Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a new flush valve. (See below for shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Shopping List for How to Repair a Noisy Toilet:
- Replacement flush valve
Tools List for How to Repair a Noisy Toilet:
- Pliers, for loosening and tightening hex nuts
- Slotted screwdriver and open-end wrench, for removing the tank bolts
- Large sponge or cotton cloth, for sopping up water
Steps for How to Repair a Noisy Toilet:
1. Close the shutoff valve behind the toilet to stop the flow of water.
2. Remove the lid from the toilet tank. Flush the toilet and hold down the flush lever to drain as much water from the tank as possible.
3. Use a large sponge or cotton cloth to sop up the remaining water from inside the tank.
4. Disconnect the water-supply line from the underside of the toilet tank.
5. Use a slotted screwdriver and open-end wrench to remove the two bolts that hold the toilet tank to the bowl.
6. Lift the tank off the bowl and use pliers to remove the large nut on the underside of the tank. Remove the old flush valve from the tank.
7. Install a new flush valve to the tank; securely tighten the mounting nut with pliers.
8. Attach two new brass bolts to the tank.
9. Place the rubber spud gasket onto the bottom of the flush valve, then set the tank onto the toilet bowl.
10. Put washers and hex nuts onto the brass bolts, then alternately tighten the nuts to secure the tank to the bowl. Be careful not to overtighten the nuts or you'll crack the toilet.
11. Reconnect the water-supply line to the underside of the tank.
12. Adjust the flapper chain to the correct length.
13. Turn the water back on and flush the toilet to ensure it's operating properly and quietly. Adjust the flapper and overflow tube, if necessary.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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