Keeping the toilet flush in good working condition makes environmental and economical sense. It could save a lot of water and money.
Toilets with a push-down button flush are very popular in homes. Toilet flush buttons are modern innovation for a toilet, as they used to be flushed by using a hanging chain feeding into the cistern of the toilet. With innovations, comes new challenges.
You never thought about how to fix a toilet flush until you break yours. When your toilet flush stops working and you don’t the know first thing about fixing it or replacing it. It can cause real trouble and make the toilet impossible to use. You might have to use the conventional bucket of water method.
Fixing the Toilet flush button is a DIY thing.
In this guide, we will walk you through the tools needed to fix or replace your toilet flush button.
All you need to do is to follow this guide step by step from start to finish.
Table of Contents
Tools you need to fix or replace a toilet flush button:
Before you start learning how to fix or replace a toilet button, you need all the tools to complete this task. Fortunately, you don’t need plenty of them, so you know it’s a pretty easy job. Bellow, there is a list of tools required to solve this issue that you are having with your push button toilet flush. When you will open the toilet cistern, you will see whether you are dealing with a top-press dual flush valve or a flexi mount.
Now the question is what tools do you need to fix it?
- A flathead screwdriver
- A pair of grips
- A cloth / Towel
Tools requirements might change depending on the nature of the toilet fix. The good news is, you will find most of the needed tools in your toolbox.
Steps to change a Toilet Flush Button:
- Cut off the water supply
- Take out the Cistern Lid
- Draining of Water
- Pull out the Cistern
- Remove the old Flush Valve
- Install the New Flushing Mechanism
- Put the Cistern back
- Adjust the Flush valve
- Change the Flush Button
- Turn On the Water
Cut off water supply:
First thing first, cut off the water supply. This is what most people forget to do and this is the most important step of the process. If you don’t do this, you are going to need some towels for sure. Modern toilets have an isolation valve, turn it off before you get started. This will cut down the water supply to the toilet only.
Take out the Cistern Lid:
This is a kind of refill tube inside the cistern, lift the lid and dis-connect the refill from the lid. Place the lid down somewhere safe also take out the old button. It’s not that difficult all you just need to do is to undo the back nut. Clean the rim of the hole and now it’s ready for the new button. Be gentle with the lid.
Draining of Water:
Before you proceed any further, make sure to flush down the system and you will be able to clear out the cistern. It will avoid the risk of flooding everything in the bathroom. You can flush out the system easily depending upon the nature of the flush mechanism. If there is any water left, don’t worry about it.
Pull out the Cistern:
Pulling out and replacing of a flush button is easier when you remove the cistern completely. You won’t be able to replace it without taking the cistern out. Take the screwdriver and carefully take out the screws holding the tank to the wall. Remove the wing nuts underneath the cistern and the pipes that go into the tank.
Remove the old Flush Valve:
You will find a rubber gasket, right at the base of the cistern. Use grips to remove the metal clamp and check if the rubber washer is still in good condition. If the condition of the rubber washer is good, you can reuse it. Remove the flush valve from the tank and then give it a wiggle to slide around the hole.
Install the New Flushing Mechanism:
Installation of the new flushing mechanism can be a pain to fit. Pull out the washer and remove the nut by hand, then move the seal up. Add the new valve through the cistern and hold it in place. Now put back the rubber gasket.
Put the Cistern back:
Now it’s time to reserve the process of taking the cistern off the wall and putting it all back altogether. Start with the bolts, then put the cistern back in place. Tighten the wing nut to hold the cistern to the toilet bowl. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws and make sure that the cistern is ready.
Adjust the Flush valve:
Set up the flush valve to a position that allows the floats to move up and down without getting stuck. Run the test, once the water supply is back on.
Change the Flush Button:
This is the easiest part; all you need to do is unscrew the nut at the back. Fit the button before tightening, then connect the button to the rest of the toilet system and add the lid.
Turn On the Water:
Finally, now it’s time to put all the toilet’s assembly back into the water supply. Be very careful, when it comes to stone made equipment, you don’t want to break anything. Flush the toilet to check if the button is working or not. Look for any kind of leaks to make sure, if you have assembled the toilet properly.
The process of repairing and replacing of toilet flush button is not that hard thing to do. If you still feel like your toilet is not working, maybe now it’s time for you to call a professional plumbing service in your area.
