
How to Fix a Leaky Fill Valve in a Toilet
- Turn off the water supply. You can find the supply valve behind your toilet. ...
- Empty the tank. Water will leak around the valve if the tank is full. ...
- Disconnect the water supply hose. ...
- Unscrew the fill valve’s nut to remove it. ...
- Buy a replacement fill valve. ...
- Slide the rubber gasket on the new valve. ...
- Screw the new valve into your toilet. ...
How do you unclog a fill valve in toilet tank?
How to Repair a Clogged Toilet Float Valve
- Turn off the shut-off valve under the tank. Flush the toilet and hold down the handle to drain as much water from the tank as possible.
- Remove the cap from the fill valve, which is the tube to which the float is attached. ...
- Turn on the shut-off valve until a small amount of water begins to flow from the fill valve. ...
How do you fix a leaking toilet valve?
Replacing the Packing Material
- Turn off the Water. Ensure you turn it off from the meter box.
- Drain the Lines. Drain all the water in the line by turning on the tap in your home.
- Eliminate the Handle. Go ahead and discard the handle of the shutoff valve.
- Discard the Old Nut. ...
- Wrap a New Packing. ...
- Fasten the Packing Nut. ...
- Confirm If the Valve Still Leaks. ...
How to repair a leaking toilet?
Shut off the water at the valve and drain the water from the toilet tank. Use a plunger to force out any water that remains in the bowl. Alternately, fill a five-gallon bucket with water then pour a steady stream down the bowl from between 12 and 18 inches above the opening. This will also force the water out. Dry out the bowl completely.
How to repair a toilet with a second flush?
How to Repair a Toilet With a Second Flush
- Open the tank and inspect the water level. To prevent double-flushing, you should reduce this level by an inch or more.
- Unscrew the ball on the end of the float arm to make the arm longer, if you have a valve with a ball-float.
- Lift the flapper momentarily by pulling the chain so that the tank partially drains. ...

How do you fix a toilet fill valve that keeps running?
2:464:34Fix a Toilet Fill Valve That Keeps Running - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClean out any debris that is inside of the float. Clean the rubber pad on the float. If this isn'tMoreClean out any debris that is inside of the float. Clean the rubber pad on the float. If this isn't mating properly with the top of the valve.
How do you take apart a fill valve?
0:001:23Toilet Repair Tips : How to Fix the Refill Valve for a Toilet TankYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne you'll want to turn the water off flush. The toilet. This one has a little arm that comes up andMoreOne you'll want to turn the water off flush. The toilet. This one has a little arm that comes up and the top will pop. Off.
How do you know if your fill valve is broken?
You can spot a faulty fill valve by listening closely to strange sounds that might be coming from your toilet. The sound of water constantly running through the tank can indicate fill valve problems. Place a few drops of food coloring into the tank and watch to see if the colored water leaks out into the bowl.
Is it easy to replace a toilet fill valve?
However, the good news is that replacing your toilet fill valve is something any homeowner can do. It does not take a lot of experience with plumbing or a lot of time. However, you do need a few parts, a couple of tools, and a little bit of effort.
Can you clean a toilet fill valve?
If the outside of the fill valve has calcium and mineral build-up; clean the valve by using vinegar and an old tooth brush to dissolve and break off the build-up on the surfaces of the fill valve. Then wash valve with warm soapy water and then rinse with fresh water.
What causes sticky valves to stick?
0:281:23How to Fix a Toilet - Diagnostics - Fill Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen water constantly drains into the overflow - of the tank.MoreWhen water constantly drains into the overflow - of the tank.
How often do toilet fill valves need to be replaced?
about 5 yearsToilet fill valves last about 5 years and sometimes longer depending on the quality of the valve, how often the toilet is flushed, and whether the home has hard water. However, like any valve that's constantly exposed to water, a fill valve can eventually clog or begin to leak.
Why does a toilet fill valve fail?
A misadjusted float is the most common cause for a fill valve that doesn't shut off all the way. Before you try unscrewing the ball to lengthen the float arm, adjusting the rod length on a cup float or adjusting the valve tension with a screwdriver, hold the float up as far as it will go.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet fill valve?
Cost of Replacement PartsPartPriceDIY Project TimeFill Valve$8 - $301 - 2 hoursShut Off Valve$5 - $351 - 2 hoursBowl Flush Valve$20 - $30½ - 2 hoursFlapper$5 - $1020 - 30 minutes
Are toilet fill valves universal?
There are several different types of fill valves commonly found in toilets, and you will need to be able to identify your type in order to make adjustments or replacements to yours. Some types of fill valves use older technologies and are best replaced with a newer type when repairs are called for.
How to get water flowing again after replacing fill valve?
Once the replacement fill valve is in place, it's time to get the water flowing again. Attach the supply line to the bottom of the new fill valve. Make sure that there is a washer inside the end of the supply line and tighten it with a wrench until it’s tight.
Where is the lock nut on a toilet fill valve?
When you have the toilet fill valve in place, the final part of its installation is to tighten a lock nut onto the threaded part of the valve. This is located on the underside of the tank. When doing this, it is important not to tighten the nut too hard.
What is the float on a toilet?
In newer toilets, it is the entire plastic column that includes the float and the on-off lever for filling. In older toilets, the float is a separate piece but it will be connected to the top of the fill valve. The fill valve also has a tube attached to it that connects to the overflow pipe.
Where is the water valve located on a toilet?
You should have a water valve directly below the toilet tank. It should be located between where the water pipe comes out of the wall and where it attaches to the bottom of the toilet tank . In most cases, you will turn the water shutoff valve clockwise to turn it off.
Can a toilet valve be faulty?
A faulty toilet fill valve can cause your toilet to run all the time or otherwise malfunction. However, the good news is that replacing your toilet fill valve is something any homeowner can do. It does not take a lot of experience with plumbing or a lot of time. However, you do need a few parts, a couple of tools, and a little bit of effort.
Where is the shut off valve on a toilet?
Locate the shutoff valve that controls the water supply to the toilet. The valve is usually located on the wall below the toilet tank and has a small handle. The valve will be connected to a water supply tube leading to the bottom of the toilet tank.
How to clean calcium build up on valve?
Clean the valve of calcium or mineral build-up by dissolving it with vinegar applied with an old toothbrush. After the surface is clean, wash the valve with warm soapy water, then rinse.
How to unblock a fill valve?
To unblock fill valve clogs, you need to first identify the actual location and type of blockage. You can easily identify the area of blockage as it’s a small setup. You then open the valve up and simply poke out the blockage.
What is a fill valve?
The fill valve of your toilet combines with the flush valve to ensure your toilet always has enough water to flush and keep everything clean. The fill valve setup is a pretty simple one even when there are various types with different approaches on how to keep the toilet tank full. No matter what type of fill valve you have, ...
Why does my toilet keep running?
Constant Running of Water. When the flapper of the fill valve is faulty, you could hear the water filling the toilet tank continuously. The problem is that it can’t completely close the outlet to the toilet bowl. As such, the water keeps flowing from the tank to the bowl with the inlet remaining open to maintain a certain level.
Why does my toilet tank overflow?
Too much or too little Water in the Toilet Tank. If your toilet tank holds too little water (not enough to clear wastes in one flush) or too much that it overflows, the cause is that the fill valve has been poorly adjusted and needs readjusting. The type of toilet fill valve determines the solution to this issue.
Why won't my toilet fill up?
It can be due to a stuck brass rod, punctured float ball, or a poorly adjusted float mechanism.
Why does my water tank fill valve leak?
Leaks. Fill valves tend to leak when there’s an issue preventing them from closing the water inlets and outlets completely. For example, the clogs previously mentioned may make it impossible for the fill valve to be completely closed. As such, water keeps on flowing into the tank and consequently into the bowl.
Why is there so little water in my toilet?
At times, the reason for having too little water in the toilet tank may be a punctured floater ball which will require replacement. When adjusting these levels, keep an eye on the recommended water levels marked inside the tank to prevent having too little or too much water in it.
What is the fill valve in a toilet?
A fill valve, also known as an inlet valve, is the tall plastic piece inside of your toilet’s tank. It pulls water from the supply line into the tank and uses a ball float or line to automatically cut the water off when it gets to a certain level. How you adjust a fill valve depends on what type of fill valve you have.
How to tell if toilet water line is working?
If there isn’t a water line indicator on the valve and the toilet was working well before, look at the walls on the inside of the tank. You’ll see calcium buildup and water stains where the water normally sits. If the water level is below or over that line, it needs to be adjusted.
What is the ballcock valve called?
There are 2 different types of fill valves. Older tanks have a rubber ball, called a ballcock, that floats on the top of the water. When water fills the tank, the ball raises until it shuts the water off by sliding a cover over the valve.
How to change water level on a tank?
1. Turn the dial on top of the fill valve if you have a newer model. Take the cover of the tank off and inspect the top of your fill valve for a dial or switch. If the water level is too high, turn the dial to the right 1-2 rotations. If the water level is too low, turn the dial to the left 1-2 rotations.
How to check if water is too high?
1. Open your tank and compare the water level to the fill valve. Most tanks have a water level line on the flush valve—the pipe next to the fill valve where water flows out if it gets too high. Compare the water level with the line on the flush valve to see if the water is too high or low.

Step 1 - Diagnose The Problem
Step 2 - Adjust The Water Level
- If you determine that you have a problem with your toilet fill valve, you should try adjusting the water level before you try anything else. This is a relatively simple procedure, though the actual procedure will vary depending on the kind of fill valve you have. First open up your toilet. Set a towel on the ground. Then remove the top of the tank ...
Step 3 - Finish Up
- Lowering the water level should stop your toilet from using more water than necessary. Close up your toilet tank and make sure to put everything back where it came from. Give the toilet a test flush. If everything works properly, your problem is fixed. However, if your toilet is still using water when it is not active, you may need to call a professional, as you may have a leak.