Toilet Flush Valve Seal Replacement

Written By: M J McAllister
  • Comments: 18
Toilet Flush Valve Seal Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

3 minutes

Introduction

However, the shortcut method may also be applied to many other brands of toilet flush valves.

This is a shortcut, time/labor-saving, method of installing a replacement "flush valve seal" to stop water inside the toilet tank from seeping/leaking down the drain (and the continuous, annoying sound that accompanies this water loss).

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    • This is the New Valve Seal used in this guide, available at hardware stores and home centers.

    • Using this New Seal installation shortcut method, it will NOT be necessary to do the following (of the original instructions that accompany the New Seal product): "Turn off water supply to toilet and drain tank" and "Unhook trip lever..." [any "chain" will need to be momentarily unhooked.] and "Unthread stop cap..." and "Lift float assembly off....."

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    • Remove the top of the toilet tank.

    • With a towel nearby, roll-up your sleeves. Flush the toilet to lower the tank water level.

    • Immediately identify the old, worn [red] Valve Seal at bottom of the vertical assembly of Overflow Tube and Float.

    • Reach into water tank and remove the worn valve seal by pulling it, like an old rubber band, with your finger tips (or pliers) until it breaks.

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    • Roll the new seal and stick it through the square trip lever holder and lasso the free end of the trip lever (the opposite end of the lever is attached to the flush lever outside of the tank).

    • Keeping the trip lever through large center hole of the new seal, pull the new seal in the reverse direction back through the square trip lever holder. Turn the trip lever holder as you do this to allow more space to ease the new seal back through.

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    • When the new seal is between where the trip lever is connected to tank and where trip lever protrudes through square trip lever holder, for a moment, pull the flexible water refill tube out of the center of the stop cap. Point the free end of it down, as water may still be coming through it after flushing.

    • Take the new seal just over the stop cap and replace the water refill tube, being careful not to splash any water coming out of it.

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    • Gently stretch and pull the new seal all the way down the vertical assembly of the overflow tube and float near the bottom and position it into its top groove of the flush valve.

    • Once in place, you should be able to gently grasp the edge of the new seal and turn it in place in the groove, around the base of the flush valve. Check the seal by flushing, watching and listening.

    it still leaks, very slowly....what do i need to do

    Michael Goens -

    i have repositioned it 3 times

    Michael Goens -

    I am having the same problem. It still leaks.

    marigranw -

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    • This is the reverse side of the Flush Valve Seal package.

    Unscrew the cap where the little hose fits then remove the valve entirely. Or prop it all up and slide the gasket under it and then around its holder. If you try to slip it down the flush valve as indicated you may distort or harm the gasket or valve.

    etmishts -

    There are other illustrations elsewhere on the web.. The problem will be the new gasket will leak slightly . I just replaced one twice, can't stop the leak. Can't buy OEM parts just the generic. I have three toilets, tried to replace the gasket in all of them. Flowmaster gasket worked nothing else does. That's one out of four, one toilet shut off, going to have to do something else with a flusher, can't shut off anymore toilets, don't to try anymore gaskets.

    etmishts -

    This was a great help to fix my mom’s issue…and not have to get a plumber! Thank you!!

    Destiny -

Conclusion

Flush Valve Seals will need to be replaced, at least, once every few years, depending on water condition. Other kinds of toilet water tanks may have similar assemblies. Why call a plumber for something so easy to do yourself?!

Author

M J McAllister

Member since: 18/05/11

1933 Reputation

12 comments

I followed the instructions on the package (turn off water, disassemble the flush valve).

It was so simple, I think this "shortcut" would have been more difficult.

Sean Kennedy -

You "think" it would have been more difficult? No disassembly (and reassembly) required on this one.

M J McAllister -

I just followed this instruction and it was fixed in less than 2 minutes.

apexmi -

After replacing seal, mine toilet is still leaking. :-(

Nina -

Nina, most replacement gaskets leak. Try fluid master if you can find one but most of this stuff from China or Mexico and the manufacturing is faulty. See my other comment.

etmishts -

Nina, A few ideas:

1. Sometimes there are mineral deposits (from 'hard' water) on the surfaces the gasket resides between (for instance, around the bottom of the float tube that sinks down onto the top of the seal). You can try carefully sanding them off with fine sandpaper.

2. If you have very cold water, especially, in winter months, a seal will be tested! Look for a new seal that is shiny on its surface. This indicates it may be silicone-based (not rubber) and they work better in areas with very cold water.

3. When installed normally, distortion of the seal is not a problem. You may just need to reinstall to make sure everything goes smoothly. But, first, gently pull the seal on opposite sides, with both hands. Do this moving around the seal to be sure it is properly seated in place. If nothing else woks, time to call a professional : )

M J McAllister -

Hey, is the flush valve seal comes with the complete toilet fill valve pack or purchased separately?

Rose Geiger -

I can’t pull the flexible water tube out… help!

Natalie Gunther -

Never apply too much force. Perhaps it is originally molded-in. Try disconnecting the same water tube from the other end?

M J McAllister -

Is there a video available?

Dawn Stover -

The water tank that gets rid of waste from the toilet does a good job but is rather bulky. Luckily, with technology development, manufacturers have discovered how to deal with the bulkiness of the tanks. You, as a buyer, may want to know if the innovations are appropriate for residential use and if you should have tankless toilet vs tank toilet.

Robert Sander -

I need to replace seal and o ring in toilet. Do I have to take entire flush and refill out?

David Eversole -