A malfunctioning toilet handle or lever often causes incomplete flushes or continuous running water. Replacing this mechanism is a straightforward home repair that requires minimal time and specialized knowledge. Addressing this issue promptly helps conserve water and restores the toilet’s intended functionality. This simple do-it-yourself project is a cost-effective way to maintain your plumbing system.
Gathering Tools and Parts
Gathering the correct components ensures a smooth repair. The new handle and lever assembly must match the mounting style of your toilet tank, whether it is a front, side, or corner mount. You will need an adjustable wrench or slip-joint pliers to loosen and tighten the retaining nut inside the tank. Keeping a small sponge and a towel nearby is helpful for managing residual water.
Removing the Old Assembly
The first step in removing the old mechanism is to stop the flow of water into the tank. Locate the shut-off valve, typically found on the wall or floor near the base of the toilet, and turn it clockwise until the water flow ceases. Once the supply is off, depress the handle to flush the toilet, which lowers the water level inside the tank, providing clear access to the internal components.
The lever arm is secured inside the tank by a large retaining nut against the porcelain wall. This nut often utilizes a reverse thread, meaning you turn it clockwise to loosen it. Use the adjustable wrench or pliers to grip the nut and rotate it in the loosening direction.
Apply torque carefully to the nut to avoid striking or damaging the porcelain tank wall. Once the nut is completely unscrewed, detach the flapper chain from the old lever arm. The old handle and lever arm can then be pulled out through the hole on the exterior of the tank.
Installing the New Assembly
With the old parts removed, the new handle and lever arm can be inserted through the tank hole from the outside. Ensure the lever arm is correctly oriented inside the tank so it can move freely without obstruction. Next, thread the new retaining nut onto the handle shaft from inside the tank, making sure to start the threads correctly to prevent cross-threading.
Hand-tighten the nut until it is snug against the tank wall. If the new nut is reverse-threaded, turn it counter-clockwise to tighten it. After hand-tightening, use the wrench to give the nut an additional quarter-turn, applying enough pressure to prevent the handle from rotating during use.
Over-tightening the nut can place undue stress on the porcelain, potentially leading to a hairline fracture in the tank. The next step involves connecting the flapper chain to the end of the new lever arm. The chain must be attached to one of the holes on the arm, and the specific hole chosen determines the amount of slack in the chain.
Proper chain slack is necessary for a complete flush and a proper seal. The chain should be adjusted to have minimal slack when the flapper rests in the drain opening, ensuring it does not pull the flapper open slightly. When the handle is depressed, the lever arm should pull the chain taut immediately, lifting the flapper completely. Too much slack prevents the flapper from lifting, while too little slack prevents the flapper from sealing, causing the toilet to run continuously.
Final Checks and Adjustments
Once the new assembly is secured and the chain is connected, the water supply can be turned back on by rotating the shut-off valve counter-clockwise. Allow the tank to refill completely until the fill valve automatically shuts off the flow. The final step is to test the flush mechanism several times to confirm proper operation.
If the toilet continues to run after the tank has refilled, the flapper is likely not sealing completely, indicating the chain is too tight and needs more slack. Conversely, if pressing the handle does not lift the flapper, the chain is too loose and needs to be shortened by moving the connection point to a different hole on the lever arm.