How To Repair A Shut Off Valve On A Toilet

Last Updated on January 11, 2022 past

A toilet shut off valve is located on the wall behind the toilet. It gives you a way of turning off the h2o supply to the toilet when you need to carry out repairs and maintenance on the toilet instead of turning off water to the entire house.

Today I will show you how to supercede a leaking toilet shut off valve. This is an easy chore which yous should cease in under one 60 minutes depending on your experience level.

A water supply line is unremarkably continued from the shut off valve to the toilet tank. It is always a good idea to replace the supply line as you replace the close off valve.

A supply line is inexpensive and saves you the fourth dimension of having to supersede information technology in the near hereafter.

Toilet close off valves are rarely used and as a result ordinarily get stuck. When you finally strength them to shut, you may notice that they will start to leak.

The shut off valve contains a rubber washer which creates a watertight seal and preventing any leaks. With fourth dimension, the condom washer deteriorates and this is the master reason shut off valves leaks. You lot might also hear a vibrating sound later on each flush as the tank refills.

The vibration is caused past the rubber washer moving about the valve as the water flows out. You will as well discover that subsequently the tank is full the vibration stops.

Although repairing the shut off washer is possible, replacing the entire valve is the long term and better repair.

Related: How to replace a toilet fill valve.

Types of Shut off Valves

Prior to replacing a toilet close off valve you will showtime need to know the type of valve you accept. In that location are basically iii types of valves:

Compression valve – This is the blazon of valve that is neither soldered nor threaded to the piping. It uses a brass compression ring which is plain-featured using a nut to get in tight. This is blazon of valve yous you should use.
Threaded valve – This type of valve is threaded directly on the pipe. Compression valves are used on copper pipes but threaded valves are by and large used with iron pipes.
Sweat valve – Sweat valves are commonly soldered on the pipe. They have a slightly larger diameter than the pipe which is filled with hot solder which sticks it to the pipage. Replacing a sweat shut off valve you need a solder torch and you lot besides need to have a burn extinguisher on stand-by. If you are not comfortable replacing this blazon of valve you lot should go ahead and call a plumber.

How to Replace a Leaking Toilet Shut Shut off Valve

The outset thing you should do is to gather all the tools and materials necessary for the task, depending on the type of valve you are replacing. These are the items needed:

2 adjustable wrenches
Sponge
Soldering torch
Flame protector
Fire extinguisher
Leather groves
Emery cloth
Penetrating oil (optional)

Pace 1: Purchase the right valve

The expert thing is that shut off valves are universal so you actually don't take to worry about the size. It is the blazon you need to focus on.

A ¼ turn ball valve is the kind of shut off valve you demand to buy. It is easy to install, does not jam/lock and does non leak. If you lot have a sweat valve, consider replacing it with a compression valve.

If your pipe is threaded you will need to make sure you purchase a threaded shut off valve also.

Step two: Drain all the water

Turn off the chief close off valve to the house. You will well-nigh likely find this valve in the basement next to the heater or adjacent to the water meter. If it is a bike valve turn in all the fashion clockwise simply if it is a butterfly valve plough it 90 degrees (perpendicular to the pipe)
Turn on whatsoever of the faucets in the house to drain the water already in the pipes.
Flush the toilet and hold the handle down to remove as much water every bit possible.
Remove the toilet tank lid and identify it in a safe place.
Apply the sponge to soak upwardly the water all the same left at the bottom of the tank.

Step iii: Disconnect the Supply line

The supply line is connected to the toilet tank using a plastic coupling. Loosen the coupling with your manus since it's ordinarily mitt tight. Utilize a wrench only if it is likewise tight. Put a small bucket or towel on the floor to take hold of any water that might drip on the flooring.
Use a wrench to disconnect the supply line from the shut off valve by turning the connecting nut counterclockwise.

Step 3: How to Remove and Supersede a Compression Shut off Valve

Here yous want to plough the compression nut and not the valve itself. Back off the valve with a wrench and apply the other wrench to turn the nut clockwise. Pull out the valve.
The compression band and nut will still be left on the pipe. Utilize a wrench or pliers to grab the ring and pull information technology out of the piping. Do not utilise also much strength which tin can oval and deform the pipe.
If the ring is as well tight on the piping, use a hacksaw to cut it off. Knock information technology out and remove the nut besides.
Button the new compression nut and ring into the piping. If the previous ring left a dent on the pipe position the new one away from the paring.
Now slide the valve into the pipe and compress the band on the valve using the nut past manus tightening it until snug. Use a wrench to back off on the valve and use some other wrench to turn the nut counterclockwise until information technology's tight. Make sure the valve is facing upwards to connect the supply line hands

Stride 4: How to Remove and Replace a Threaded Valve

This valve is threading directly on the pipage. There is no nut on the pipe and you therefore take a chance leaving very ugly marks on the pipe. Yous besides desire to turn the valve and not the pipe so you should brand sure it doesn't turn.
Wrap a piece of emery cloth on the pipe and conform a wrench to fit tight on it. Apart from preventing wrench marks, the emery textile will help you lot take a tight grip. If you don't have an emery textile y'all should use a rag or duct-tape.
When the wrench is tight on the pipe drop its handle to the floor for support. Use the other wrench to turn the valve counterclockwise until information technology is loose.
If the valve is too tight, spray some penetrating oil on it and leave it for about 15 minutes.
Clean the pipage'due south threads and utilise Teflon record.
Carefully hand tighten the valve on the pipe until its snug. Brand sure it is well aligned. If it is not aligned don't force it in otherwise you will strip the threads.
Employ the 2 wrenches to tight information technology.

Stride v: How to Remove and Replace a Sweat Valve

Make sure you have the fire extinguisher by your side and remove any unnecessary fabric that could hands catch fire.
Stick the flame protector on the wall around the pipe. You do non want to mess with the wall finishing.
Remove the valve stalk. Hold the valve body with i wrench and use the other wrench to loosen the packing nut. This will help you drain out all the water in the pipe which will make your work easier.
Hold the valve tight using pliers or the adjustable and stone information technology.
Put the torch on the smallest flame and aim it directly on the body of the valve. The solder will start to melt.
Using the pliers or wench, plough and pull the valve until it comes off the pipe.
Some solder volition still exist left on the piping. Utilise the torch to melt it too. With yous leather gloves on, wipe off the solder with a dump cotton rag.
Utilise an emery material to remove all the traces of solder from the pipe. This is important if you want to replace the valve with a compression valve.
Install the new compression close off valve as indicated in a higher place.

Step 6: Connect the Water Supply Line

Connect the h2o supply line's nut on the valve and hand tighten till snug. Use the wrench to tighten it further. Practice not however tighten too much that you strip the threads.
Connect the supply to the toilet tank. Remember this connectedness should only be hand tight. Using a wrench could deform it.

Step seven: Open the Master water supply.

Go alee and open the main business firm shut off valve.
Open one faucet and let the h2o run until all the air has come out. You will know this when the bubbling stops.
Turn on the toilet shut off valve and let the tank fill with water.
Keenly check for leaks on the new valve.
In case of any leaks tighten the valve a lit bit otherwise relish your new valve.

And that is how to replace a toilet shut off valve. The sweat shut off valve tin exist a piddling hard to replace for some people but the threaded and pinch shut off valves are a slice of cake.