I have already replaced the fill valve and flappers on a couple of 12 yr old toilets. We have a small stream of water that runs down the back of the toilet from the flush valve and the plumber is quoting $400 to fix it. That sounds ridiculous but my PHD in toilet repair only goes so far at the moment. Is this something I can reasonably consider doing myself? He also tried to get me to get a new toilet hah! no way pal... this is an old toilet and its not one of these new flush em 16 times to make something go down! Hope got all the terminologies correct.
2006-12-12 08:28:17 · 8 answers · asked by amittai 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Well lets see here.. When you flush, the toliet, the water from the tank goes past the flapper and into the bowl spinning the waste away on the FIRST flush LOL. OK if the leak is from the tank water into the bowl, then Lowes or your local home supply store has a tank to bowl seal kit. It comes with the new tank to bowl bolts, washers, nuts and a foam rubber seal. I always have trouble with the old bolts and I have had to carefully cut the brass bolts with a hack saw blade or dremel tool with a cut off wheel (works best). Once the bolts are loose carefully take off the tank and remove the old rubber seal. Inspect the tube for any cracks or rotting, and if it is damaged you can get a new one of those to, probably plastic, but will work well. Now that you are ready for the new rubber seal an old plumber told me to use the pipe dope (the Rectorseal with teflon is what I use), apply the sealant to both sides of the foam rubber gasket, place it on the tank and carefully place the tank back on the bowl. Using the new bolts, place the rubber washers on the brass bolts and coating the pipe dope on both sides of these washers as well, place the bolt thru the tank into the bowl holes, apply the metal washers and then place the nuts and tighten. Be carefull here, and do not overtighten these blots as you will break the bowl and or tank and you will need a new toliet. It is not neccesary to have these tight, just enough that they do not leak, and when you set back, there is not too much pressure that you crack or break something. See how it is before you start. The new gasket may not be exactly as the old one, use your best judgement here.
Good Luck!
2006-12-12 09:08:42 · answer #1 · answered by David S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you get a modern fill valve you can put it in yourself within 10 minutes. That $400 sounds like a rip off.
The very obvious directions are on the package. You need a wrench to take off the old one after you shut off the water and flush the tank to empty it.
But maybe you need a simple repair instead of a replacement. I am not sure where you said that water is coming from. If it is coming from the top of the flush valve there should be a little plastic tube going from there into the vertical standpipe that leads into the toilet. If that tube is not aimed into the standpipe or if the water level is set too high then water will constantly flow. Check that before you do anything else. Take off the tank cover and flush the toilet so you can watch it refill. If the water doesn't try to shut off before the level in the tank is higher than the top of the standpipe that will be obvious and easy to adjust for. If the little tube is not pointing into the standpipe that will be easy to correct. If the water keep coming in after the level is high enough then the shutoff valve in the filler is worn out. You can get the replacement for the entire fill valve for about $6.
2006-12-12 13:16:09 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to stay in a house with particularly not undemanding water and had some comparable issues. After changing the valves some cases, i began doing a splash preventative upkeep each 3-6 months: For the flapper valve, i might clean it with some vinegar and an old toothbrush to get rid of any not undemanding water deposits. For the fill valve, i might turn the water off and disassemble the valve. Mine had a filter out exhibit that could desire to often be full of mineral deposits. i might flush that and the valve, and then rinse it in some extra vinegar. finally, with each thing reassembled and the tank refilling, i might unload a quart of vinegar into the tank and permit it take a seat in one day. This recurring appeared to maintain each thing working.
2016-12-11 07:51:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea David is right. It's a tank to bowl gasket, if your having water leak outside the bowl from the tank. But I would like to say that a decent 1.6 gallon stool can out perform a 3.5 gal. Choose Kohler when it comes to anything porcelain. Or anything plumbing for that matter. The trapways of older stools can collect water deposits. This would make the trapway not only rough, but it will also restrict flow and create turbulence. Thus toilets do wear out.
Lates.
2006-12-12 11:01:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fluidmaster W43C instructions in english and spanish- complete kit Flapper and Fill Valve 5 year warranty
2006-12-12 13:42:55 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not Hard at all. Just empty Tank Remove 2 nuts on bottom of tank lift it off take rubber gasket off remove nut that holds flush valve in tank and install new one.
2006-12-12 23:43:56 · answer #6 · answered by bob r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pat, David on the back, He kn owes what he is talking about,
WoW, 400 bucks what turnip wagon did that plumber come over on. He would rip his mother off
2006-12-12 10:07:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just rebuild the tank vaves most likely the parts that have been replaced are not compatable to the older system
2006-12-12 08:37:09 · answer #8 · answered by scokeman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋