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Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement

What you need

  1. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Tank Lid: step 1, image 1 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Tank Lid: step 1, image 2 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Tank Lid: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the tank lid up and away from the toilet tank.

  2. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Shutting off the Water Supply to a Toilet: step 2, image 1 of 2 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Shutting off the Water Supply to a Toilet: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Shut off the stop valve underneath the toilet by turning it clockwise until it becomes hand tight.

    • The appearance of this valve may differ from toilet to toilet, but most operate the same. Some valves require multiple turns to stop the water while others only require a quarter turn.

  3. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Draining a Toilet Tank: step 3, image 1 of 2 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Draining a Toilet Tank: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Push down the flush lever.

    • Hold the lever down until water stops draining from the tank.

    • A small amount of water will remain in the bottom of the tank.

    • If the flush lever or pull chain have become disconnected, lift up the toilet flapper to drain the tank.

  4. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Sponge Drying a Toilet Tank: step 4, image 1 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Sponge Drying a Toilet Tank: step 4, image 2 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Sponge Drying a Toilet Tank: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Use a sponge to soak up and remove any remaining water from the toilet tank.

    • Periodically squeeze the excess water from the sponge.

  5. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Supply Tube: step 5, image 1 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Supply Tube: step 5, image 2 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Supply Tube: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Place a bucket under the supply tube to catch any dripping water.

    • Turn the coupling nut on the supply tube clockwise until it releases from the threaded shank on the bottom of the tank.

  6. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Tank Assembly: step 6, image 1 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Tank Assembly: step 6, image 2 of 3 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement, Tank Assembly: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Using a socket wrench to hold the nuts, unscrew the two tank bolts with a screwdriver.

    • When reattaching the tank, tighten the bolts with a screwdriver, rather than tightening the nuts. Alternately tighten each bolt in increments, until the tank fits snugly against the toilet.

    • Avoid over-tightening the tank bolts. Too much force can easily crack the toilet tank or toilet bowl.

  7. Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Toilet Tank Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the tank up from the lower half of the toilet.

    • Set the tank on a thick towel to avoid scraping it against the floor.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

11 other people completed this guide.

Ron Davis

Member since: 02/17/15

31,101 Reputation

13 Guides authored

3 Comments

Step 5: Clockwise or counter-clockwise depends upon whether you are looking down at the coupling nut from above or up at it from below.

I suspect that, unless it has a left-handed thread, most people would turn it in the direction that works.

John Pretz - Reply

Close your eyes. Attaching something, the turning motion is (usually) clockwise: Righty-tighty; lefty-loosey.

M J McAllister - Reply

Thank you for the info.

DonnaRHellman - Reply

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