Let the tank drain by flushing the water down the toilet. Hi! People literally dumped their pails of waste into the streets of Edinburgh and the sludge ran down the streets and into the loch (lake). The nut that holds the toilet handle lever in place is reverse threaded. Well, I did that a few times and then I realized I needed to take a trip to Home Depot to see if I could find a replacement. Thank you! Use two hands, as it can be heavy. It is quite common for a toilet lever ( often called a toilet handle ) to break. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The last one I called flashed his butt crack every time he bent down to fix something, so you spared me that horror too. . When you flush a toilet, the handle lifts a metal or plastic rod that's connected to the tank's drainage mechanism by a chain. But, before we begin, you will need a few tools (tools shown are for a full repair job.). Or maybe you just left off the 7 (since 200 gallons times 365 days equals 73,000 gallons)!!! The gasket is a rubber ring that sits behind the nut and helps to seal the handle from leaks. They were only allowed to dump the pails early or late in the day after the street vendors were gone and the streets were less crowded. I can be contacted via email: PrettyHandyGirl (at) gmail.com. Gently turn the knob clockwise to shut the valve. If you have a leaking toilet or one that doesn’t shut off I encourage you to fix it yourself! You’ll need an adjustable wrench or tongue & groove pliers. Unscrew the new mounting nut from the handle by turning it clockwise. Over tightening could result in a cracked tank. Toilet Repairs – Part 1 – Replace the Lever. Okay, well you don’t have to, but be thankful for your loo. When visiting Scotland, we took a tour of Mary King’s Close we learned about life in Edinburgh before the toilet was invented.It was definitely not a pretty time in the city’s history. A few weeks ago, the flushing handle on my toilet broke! Today, I have Part 1 in a 3 Part Series on Toilet Repairs! If your tank re-fills the water is not completely shut off. Hi, I'm Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl. Next, flush your toilet to drain the water from the tank. You can easily unscrew it by hand. However, since the screws that hold a door lever handle in place are usually hidden, there are a few tricks as far as how to remove it … This is the bit that connects the handle to the other parts inside the cistern. Pretty Handy Girl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Most homeowners will find that these devices are easy to remove if they are broken or damaged, or if they simply want to replace it with a new style. How to Fix or Replace a Toilet Handle / Flush Lever - YouTube The finish on the exposed part of the handle can vary. Home Improvement At the store, the first thing I noticed is the variety of tank levers! I took a picture of my handle and inside the toilet before I left my house to help assist with finding a new one. You may want to replace the handle for that reason. Needs to cut through PVC). Before starting to replace the handle of a toilet, it helps to know its function.The entire flushing process begins with the handle. Now, I can’t find the 3,000 gallons, but they say that leaks can account for up to 10,000 gallons a year. Remember to turn the nut in a counter-clockwise direction because it … You just saved me hundreds of dollars I would have spent calling a plumber. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 5 Remove the old flush handle and throw away. How to Replace a Toilet Handle & Rod. Home Decor This is the broken handle, it should look like this, but when I move my hand... ...it falls, as the plastic pieces inside have broken apart. 4a); STEP 3 – slide down the nut to the top of the flapper for now (fig. DIY! Etc. Slide the nut down the lever until it's completely removed and then remove the O-ring. You rock! I think I found your 3,000 gallons – according to that website “A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.” – that’s under faucets. Fortunately or unfortunately, most of my toilets are ToTo’s, so I would not be able to use this method. I decided on one that looked as close to my old version as possible, and took it home to install. While you’re waiting to fix the handle, you can manually flush the toilet by reaching into the toilet and lifting up the lever yourself. I got my stats from the epa website: http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/fixleak.html . This will allow the cylinder assembly to be removed. Hold the handle in your non-dominant hand and remove the gasket and shank nut from the back of the handle. It was definitely not a pretty time in the city’s history. The Toilet Handle Fix… How To Replace or Tighten. Step 3 - Remove the Lid Remove the lid of the toilet tank to start removing the faulty lever. Quick Repair: How to Replace a Toilet Handle, Front Mount Plated Tank Lever in Chrome (. Replace the tank lid and test it again making sure that the flush lever rod doesn’t hit the top of the tank lid before lifting the flapper. Remove any excess chain that could get caught in the flapper (but leave an inch or two on the chain for adjustments). An old toilet tank lever … Thank you so much. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing an entire tank repair kit and replace all the parts at once. Nice answer back in return of this matter with Home repair expert Henry Harrison shows how to remove and replace a toilet. And then there are projects that we do right away because life happens! That is a TON of water. Thanks for the post. Back then the saying about Edinburgh was that you could smell it before you could see it. Did you know that a leaky or malfunctioning toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day, that is over 70,000 gallons of water in a year! Once it flushes properly, you are done! First off, remove the lid to your toilet tank, this is what it will look like inside the tank: Detach chain hook from the trip lever. Thanks for catching that. Slide the nut back over the arm and hand-turn it onto the handle base — again, remembering that it’s likely a left-handed thread. To replace a damage lever arm, first open the lid covering the toilet tank. STEP 1 – life the toilet tank cover and set it aside (tip: move it far away from the work area; any accidental tool dropping will break it!! Inside the tank, opposite the lever, is a lock nut that holds the lever in place. I removed the old plastic arm, and used an adjustable wrench to loosen the plastic nut. Step 4 - Remove the Chain A lever door handle is used in place of a traditional doorknob on many modern locksets. There should be a water shut off valve in the wall behind your toilet. Remove the nut from the new handle, and insert the arm into the hole. It will save you time and money, because if one part of your tank is going bad, the others are likely to follow close behind. solid arguments and describing the whole thing concerning that. Here is step-by-step instruction how to replace a toilet lever Gently tighten the lock nut, but not too much. Here’s how to replace the handle. Today we’ll learn How To Replace the Lever!. Good plumbing is a key element in a home and sufficient flushing will help keep toilets and bathrooms clean. That isn’t to say that the tank won’t have mineral deposits or black residue in it. Hey, you are right! All Thanks. This is a result of the break down of the rubber gasket or hard water deposits, so you may want to don some rubber gloves. The broken pieces from my old tank lever. Thank goodness the toilet was invented! Most toilet handles thread backward; turn the nut clockwise to loosen it. I worked the black plastic arm into the flush valve and tightened the nut. I’ve tried liquid wrench, and tapped the nut and assembly gently with a hammer, but the nut remains stubbornly “welded†to the inside tank wall. Once you locate the nut, unscrew it. So, no need to worry about contaminated water. We Like As you may know, you can still flush the toilet by taking the lid off and physically pulling the lever up. This makes it easier to remove to do maintenance and repairs. Before securing the new handle, use a soapy sponge or scrubber to clean off any rust or mildew that’s built up on the porcelain around the handle hole. It gives you a wider and easier grip, and is also usually easier to remove and replace, whether it breaks or you just get tired of the style. ); STEP 2 – locate the plastic hex nut/washer combo; using a pair of adjustable pliers, grip the nut tightly (it’s made of soft plastic) and turn CLOCK-WISE to loosen (fig. Once the screws have been removed, each side of the knob should slide apart and be removed from the door. ), the materials that make up the toilet handle are usually corroded or weakened. First, for anyone concerned about putting their hands in “crap water”, let me reassure you that all the repairs I am going to show you are in the tank and the tank holds clean water that is then used to flush the toilet. When you use the toilet handle, the flapper opens, and the water in the tank flows to the bowl to remove the waste, as PlumbingSupply.com explains. Normally when the toilet lever does not cause the toilet to flush it is often because the cistern lever arm has broken, this is much more common than the actual toilet lever itself breaking. On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a two. Carefully pry it off with a flathead screwdriver. These handles are available in a variety of styles and finishes to complement different decorating styles. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use one photo with appropriate credit and link back to PrettyHandyGirl.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.) Remove the tank lid and set it aside in a safe place. Remove the toilet tank cover. Mop out the remaining water from the tank and the bowl with a large sponge. Yes, you can do this, no need to hire a plumber. Remove the metal nut from the new handle, insert the arm into the hole in the toilet, slide the nut back over the arm, and use your fingers to turn the nut onto the handle’s base. May 11, 2017 - Part 1 in a 3 Part Series on toilet repairs. We're homeowners sharing our DIY adventures as we learn to maintain, improve, decorate, and. Next, locate a nut that secures the toilet handle onto the toilet tank. OK. Then I will show you how to replace the fill valve and finally how to replace the overflow tube and flapper assembly. A DIY Blog Empowering You to Complete Your Own Project. Take it off the top of the toilet and set it aside. Home Tech Using your pliers, gently loosen the nut and then remove the lock nut by hand. A front mount or a side mount. 6 nsert the new flush handle and replace the nut on the handle inside the cistern. Learn how your comment data is processed. Types of Toilet Tank Levers. This should fit onto the top of the tank but it will not usually be attached. Thread the lock nut back onto the new lever. Use a soapy scrub sponge to clean any mildew or rust stains off the porcelain around the handle hole. Thanks for making me laugh this morning and so glad I could help. Test the lever by depressing it. Set the lid in a safe place where it can’t be dropped or broken. In order for you to easily fix your toilet problem with only a fraction of your total expense if you were to call a handyman to repair it for you, follow the step-by-step guide listed below. Yikes! From a functional point of view there are two common styles of toilet tank levers. Well, let’s begin! Your comment rocks!!! Fix Your Broken Toilet Handle. Flush the toilet to empty the tank. Follow up with removing the screws securing the latch along the edge of the door. How to Tighten a Toilet Handle. Then they opened their doors or window and threw out the sludge yelling, “gardyloo” loosely translated as “watch out for the water!” How thoughtful of them. 4c; this part is very easy to lose so set it aside AWAY fro… How To REMOVE & REPLACE A Toilet Handle (Lever) - YouTube When you push down on the handle that's located on the outside of the toilet tank on the right hand corner, it makes the trip lever rise. You can see the flapper inside the toilet tank here. If your toilet handle is loose, or if you want to replace it for aesthetic reasons, or if it clear breaks off, here’s what you do: When visiting Scotland, we took a tour of Mary King’s Close we learned about life in Edinburgh before the toilet was invented. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I like the smell of coffee and sawdust in the morning. Tool Review Remove the old flush lever and replace it with the new one. Then turn the new toilet flush handle nut counter-clockwise to install it. Today we’ll learn How To Replace the Lever! I’ll change it. There are several toilet tank lever styles. Adjust the chain so there is a slight amount of slack in the chain. The nut is typically reverse-threaded. Start by turning off the water. When fixing a broken toilet lever, it usually means replacing the toilet handle mechanism (handle and arm) altogether. Home project tutorials. That wasn’t hard, was it? Maybe a little petty, but I don’t get your math: “200 gallons of water a day and 3,000 gallons of water a year” – wha??? Today, I have Part 1 in a 3 Part Series on Toilet Repairs! Go now and hug your porcelain bowls. To do this, lift off the top cover of the toilet tank. The finish on the handle can corrode and look worn. This is one of those projects! Please contact me if you would like to borrow any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. This is the old plastic spud that broke off from the handle. Toilet tank levers are subject to multiple uses each day, making them susceptible to loosening. Thanks for the info. Today we will get your feet wet (no pun intended) by replacing the handle also known as the flush lever. to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email! Set it on a flat surface to make sure it doesn’t fall and crack. Holiday Most of our projects are planned out, weeks or months in advance, and we complete them as scheduled. actually over 300 tons of water. Twisting the nut off the back of the handle will take the gasket with it. Pull off the mounting nut and O-ring from the new handle. Turn the water back on and let the tank fill. In case it’s too tight, use a pipe wrench to loosen it. Step 2: Remove the Toilet Lid "Step 3: Detach the Lift Chain "Step 4: Remove the Handle Mounting Nut "Step 5: Remove the Old Handle "Step 6: Insert the New Handle "Step 7: Fasten the New Handle " Majority of the toilet problems are due to a defective toilet tank lever. Your new toilet handle will come with the lever, mounting nut, and rubber O-ring already attached to it. But, people would still slip and fall in the muck coated walkways. As toilets are very important devices in the homes, it should be given immediate attention if it needs repair. Close the toilet seat cover. Over the next few days I will show you how to replace everything in your tank. how to replace the overflow tube and flapper assembly, http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/fixleak.html, Plumber’s Wrench (must have a wide mouth opening), Handsaw (drywall, coping or hack saw will work. I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your own DIY project. 3. Replace the flapper chain on the new lever rod (picture below shows two chains, but you may only have one.) Ready? The lever is the attachment point for a chain that connects the lever arm to the toilet's flapper on the bottom of the tank. Build it, Fix it and Do it yourself. Stay tuned as I show you how to replace the fill valve and finally how to replace the overflow tube and flapper assembly! Workshop Wednesday. Unscrew lock nut from backside of the toilet lever and remove toilet lever from hole. Learn how to to replace the lever handle today. It’s a pain, but it can be done if you don’t have a replacement lever yet. To remove the existing toilet flush lever, you will need to be able to access the toilet tank. How to Make a Toilet Tank Lever More Snug. Turn off the water shut-off valve for your toilet and press the lever … I looked under the tank hood (lid) years ago and thought, whew this will be expensive to replace because it appears everything is self contained. Remove the flapper chain from the end of the rod attached to the lever. Drain the Toilet . Just a little note: the nut may turn in the opposite direction than you would expect. Take the lid off the toilet cistern and unhook and remove the trip lever. Home Maintenance Remove the lid to your tank. So, you’ll need to turn it clockwise with your adjustable wrench to remove it. 4b – to be discarded later); STEP 4 – use a pair of needle nose pliers to emove the cotter pin (fig. Turn off the toilet's water supply valve by turning the valve handle clockwise until it stops. All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. The nut and assembly connected to the toilet handle is corroded and stuck to the inside of the toilet tank. 2. The handle is connected to a lever, or arm, that is inside the toilet tank. How to Install a Universal Toilet Tank Lever. While it may be possible to simply repair the existing handle (no, not with duct tape! 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Back onto the top of the door muck coated walkways 4 - remove the nut in safe! And then there are projects that we give you the best experience our...