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Turn Off Water and Empty Tank — Prepare for Toilet Fill Valve Replacement

Beginner2 hours

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Fix Leaky Toilets: A Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Your Fill Valve · Step 1 of 6

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In this video

Locate the water supply valve on the wall behind your toilet and turn the knob clockwise to completely shut off the water flow. It's important to turn the knob slowly, using quarter-turns to avoid damaging older pipes. Once the water is off, flush the toilet and hold down the flush handle until the tank is fully empty. You can confirm by lifting the tank lid and seeing that the water level is low or gone.

Goal: Safely shut off the water supply and drain the toilet tank.

  • This is a critical step. Do not skip turning off the water, as attempting to disconnect the plumbing with the water on will cause a flood.
  • If you have an unusual valve or are unsure how to turn it off, call a plumber or send a photo to install@hellotushy.com for assistance.

Used in this video

  • Pliers (Tool Type: Hand tools) · optional — Turning a water supply valve that does not have a knob.
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FAQs

My new fill valve is leaking where it connects to the water supply line. What should I check?

First, ensure the connection is hand-tightened, then gently snug it with your adjustable wrench, being careful not to overtighten and strip the threads. Also, check that the rubber washer inside the coupling is properly seated and not pinched or missing; a new washer may be needed if it's damaged.

Is replacing a toilet fill valve truly a beginner-friendly project, and how much time should I set aside?

Yes, this project is very beginner-friendly and perfect for a first-time DIYer. Most people can complete the entire process, including preparation and testing, within 1 to 2 hours. Taking your time and carefully following each step will help ensure a successful repair.

What crucial safety precautions should I take before starting this toilet repair?

Always begin by turning off the water supply to the toilet, usually via a small shut-off valve at the wall or floor. After turning it off, flush the toilet to empty the tank as much as possible to minimize water spills when you disconnect lines and remove the old valve.

Besides an adjustable wrench, are there any other tools I might need for this project?

An adjustable wrench, like the Husky 12 in. Adjustable Wrench, is the primary tool you'll need. You might also find a bucket helpful to catch any residual water from the tank or supply line, and a sponge or old towel for easy cleanup of small spills.

Transcript
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your knees and booty, and a screwdriver, and you may even need a wrench. Now it's time to turn off the water supply to your toilet. Do not skip this step because if you do, and you start detaching plumbing, you're going to get water everywhere and you will flood your bathroom. So to turn off the water, you just look behind your toilet and you find the water connection to the wall, and usually there is a knob that turns the water on and off. And make sure when you're turning, to only do quarter turns at a time and to turn consciously because your pipes may have mineral buildup or even rust on them. If you don't have a knob, you can use pliers to turn off the water. And if you do see something strange, definitely call a plumber or email us a photo at install at hellotushy.com. Alright, let's turn it off. And on this one, I just do a quarter turn and the water is actually off, and when you turn it off, you'll hear a distinct sound of the water shutting off. Now to empty your tank, give your toilet a flush and hold down the flesher until you hear the water stop flowing. You can also do a double check by looking inside your toilet when you see that the water is low or that it's stopped flowing, you're ready to go.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.