Toilet Tank Fill Valve Replacement – How to Replace a Toilet Tank Fill Valve

When any one of these types of malfunctions occur it is best to simply replace the toilet tank fill valve. A toilet tank fill valve costs around $10 and you can replace one yourself in about 30 minutes.

Step by Step Instructions on How to Replace a Toilet Tank Fill Valve

Removing the Old Toilet Tank Fill Valve

To replace a toilet tank fill valve, first shut off the supply line to the toilet tank. Then flush the toilet to drain as much water as possible out of the toilet tank.

Once you’ve flushed out as much water as possible from the toilet tank, use a sponge or towel to sop up the residual water in the tank. Have a bucket handy to squeeze out the soaked sponge or towel.

After removing any residual water from the tank, disconnect the water supply line from the base of the toilet tank. If you’re lucky the supply line nut will be able to be screwed off with just your fingers. If it is too tight you may need to use an adjustable pair of pliers to loosen it. With the supply line disconnected from the toilet tank, next remove the large plastic nut that sits underneath the toilet tank and that holds the existing toilet tank fill valve in place. Again, you may need a pair of adjustable pliers to remove this nut.

Watch this video on how to replace a toilet tank fill valve.

After removing the large plastic nut the old toilet tank fill valve should be able to be lifted out of the toilet. You may need to unclip the small thin hose that connects between the toilet tank fill valve and the overflow pipe.

Replacing Toilet Tank Fill Valve

With your old toilet tank fill valve in hand visit your local home improvement center and find a similar replacement toilet tank fill valve. Many replacement toilet tank fill valves are adjustable which can help in preventing multiple trips back to the home improvement center.

Once back from the home improvement center install the large thick rubber washer to the base of the threads on the new toilet tank fill valve. Also read the installation instructions on the toilet tank fill valve replacement packaging to ensure that you have adjusted the height of the valve to the proper height. Then slide the replacement toilet tank fill valve assembly into the hole in the bottom of the toilet tank.

Use the new large plastic nut to secure it in place. The large plastic nut should mount to the threads on the underside of the toilet tank and should only be finger tightened. Avoid using pliers as you do not want to crack the porcelain tank.

After securing the replacement toilet tank fill valve to the toilet tank, reattach the supply line to the base of the tank. Before attaching the supply line nut, however, wrap some plumbers tape around the threads of the toilet tank fill valve. Also, again only finger tighten the supply line nut to the threads of the toilet tank fill valve.

If your particular toilet tank fill valve has a separate arm and float mechanism attach them to the toilet tank fill valve.

Finally turn the supply line valve back on and observe that the toilet tank fill valve fills up the tank appropriately before shutting off.

After the toilet tank fill valve has shut off, flush the toilet and again check to see if the toilet fills up properly and to the right level. Also inspect the nuts to make sure there are no leaks. If there are leaks, tighten up the nuts a little more. If you need to use adjustable pliers make sure not to apply too much torque.

With the toilet flushing and filling properly again your toilet tank fill valve replacement project is complete. Put the lid back on the toilet and you’re done.