How to Repair a Toilet

Learn how to repair a toilet; watch a video of basic troubleshooting advice and demonstration of how to make simple repairs to a leaky toilet.

Water can be difficult to live with. It sometimes runs when you don't want it to, and then it won't run right when you do want it to. Ron was having difficulty with running water in his own toilet and invited us in to see his repair. Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project. Click here to view a full video of this segment.

1. Determine the problem When you push the toilet's flush lever, an arm, which is attached to a chain, lifts up the flapper valve on the bottom of the tank. When the flapper valve opens, all of the water that was in the tank flows into the toilet bowl. That is what creates the flush. If your toilet continues to run, it is probably because the seal between the flapper and this seat is faulty. Dirt or corrosion can build up on the flapper overtime and create a leak. When water is leaking into the bowl, the tank level will slowly get to a low point, and the valve will then turn on and refill the tank. The result is an annoying sound and a big waste of water.

To confirm that this is the problem, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If water is leaking through the valve, then you will see the food coloring showing up in the toilet bowl.

2. Disassemble toilet tank It is possible to replace the flapper valve, but it's usually better to rebuild the whole tank works. It doesn't take very long, and the parts are inexpensive. The first step is to turn off the water supply to the tank. Then, place a bucket under the water supply line and disconnect it from the bottom of the tank. There's always a small amount of residual of water in the tank and the best way to get it all out is with a sponge and a bucket.

The tank is held onto the toilet base with three bolts. You can see the heads on them inside the toilet tank. Remove these bolts and then lift the tank off the toilet.

Next, remove the large nut that holds the flapper valve assembly. Remove the assembly and then take the gasket off the bottom of the tank.

Finally remove the flush valve. In a matter of 10 or 15 minutes, you should be able to strip everything off the tank.

3. Rebuild Insert the new flapper valve down into the tank and screw it into place on the bottom of the tank.

Next, slip a new gasket over the large nut and then install the bolts, nuts and washers that secure the tank to the bowl.

Drop in a new flush valve through the hole in the bottom of the tank. The flush valve is held in place with a nylon nut. The nut should be snug, but be careful not to over tighten it.

The tank should be ready to set back in place. Align the three bolts with the tank and the base. The tank is attached to the bowl by slipping rubber metal washers over the three bolts that were installed earlier. Screw on wing nuts and finally reattach the water line, and turn on the valve.

And then just hit the lever. You should get a perfect flush every time.