How to Replace Toilet Tank Parts

So, it’s time for you to do what nature calls you to do. Then you make a visit to your toilet only for you to realize that your toilet isn’t flushing properly. Then you begin to wonder; what could be wrong? Could it be that the flapper valve is worn out or the fill valve is faulty? Whatever the reason may be, you’ll need to learn how to replace your toilet tank parts.

Toilets are the most used part of our home and it performs thousand of flushing cycles. But with so many cycles of flush and with the way water sits inside the tank for long, the components can get worn out over time.

So, as time progresses, the components in the toilet tank such as the metals can become corroded. The parts made with rubber can deteriorate. Even the plastic parts in the toilet can break. So, let’s delve into how to replace toilet tank parts.

Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Toilet Tank Parts

Even though toilets are made to last for a long time, the components inside the tank can still wear out as time elapses.

Learn to replace your toilet tank parts once in a while so you wouldn’t want to find yourself in an unpleasant situation where your toilet becomes incapacitated unannounced. So, this is why we recommend you replace your toilet tank parts once in a while.

Also, if your toilet is faulty and you’re thinking of replacing the entire toilet, you may not need to get a new toilet. Only the tank components may require replacement for it to work efficiently and this will save you some money.

But before we look into how to replace your toilet tank parts, let’s first get accustomed to the components inside your tank and their functions.

Components of Toilet Tank You Should Get Accustomed to

So, we have established that toilet tank parts can wear down over the years and give toilet problem. These common parts that tend to wear down as time goes on are the fill valve, flapper valve, flush valve, overflow tubes, toilet float, and so on.

Fill valves

The toilet tank part that deals with refilling the tank once a flush cycle has been completed is the fill valve. The water supply pipe that is at the base of your tank is connected to this fill valve. The fill valve is made up of mechanical components that feature a tube assembly.

You can spot your tank fill valve by looking into your tank and you’ll see a tube linked to your tank’s float or ball depending on the type of toilet design you have.

It’s safe to say the fill valve is one of the most essential parts in the toilet and once it becomes faulty, you’ll have problems with your toilet. Once your toilet is making a noisy sound or slowly and continuously running or filling water in your tank, you might want to check out the fill valve.

Flapper valve

Here’s another tank part that can be found inside your toilet tank part. The flapper valve is made out of rubber and you can find the flapper valve at the base of the toilet tank.

So, what’s the function of this flapper valve? Its role is to always ensure the water does not drain out of the tank unless the flush lever is activated. Therefore, once you pull down the flush lever, the flapper valve opens up to allow water to drain down the toilet bowl so flushing can occur.

Also, this same toilet flapper valve enables water to flow into the tank because it seals the tank at the bottom and prevents it from draining so the tank can fill up for the next flush cycle.

Now, for houses where the toilets are old, there is a possibility that the flapper valve has worn out. Therefore, if the flush valve is damaged, it won’t seal the base opening of the tank. Hence, water tends to drain continuously down the bowl and this issue can make you incur unnecessary bills.

The good news is that this faulty flapper valve can be remedied once you replace the assembly.

Toilet float

Again, we have the toilet float as another tank component. These toilet float designs have been changed as the world is modernizing. An old toilet float design has this plastic ball while the new design usually comes in a plastic cup. These two types of designs all work in the same manner.

Sometimes your toilet float ball may just require adjustments for it to perform the right function. However, when the toilet float ball is waterlogged and not floating as it should, it will need replacement.

Overflow tubes

We also have the overflow tube that helps in filling up the toilet tank. The tube is responsible for the transportation of excess water from the tank toilet into the bowl. And this tube also prevents water overflow.

When there is excess water in the tank, the overflow tube moves this excess water down to the bowl; hence, preventing overflow.

You can find these overflow tubes right in the middle of the tank and these tubes are linked to the toilet flush.

Flush lever

We also have the flush lever also referred to as the flush handle and this is at the outer toilet part of the tank. But the flush lever has a detailed connection with the inner tank which enables the tank to flush effectively.

This flush handle or toilet handle is linked to the lift arm found inside the tank. And this arm is linked to a chain that connects the flush valve.

Your toilet handle may become corroded or get broken and when this happens, it will need to be changed.

Steps on How to Replace Toilet Tank Parts

It’s easy for you to change the parts inside your toilet and we will teach you how to do this. To change your toilet tank parts, you’ll need to purchase the components of the tanks. It’s either you separately buy the toilet components or you buy the packed components together inside a repair kit.

Also, you’ll need some materials for this replacement process. Below we’ve listed the materials you’ll need for changing your toilet tank parts.

Materials you’ll need for working

•  Adjustable open-end wrench

• Towel
• Sponge
•  Flat-end screwdriver

•  Pipe wrench

Replacement material components 

•  Overflow tube and flush valve
• Fill valve
• Fill valve gasket
• Tank bolts
• Tank bolt gasket
• Tank-to-bowl gasket
• Tank bowl gaskets
• Flush lever or flush handle 

The Procedure on How to Replace Tank Parts

Step 1

The very first step to replacing your toilet tank part is to put off the water valve and remove the water supply line and drain excess water from the tank. In order to keep the lid from breaking, carefully put the lid on the towel.  Then use your sponge to catch any leftover water and squeeze them out.

Step 2

Next, loosen up the fill valve line to the tank and you’ll find a nut. You’ll need to also loosen this nut and you can do this with the help of an adjustable wrench. Then continue to turn the nut in a counterclockwise direction and release the fill valve.

Step 3

So, get your flat-end screwdriver to loosen the bolt in the tank bottom to fully release the tank. Gently lay the tank on a towel and take out the bolts. Now, you should be able to take out the rest of the toilet tank parts.

Step 4

Now, it’s time to fix the new toilet tank components. To the new flush valve, slide it into the big hole beneath the tank. Then use the new big nut to seal the base protruding flush valve part beneath the tank and put the tank gasket on. Also, put the new bolts in the base of the tank and tighten it.

Step 5

Next, get your fill valve and adjust the valve to the appropriate level. Slide the fill valve into the corresponding tank hole and seal it with the nut at the base.

Then lift the tank and align it with the toilet seat bowl and put the metal washer and the nut to tighten and seal the tank to the bowl.  You can now re-attach the water supply line to the fill valve and use an adjustable wrench to tighten it.

Step 6

Next, you’ll need to link up the tube that goes to the fill valve and the flush valve. Then take the toilet chain and hock it up from the flush handle right to the flapper. But make sure to hock the chain in the right length and the right spot. The toilet chain must not be too tight or too loose for the assembly to work effectively.

Step 7

Once you’ve set them, move on and turn on the water supply and allow water to fill up the tank. Test what you’ve set up by flushing the toilet and check for any leaks. Once everything is set and you’ve confirmed that there’s no issue, cover the lid and your toilet should be good to go.