With a few simple tools, anyone can repair a malfunctioning toilet.
Basic Toilet Construction: Toilets are
simple devices and they are all work in a very similar manner. They
are based on two items, a bowl and a tank although some manufacturers
have models where they have molded these two items as one piece. The
bowl sits on the floor and has a rubber or wax gasket sealing the
drainpipe to the base of the toilet. These gaskets should not be
reused. They are very inexpensive and anytime the bowl is lifted from
the floor, the gasket should be replaced. I prefer the wax gasket as I
feel it molds better to any imperfections in the porcelain material on
the base of the bowl and the drainpipe flange. The bowl is held down
tight to the drainpipe with two bolts. The bolts, which should be
brass, are designed with heads that fit through slots in the toilet
drainpipe flange. These bolts stand straight up and fit into the holes
in the base of the toilet. When tightened they compress the gasket
between the base of the bowl and the flange and subsequently hold the
toilet tight to the floor. In a few instances, there may be an
additional two holes in the toilet bowl base. These holes allow for
the placement of two additional fasteners through the base of toilet
and into the floor.
The tank contains two basic parts, although some manufacturers have
designed a mechanism that contains both functions of the two parts.
One of the parts is a float valve that allows water to enter the bowl
to a certain predefined height. The other is a flapper valve that
allows the water contained in the bowl to the tank.
A gasket and two or three brass bolts, washers and nuts hold the tank
to the bowl and compress the gasket to prevent water leakage.
The incoming water pipe, which should have an independent valve,
connects directly to the base of the float valve.
Repairing A Toilet:
Prior to making any toilet repairs turn the valve off that supplies
water to the toilet and flush the toilet.
Symptom: Water is continually running. The problem is either
the float valve or the flapper valve (or both).
To replace the valve, using a sponge remove any water left in the
bowl, remove the nut that holds the water intake pipe from the base of
the toilet bowl, remove the nut that holds the flush valve tight to
the bowl (located just above the water intake nut and it is on the
outside of the bowl), remove the float valve assembly and install a
new unit. Tighten the nut that fits over the thread on the bottom of
the float valve (this nut compresses a gasket on the inside of the
tank between the bottom of the tank and the float valve), put the
water intake pipe back in position and tighten the nut that holds it
to the bottom of the float valve. Turn the water to the toilet on and
look for leaks.
If the flapper valve needs replacement, you may have to remove the
tank from the bowl. This is dependent on the manufacturer of the
toilet and style of valve used. Some flapper valves can be replaced
without removing the tank. If you know the manufacturer of the toilet,
you can easily buy the correct replacement. If you don't know the
manufacturer, take a close look at the flapper valve and then buy a
suitable replacement. Follow the installation instructions with the
replacement. If the tank has to be removed, I recommend replacing the
bolts, washers, and the gasket that sits between the tank and bowl. In
many cases once these gaskets are compressed they will not reseal
properly once removed.
Symptom: Water on floor. A defective gasket that seals the bowl
to the drainpipe usually causes this problem. However, the first thing
to check is the incoming water supply. Make sure that there are no
leaks around the incoming water supply valve or the water supply pipe
where it connects to the toilet. Secondarily, if the toilet tank is
wet on the outside it is due to condensation that will drip onto the
floor. Foam liners are available which will help to prevent
condensation.
Once you have eliminated the incoming water supply or condensation as
the problem, you can assume the problem is a defective toilet gasket.
This also assumes the toilet bowl is sitting tight to the floor. If
the bowl rocks or moves, you can try to tighten the bolts that hold
the toilet to the floor and drainpipe gasket. To replace the gasket,
flush the toilet and remove the nut that holds the incoming water pipe
to the bottom of the flush valve. Remove the nuts on the bolts that
hold the bowl to the floor (you may have to remove the bolt covers,
use a screwdriver on the edge and pry upwards, the caps should pop
off). Once the nuts are removed, lift the toilet straight up and off
of the protruding bolts. The toilet may feel like it is glued down; it
is the old gasket that is holding it in place, wiggle the toilet, and
it will come free. All toilets have the drain trap molded into the
bowl; this means that there is water still in the bowl, so expect
water on your floor! Once the toilet is removed, the gasket will be
fixed to the drain flange and/or to the base of the toilet bowl.
Remove all of the old gasket material using a scraper. Place a new
gasket over the molded drainpipe that protrudes from the base of the
toilet. Lift the toilet over the bolts (I recommend replacing the
bolts) and lower down so the bolts are protruding through the holes in
the toilet base. Using the nuts, washers and if applicable the bases
for the bolt caps; tighten the nuts to compress the gasket to the
drainpipe flange. It is best to hand tighten the nuts by going back
and forth between the two bolts rather than tightening one all the way
down and then the other (this will provide better seating of the
gasket). Replace the caps (it may be necessary to cut the tops of the
protruding bolts, using a hacksaw, in order to get the caps to fit.
Always cut the bolts above the nuts). Reconnect the water supply line.
CAUTION: All toilets are molded from porcelain, which is a very
brittle material. Tightening any bolts with to much force may cause
the porcelain to crack!
For additional information on home improvements
or repairs visit
Renovation Headquarters.
Article Source:
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