Anyone ever fix a toilet flush valve themselves?

[Margie J]

My toilet has been making an awful jackhammer sound when refilling. If I hold the float ball things are quiet.

Yesterday, I was at Lowes to pick up some other stuff and bought a new flush valve from American Standard. It looks pretty easy to install and I am mechanically inclined. I wouldn't have to remove the tank just disconnect the water line, remove the old valve and set the new one in place.

I had thoughts yesterday that I would flood my whole condo with the first flush of the new valve.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dan Murphy]

They're pretty easy to install, Margie, if you have some mechanical inclination, as you say you do. I just suggest you follow the instruction sheet, usually with simple text and pictures, only about 5 or so steps. Turn off water, flush, soak up residual water left in tank, undo old valve (be careful not to break tank) (and have small pot of bucket to catch somewater that may drip out of hole where valve was), install new one, (make sure to use a teflon plumbing tape, most often suggested in directions), hook up water supply, turn water on a bit and do a few test flushes, check for leaks, turn water supply on full, a few more flushes, check for leaks. I might suggest leaving a pot or small bucket beneath new valve for a day to verufy now minute leaks. Enjoy your new flusher, pride of ownership, LOL.

http://www.toiletology.com/howtofix.shtml

 

[Margie J]

Thanks Dan for the info and the website link.

 

[newmousecateer]

Go ahead and do it. DH and I just did it 2 weeks ago, and I did most of the instruction reading and pretty much told him the steps. Like Dan said, follow the instructions and you should be just fine.

 

[tstobb]

I actually just did this last week because of the same problem and replaced the whole assembly with a new one that eliminated the float altogether - it uses water pressure for the shut-off. Start to finish took about 15-20 minutes and I'm the type that has to be reminded which end of the screwdriver to use!

 

[Margie J]

tstobb, if you see this - which brand did you use? I read some bad reviews on the Smart Valve by American Standard that I bought. I may buy the Fluidmaster instead.

Thanks

 

[tstobb]

Sorry - I don't remember the brand but the top of the valve is marked "Hushflow" and I got it at WalMart. It's only anout 1-1/2 inches high and if I remember correctly, it was about $15-$20

 

[catsrule]

Where is Pop Daddy, he should be able to help.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have always used the Fluidmaster brand repair items, Margie. Always pleased.

 

[Margie J]

Where is Pop Daddy, he should be able to help.

I almost thought this said Poop Daddy.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I have put 5 or 6 of the fluidmasters from home depot in various people's toilets and never had a problem

 

[Margie J]

Alex, if you do home repairs on the side, would you like to travel to Reading and fix one more toilet for me?