Home Improvement and DIY
Check the cause, choose a compatible valve, and install it safely.
A toilet that refills every few minutes may have a worn fill valve, but a leaking flapper can cause the same problem. Check the cause before replacing parts.
Shut off the supply and watch the tank: water still entering can point to a faulty fill valve. If the tank loses water with the supply off, inspect the flapper or flush-valve seal.
Check the toilet’s make and model, the valve connection, and the space inside the tank. “Universal” does not guarantee a fit; compare the toilet parts list with the valve instructions.
Gather an adjustable wrench, sponge or small cup, towel, and replacement valve. Turn the shutoff clockwise by hand, flush once, then sponge the remaining water into a bucket.
Disconnect the supply line over a towel or bucket, then remove the old valve and fit the replacement as directed. Most standard valves can be changed without lifting the tank.
Adjust the float or screw according to the valve instructions. Refill the tank and keep the water at the marked level, or the maker’s specified level, below the overflow tube.
Turn the supply on slowly and inspect the valve shank, supply connection, and tank floor. Flush several times, listen for the valve to stop, and recheck the level after refilling.
Do not force a stuck shutoff valve or work on a cracked tank connection. Stop if a fitting keeps leaking and you cannot isolate it safely; call a plumber to prevent water damage.
Usually, the tank can stay in place. Match the replacement to the toilet and check the flapper first; if the shutoff will not turn by hand, stop rather than forcing it.
A washer usually seals the fill-valve shank, so plumber’s tape is not normally needed there. Mineral deposits can affect valve parts; follow the maker’s maintenance guidance.
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