How Should a Toilet Valve Be Set?

Getting Started

• The process begins with shutting off the water to the toilet at the shutoff valve located on the wall behind the toilet. If you install a new toilet, you don't need to remove any old parts or drain the toilet. Replacing an old flush valve, however, requires flushing the toilet to drain the tank and then removing the old components. Use a wrench to remove the bolts inside the tank and to disconnect the supply line outside the tank.

Removing the Tank

• If the project's goal is to replace a flush valve rather than to install a new toilet, then lifting the tank off the toilet base and turning the tank upside down is necessary. Pull off the large spud washer from the base to expose the end of the old flush valve. A large nut, called a spud nut, is on the bottom of the tank and needs to be removed; using a spud wrench or channel-type pliers helps with that task. Turn the tank over, and pull out the old flush valve.

Installing the New Valve

• A new flush valve comes with a beveled cone washer. The washer goes onto the threaded end piece of the flush valve so the narrow end of the bevel faces the end of the valve. With the tank turned upright, insert the flush valve, end piece down, into the large hole in the center of the tank. The valve needs to sit so that its upward tube of faces the ballcock, which is the metal tube in the back corner of the tank and to which the supply line connects. The washer should sit flat between the valve and the base of the tank.

Finishing the Project

• After the toilet tank is turned over, the end piece of the valve sticks out the base. Attaching a new spud nut to the end piece of the valve holds the valve in place. Slip the spud washer back over the valve's end piece. At that point, the toilet tank can be turned upright and placed on the toilet base. Installing bolts holds it in place. Reconnecting the supply line and installing any other components is completed before turning on the water supply to the toilet.