How to Install a Floater for a Toilet

The floater in a toilet's flushing mechanism is the part that tells the valve when the tank is full and when it should turn off. Problems with floaters can often result in continuous water running or even overflow problems. Luckily, replacing the floater is incredibly easy and can be done in a short amount of time with no special equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Plumbing wrench

Instructions

1. Turn off the water to the toilet. The valve should be found near the ground or wall where the pipe connects to the toilet. Then flush the toilet so that the tank is empty.

2. Find the nut that attaches the floating mechanism, the large standing column to which the ball is attached. Unscrew the nut with a plumbing wrench. Note that in some systems, this column is connected to the flapper, which allows water to flush into the toilet. In most, however, the column stands by itself to one side of the tank. Make sure that you have purchased the correct type of replacement mechanism, either with or without the flapper.

3. Insert the new column into the hole where the old one was. Fasten the nut on the bottom of the tank and open the water valve. Check to be sure that the tank does not leak at this connection.

4. Allow the tank to fill with water normally. If the water stops before starting to drain into the top of the column, an overflow safety mechanism, then you have finished. However, if water continues to run, you will need to adjust the floater.

5. Adjust the floater by raising or lowering the setting at the hinge of the bar that holds the rubber ball. You should see a small switch that will hold the bar higher or lower in the tank. To stop an overflow problem, set the ball to rest lower in the tank. This will cause the water to shut off sooner than it had been.

6. Flush your toilet, and test to see that the tank fills adequately without causing water to drain into the overflow column.

Tips & Warnings

• Some flapper-floater mechanisms can be replaced separately, even if they seem to be connected. Look at the replacement parts available to see if you need to replace the entire system or just the floater's support column.

• Always turn off the water before attempting to repair a toilet.