • Refill valve: A part that regulates the opening and closing of the water flow when the flush is activated.

Generally, two types of flush valves exist in toilet tanks: Contemporary options with a tubular float that travels down and up a shaft in a vertical manner, and older varieties with a tank ball float attached to the tip of a metal rod.

If the time has come for you to learn how to fix a toilet flush, it’s likely because of these reasons:

  • Broken flush valve
  • Flush valve not sealing correctly
  • Worn out flapper

FIXING THE TOILET FLUSH VALVE

If the main issue with your toilet is a broken flush valve, you’ll have to buy a new one. Take the damaged one to a hardware store to ensure you can switch it for an identical model. It’s important that the brand new model comes with a vacuum breaker, which helps prevent the water supply from becoming tainted.

Grab a wrench, flat-blade screwdriver, and a dry towel or sponge and then it’s time to fix your toilet flush. This guide is for a one-piece flush valve with a float and flapper incorporated into the design, which is the most common.

  • Step One: Switch off the water supply. This is usually done by turning a dial on the wall, often found behind the toilet or near the tank on a metal pipe built into the floor. If you can’t find a dial in either of these places, it might be best to contact a professional plumber. You can turn the dial with your hand or an adjustable wrench if it’s particularly tight. Turn it clockwise and wait for the water in the tank to stop running before trying to replace a toilet flusher.
  • Step Two: Flushing and removing surplus water. You’ll need to flush out the water left in the toilet tank. With the water supply being switched off, it won’t refill again. Grab a sponge or old towel to mop up any remaining water left in the tank.
  • Step Three: Begin unscrewing the flush valve. Detach the two rubber bolts next to the sides of the flush valve with a screwdriver. Remember to grip the nuts underneath the tank using a wrench when you loosen the bolts.
  • Step Four: Change the flush valve. Now comes the vital part of how to fix a toilet flusher. Remove the old flush valve and put the new model into the opening of the tank, but make sure the overflow pipe is now in the direction of the flush valve. When ready, grip the valve and push into the opening until you hear a click.
  • Step Five: Turning on the supply of water again. It’s time to reconnect the water supply by turning the dial on the wall. When the tank begins to fill, you can regulate the water level and begin checking for any leaks. Some nuts may need tightening.

It could happen that there are other possible reasons why you might need to fix the toilet flush, with the most likely cause being that the flapper inside the toilet tank is either worn out or broken, in which case you’ll have to remove this from the overflow tube and then separate the chain from the handle arm. Fasten the new flapper to the tube and then attach the chain again onto the handle arm. In the future, it’s also worth considering the elegant GROHE Bau Ceramic standing WC for a classic toilet design, or even the bundle solution of the GROHE Solido Compact 5-in-1 set for convenient installation.