How To Replace A Toilet Fill Valve: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove & Install a Toilet Fill Valve: A Step-by-Step Guide PDF download Download Article Fix a leaking toilet in a snap with this simple DIY repair Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Empty the toilet tank. 2 Remove the old toilet fill valve. 3 Purchase a new toilet fill valve. 4 Insert the new fill valve into the toilet and adjust its height. 5 Screw on the nut under the tank. 6 Reconnect the supply line and turn on the water. 7 Adjust the water level as needed. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by James Schuelke and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: March 31, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by James Schuelke and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 361,579 times.

A faulty toilet fill valve can cause your toilet to run all the time, fill the tank slower than usual, or leak water from the tank. Luckily, the fill valve can be cheap and easy to replace yourself. All you need to do is turn off the water to the toilet, remove the old valve, and insert the new one. To keep your toilet working properly, aim to replace the fill valve about every 5 years. Read on to learn how to change out the fill valve in your toilet and get it working correctly again in no time.

Changing a Toilet Fill Valve

  1. Turn off the water supply valve and flush the toilet to empty the tank.
  2. Unscrew the hose under the tank and remove the broken fill valve.
  3. Purchase a new fill valve that matches your old valve.
  4. Insert the valve into the hole in the tank and adjust its height.
  5. Slide any washers onto the valve stem and screw on the nut.
  6. Reconnect the water supply line and turn on the water.

Steps

1

Empty the toilet tank.

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  1. Turn off the water supply valve and flush the toilet. Turn off the water supply valve and flush the toilet. Find the water valve behind and below the toilet tank and turn it clockwise. Professional plumber James Schuelke says the best way to drain the tank is to flush the toilet and then use a wet vacuum to remove the small amount of water sitting at the bottom of the tank.[1]
    • If you don’t have a wet vacuum, use a sponge, towel, or turkey baster.
    • The water valve is usually located where the water pipe comes out of the wall. The hose coming out of the valve attaches to the bottom of the toilet tank.
    • When you flush the toilet, the water flows from the tank into the bowl. Since the water valve is off, no water will flow back into the tank.
    EXPERT TIP James Schuelke

    James Schuelke

    Professional Plumber James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. James Schuelke James Schuelke Professional Plumber

    It's a good idea to turn off your main water valve, as well. Find the main water shut-off valve on the outside of your home and turn it off. Then, go around your property and turn on various fixtures to confirm that they're off, but it will also drain off residual water that's inside the system. Doing this will help you avoid water damage due to a flood.

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2

Remove the old toilet fill valve.

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  1. Unscrew the hose under the tank and remove the fill valve. Unscrew the hose under the tank and remove the fill valve. Remove the tank lid and set it on a towel. The toilet fill valve is inside the tank, usually off to one side. Loosen the nut on the bottom of the tank under the fill valve by turning it counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench or pliers. Drain the hose into a plastic bin. Unscrew and pull the old valve assembly out of the tank.[2]
    • Put the plastic bucket or bin under the nut to collect any dripping water. Place the old fill valve inside the bin to collect any water that leaks out after you pull it out of the tank.
    • In newer toilets, the fill valve is the plastic column that includes the float and the on-off lever for filling. In older toilets, the float is a separate piece but is connected to the top of the fill valve.
    • The fill valve also has a small refill tube attached to it that drains into the overflow pipe.
3

Purchase a new toilet fill valve.

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  1. Buy a new fill valve that’s the same type as the old one. Buy a new fill valve that’s the same type as the old one. Go to your local hardware store and purchase a new toilet fill valve that matches your old one. Most new toilet fill valves are universal, meaning they will fit in almost any toilet. Check your toilet’s manufacturer to see what kind of fill valve it uses.[3] Older models might have one of these fill valves:
    • Plunger or piston fill valves: These have a plastic or brass cup with a rubber lip that separates two chambers inside the valve.[4]
    • Diaphragm fill valves: Diaphragm valves have a rubber disk that separates the two chambers and opens and closes to control the water flow.[5]
    • Float-cup (ballcock) fill valves: This type of valve uses a plastic cup or ball filled with air to regulate how much water fills the tank.[6]
    • Floatless fill valves: These don’t have a seal or ball—instead, floatless valves have a pressure-sensing device that controls the flow of the water.[7]
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4

Insert the new fill valve into the toilet and adjust its height.

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  1. Place the fill valve stem into the hole at the bottom of the tank. Place the fill valve stem into the hole at the bottom of the tank. Remove the new toilet fill valve from its packaging and read the directions it comes with. Adjust the height of the valve so that the top sits 1 in (2.5 cm) below the top of the overflow pipe. Insert the small refill tube into the overflow pipe.[8]
    • Most kits include a clip that holds the refill tube and attaches to the top of the overflow pipe. This prevents the tube from dipping below the water line and siphoning the water in the tank.
    • If the old valve is the same model as the new one and its base is in good condition, you may not need to remove the old valve.
    • Just pull up on the lock ring at the bottom, slide it off the base, then remove the base on the new valve and attach the tube to the old base.
5

Screw on the nut under the tank.

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  1. Slide any included washers onto the fill valve stem and attach the nut. Slide any included washers onto the fill valve stem and attach the nut. Consult your kit’s instructions to see how many washers to attach onto the fill valve inside and outside of the tank. Slide the fill valve through the hole in the bottom of the tank, push it down slightly, and screw any washers and the included nut onto the valve’s stem.[9]
    • Washers on the inside and outside of the tank ensure that there is a water-tight seal around this connection point.
    • Make sure the nut is only finger-tight. Tightening the nut on the bottom of the fill valve with a wrench or pliers could crack the toilet tank or the valve stem.
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6

Reconnect the supply line and turn on the water.

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  1. Screw the hose onto the valve stem and turn on the water supply valve. Screw the hose onto the valve stem and turn on the water supply valve. Once the replacement fill valve is in place, it's time to get the water flowing again. Attach the supply line to the bottom of the new fill valve and tighten it with a wrench. Turn on the water by turning the water supply valve counter clockwise until it stops rotating. Check all your connections for leaks
    • Be careful not to overtighten the supply line, or the nut could crack and the connection will leak.
    • If you see any leaks, immediately turn the water off at the supply valve. Tighten the leaking connections. If the connection still leaks, it may need to be reinstalled or replaced.
    • When you turn the water on, the tank will start filling right away.
    EXPERT TIP James Schuelke

    James Schuelke

    Professional Plumber James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. James Schuelke James Schuelke Professional Plumber

    Be very cautious as you turn the water back on. Once the valve is on, turn the main water supply on very slowly, and have a second person go into the bathroom and make sure there are no leaks as you regenerate the water system.

7

Adjust the water level as needed.

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  1. Adjust the float on the new fill valve. Adjust the float on the new fill valve. Adjust the float on your new toilet fill valve so that the water is 1 in (2.5 cm) below the top of the overflow pipe.[10] The float's location can be adjusted with a clip on its side, a set screw at the top of the float shaft, or by adjusting a screw at the top of fill valve where the float attaches.
    • Look at the directions for your new toilet fill valve for exact directions for float adjustment.
    • Positioning the float 1 in (2.5 cm) below the overflow pipe will ensure that it shuts off the water before it gets high enough to flow over the top of the pipe.
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Expert Q&A

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Video

Tips

  • Replace your fill valve every 5 years as part of your regular toilet maintenance.[11] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • If the fill valve is malfunctioning on an older 3.5-gallon (13.25-liter) flush toilet, consider replacing the toilet with a 1.5-gallon (5.67-liter) model. It will easily pay for itself in water savings! Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
  • It’s best to replace the flapper at the same time you replace the fill valve. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • An adjustable wrench or pliers
  • New toilet fill valve kit
  • Plastic bucket or bin
  • Towel or sponge

You Might Also Like

Fix a Leaky Fill Valve in a ToiletWhat to Do if Your Toilet Fill Valve is Leaking Replace a Flush ValveHow toReplace a Flush Valve Adjust the Water Level in Toilet BowlHow to Raise or Lower Toilet Bowl Water Levels: Easy DIY Solutions Adjust the Fill Valve on a ToiletHow to Adjust 3 Kinds of Fill Valves on a Toilet Fix a Leaky Toilet TankHow to Fix a Toilet Tank Leak Fix a Running ToiletHow to Fix a Running Toilet: Your Ultimate Guide Replace a Toilet TankHow to Remove and Replace a Toilet Tank Replace a Toilet FlapperHow to Replace a Toilet Flapper Turn Off the Water Supply to a ToiletHow to Shut Off Your Toilet’s Water Supply Adjust a Dual Flush Toilet MechanismAdjusting a Dual-Flushing Toilet Mechanism Made Easy Toilet Tank Not Filling with Water After Flush7 Reasons Your Toilet Tank Isn’t Filling with Water (& How to Fix It) Increase Water Pressure in a ToiletHow toIncrease Water Pressure in a Toilet Fix a Stuck Toilet HandleHow toFix a Stuck Toilet Handle Drain a ToiletHow to Empty a Toilet Bowl for Cleaning, Repair, or Removal Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-fill-valve/
  3. ↑ https://resources.kohler.com/plumbing/kohlerla/pdf/2015%20Toilet%20Service%20Parts.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/femp/best-management-practice-6-toilets-and-urinals
  5. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/femp/best-management-practice-6-toilets-and-urinals
  6. ↑ https://www.portland.gov/water/water-efficiency-programs/fixatoiletleak
  7. ↑ https://www.ose.nm.gov/FixALeak/PDF/DWAD_2015.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-fill-valve/
  9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-fill-valve/
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-fill-valve/
  2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-fill-valve/

About This Article

James Schuelke Co-authored by: James Schuelke Professional Plumber This article was co-authored by James Schuelke and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. This article has been viewed 361,579 times. 10 votes - 90% Co-authors: 11 Updated: March 31, 2025 Views: 361,579 Categories: Featured Articles | Toilet Maintenance Article SummaryX

To replace a toilet fill valve, start by turning off the water valve directly below the toilet. Next, flush the toilet and hold the lever down to remove as much water as possible from the tank. You can get rid of any excess water by using a turkey baster, wet-dry vacuum, or old towels. Then, remove the tank lid and locate the toilet fill valve, which should be off to one side and connected to the overflow pipe. Detach the valve and put the new valve in its place, remembering to clip it to the overflow pipe. Finally, tighten down all the washers and nuts to secure the valve in place, and turn the water back on. To learn how to adjust the float on your new toilet fill valve, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. James Schuelke Co-authored by: James Schuelke Professional Plumber Co-authors: 11 Updated: March 31, 2025 Views: 361,579 90% of readers found this article helpful. 10 votes - 90% Click a star to add your vote Art Moore

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"This article really aided my comfort/confidence level in going forward with my project! I am a mature and..." more Elaine Barnett

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"Article pretty much gives a blow-by-blow account of how to replace toilet fill valve. Also give a list of things..." more Anonymous

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