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Remove Old Fill Valve — Remove the Old Toilet Fill Valve

Beginner

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How to Replace a Toilet Fill Valve: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 2 of 4

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In this video

Remove the old fill valve from the tank. Locate the large plastic locknut on the underside of the tank that holds the fill valve in place. Use a pair of pliers to loosen the nut by turning it counter-clockwise, then finish unscrewing it by hand. Once the nut is removed, you can lift the entire fill valve assembly out from inside the tank. More water will drain from the tank hole, so keep your bucket in place.

Goal: Remove fill valve

Used in this video

  • Pliers (Pliers Type: Slip-joint pliers) — Loosening the fill valve locknut
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FAQs

What specific tools will I need for this project, and are there any alternatives if I don't have them?

You'll primarily need an adjustable wrench, like the Crescent 12 in. model, to loosen and tighten the lock nut. While pliers can sometimes work, an adjustable wrench provides better grip and reduces the risk of stripping the nut. A sponge, such as the HDX Multi-Purpose Sponge, is also very helpful for soaking up residual water.

What is the most critical safety step I need to take before starting to replace the fill valve?

The most critical step is to turn off the water supply to the toilet completely, usually via the shut-off valve on the wall behind the toilet. Once the water is off, flush the toilet to empty the tank as much as possible, using a sponge for any remaining water. This prevents leaks and makes the job much cleaner.

How long should this DIY project take for someone with no prior plumbing experience, and what's the typical cost for materials?

For a beginner, replacing a toilet fill valve typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish, including setup and cleanup. The Korky QuietFill Toilet Fill Valve mentioned costs approximately $15-$25, making this a very affordable repair.

After installing the new fill valve, my toilet keeps running or the water level is too high/low. How do I fix this?

First, check the float height on your new fill valve; it should be adjusted so the water level stops just below the overflow tube. If it keeps running, ensure the refill tube is properly inserted into the overflow pipe and that the lock nut under the tank is securely tightened to prevent external leaks.

Transcript
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So underneath the tank, on the left-hand side typically, you're going to want to remove that and it's usually a plastic nut that's holding that on. A lot of times it's on there a little tight so you might want to use a pair of pliers, loosen it up, and then you'll be able to just take that off by hand. Now remember there's going to be a little bit of water in the tank. So as soon as you start taking this piece off, you're going to have more water flowing out of the tank right here and that will be the last little bit of water in the tank. So once you get that removed, the nut removed, this should just be able to pull right out. You're going to have a rubber seal in there. You can see you pull that right out. Now you have that removed, you have the rest of the water be drained down here so make sure you have a bucket underneath to catch that water.

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