How to Install New Plumbing Lines for a Toliet
For all the use they receive on a daily basis and how durable they are, toilets are relatively easy fixtures to work on, particularly when all you need to do is replace a failing supply line. These quarter-inch tubing supply lines are easy to access, and easy to manipulate. They may even be replaced with flexible line when appearance isn't an issue or a quick solution is needed, although affixing a standard, rigid line is not much more difficult. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Replacement quarter-inch tubing or flexible supply line with quarter-inch attachments
- Crescent wrench
- Channel locks
- Plumber's tape
- Tube cutter
- Tube bender
Instructions
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1
Shut off the water supply. Most toilets are equipped with shut-off valves at the wall so you won't need to shut off the entire house's water at the main shutoff.
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2
Flush the toilet to empty the tank of water. If the water is turned off, it will not refill.
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3
Using a crescent wrench, unscrew the nut that connects the supply line to the water supply on the wall.
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4
Gripping the water supply nut inside the tank with a crescent wrench, loosen the nut on the outside of the toilet using channel locks. Once the nut is loose enough to turn by hand, use your fingers to avoid damaging the nut.
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5
Remove the old supply line. If you're replacing it with flexible tubing, skip to Step 7.
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6
Using the old supply line as a template, cut the replacement line with a tube cutter to the proper length. Use a tube bender to form the line.
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7
Attach the replacement line to the toilet. Wrap its end with plumber's tape to ensure a watertight seal, and, using the crescent wrench and channel locks as in Step 4, tighten the nuts.
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8
Attach the line to the water supply, using plumber's tape and a crescent wrench to tighten the nut.
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9
Turn on the water and check for leaks. Tighten joints further if leaking.
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Tips & Warnings
Be prepared with a small bucket or sponge to catch the water in the supply line when you disconnect it from the water supply.
References
- Photo Credit toilet bowl painting Gzhel image by Vasily Smirnov from Fotolia.com
