How to Remove a Toilet Flush Valve

The toilet flush valve is located in the tank that sits behind the toilet bowl. It is relied on for flushing the waste from the bowl, which empties the tank. If the flush valve isn't working properly, water can continue to run without filling up the tank and the bowl will not flush fully since it will only have a little water in it. The flush valve can take up to 30 minutes to remove.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New toilet flush valve
• Dry sponge
• Scrub pad (optional)

1. Turn off the water to the toilet. The water valve is located below the toilet tank and behind the toilet. Turn the valve counterclockwise. Flush the toilet to remove the water out of the tank and remove the tank lid. Use a dry sponge to wipe out as much water as possible from within the tank.

2. Disconnect the chain connected to the flapper. Slip the chain out of the connection of the arm that is connected to the handle that flushes the toilet.

3. Remove the flush valve from its seat. The flush valve is connected to the overflow tube (on the right side of the toilet tank) and sits on a valve seat. It can either be removed by lifting it out of the clips that hold it on each side of the tube or lifting up the overflow tube.

4. Replace the flush valve with new valve. Either snap it into place into its clips on the sides of the overflow tube or slide it down the tube. Make sure the flush valve sits properly over the valve seat covering the hole.

5. Re-connect the chain from the flapper to the arm and replace the lid. Turn the water back on and try flushing the toilet to test if the chain is connected properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Once a tank is cleared of water, try cleaning out the tank by scrubbing it with a coarse pad that can clean off any debris on the walls.

Resources

• Flush valves