How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet and Replace the Ballcock
Excess water in a toilet tank normally is siphoned off by the overflow tube. But if your toilet's ballcock, or fill valve assembly, malfunctions, the toilet might fill faster than the overflow tube can handle it. The best way to fix an overflowing toilet is replacing the ballcock. The procedure isn't difficult, requires no special tools and can be completed in less than an hour. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Cup-sized container
- Towels
- Sponge
- Pliers
- Silicone grease
- Pipe-thread compound
Instructions
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1
Locate the water-supply valve for the toilet -- in most cases, it is on the wall behind the toilet bowl. Turn the oval or round knob at the end of the valve clockwise to shut off the water supply.
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2
Remove the toilet tank lid and set it aside. On a dual-flush toilet, you must unscrew the flush button on top of the lid before you can remove the lid.
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3
Flush the toilet. Press down the handle on the outside of the tank or depress the buttons on top of the flush siphon in the middle of the tank on a dual-flush toilet. Bail out any remaining water in the tank with a cup-sized container and pour it in the toilet bowl or a sink. Wipe up excess water with the sponge and towel.
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4
Place a towel on the floor under the tank. Loosen the coupling that connects the water-supply hose to the tank, using the pliers. Loosen the retaining nut for the ballcock, which is located just above the tank inlet. Pull the ballcock assembly out of the tank.
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5
Turn the new fill valve over so that you are looking at the rubber gasket at the bottom. Coat the bottom of the gasket with silicone grease.
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6
Turn the valve right side up. Insert it into the tank so the gasket assembly fits tightly into the opening at the bottom of the tank. Hold this in place with one hand. Thread the retaining ring on the underside of the inlet assembly, using your other hand, until it is flush with the bottom of the toilet.
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7
Apply pipe-thread compound to the threads on the valve inlet. Attach the water-supply hose to the inlet and tighten it.
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8
Open the water-supply valve by turning it counterclockwise. Allow the tank to fill.
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9
Flush the toilet and check for leaks. Tighten the retaining nut or water-supply coupling if necessary. Adjust the water level on the ballcock, if necessary, following the manufacturer's instructions. Replace the tank lid.
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Tips & Warnings
When replacing the ballcock, purchase one that has an integrated float assembly. These are much easier to adjust than the older ball-float-and-rod ballcock valve assemblies and also are more efficient. You should also purchase one that has antisiphon technology.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
