How to Repair a Noisy Toilet | Ask This Old House

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a new flush valve. (See below for shopping list, tools, and steps.)

Shopping List for How to Repair a Noisy Toilet:
- Replacement flush valve

Tools List for How to Repair a Noisy Toilet:
- Pliers, for loosening and tightening hex nuts
- Slotted screwdriver and open-end wrench, for removing the tank bolts
- Large sponge or cotton cloth, for sopping up water

Steps for How to Repair a Noisy Toilet:
1. Close the shutoff valve behind the toilet to stop the flow of water.
2. Remove the lid from the toilet tank. Flush the toilet and hold down the flush lever to drain as much water from the tank as possible.
3. Use a large sponge or cotton cloth to sop up the remaining water from inside the tank.
4. Disconnect the water-supply line from the underside of the toilet tank.
5. Use a slotted screwdriver and open-end wrench to remove the two bolts that hold the toilet tank to the bowl.
6. Lift the tank off the bowl and use pliers to remove the large nut on the underside of the tank. Remove the old flush valve from the tank.
7. Install a new flush valve to the tank; securely tighten the mounting nut with pliers.
8. Attach two new brass bolts to the tank.
9. Place the rubber spud gasket onto the bottom of the flush valve, then set the tank onto the toilet bowl.
10. Put washers and hex nuts onto the brass bolts, then alternately tighten the nuts to secure the tank to the bowl. Be careful not to overtighten the nuts or you'll crack the toilet.
11. Reconnect the water-supply line to the underside of the tank.
12. Adjust the flapper chain to the correct length.
13. Turn the water back on and flush the toilet to ensure it's operating properly and quietly. Adjust the flapper and overflow tube, if necessary.

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How to Repair a Noisy Toilet | Ask This Old House

[SlimRhyno]

I love This Old House, have for years, but this was the first time I actually tried to fix something myself using one of your YouTube videos. Long story short, my toilet is fixed and you all are awesome! Thanks for everything you guys and gals do, and please keep it up 🤙

[JDgiggles]

I want to thank you. I was able to take care of my toilet, my sink. And my shower because of the tips I have learned watching this show

[ariapl]

I am plumber from 🇨🇦 he is very professional plumber

[savelikeaprowithleah]

I have been binge watching all the videos! Very Useful ! Thanks for sharing!

[goodtalker]

I have always used nuts and washers on the bottom of my tanks before setting the tank back onto the bowl. I'm glad I see you do it, Richard....probably not a necessity, but a good idea, none the less.

[tmq]

Rich I've respected your work for years. You really know your stuff.

[thalesnemo]

I just love how all the hardware comes apart SO EASILY! I have to drill out one of the those BRASS screws since it will not turn!

[TheStewpig]

Pause at 0:26, why wouldn't you adjust the screw on the fill valve first. It looked like the water level was already too high in the tank and constantly overflowing in the overflow. Should have unscrewed the adjustment screw first on camera to show if that was the problem. Could have been a cheap and easy fix if that was the issue.

[Rhaspun]

I just did a rebuild of my toilet tank. It looked like the old gasket on the drain valve was starting to disintegrate. I was getting a leak that I tried to fix by replacing the flapper gasket, but the leak persisted. That's when I looked closer at the drain valve gasket. The gasket looked fuzzy and small bits would float off if I touched it. The overflow tube was adjustable just like in the video. Easy install. Although I had to replace the supply line stop valve as the old one wouldn't completely turn off the water. I also decided to replace the hose line connecting the tank and stop valve. The refill valve, drain valve and replacement mounting screws all installed just like in the video. I had also worried about having metal washers touching on the tank so I bought some rubber gaskets just to be safe.

[Fkidd]

That's the cool thing about toilets. You can change pretty much every single part and it's a new toilet

[shaunlowe]

I need this guy with me. He explains everything in a way that allows even dummies to understand how complicated it is. Cause when I exsplain they seem to think any monkey can do it. Like there's no skill

[JamesAutoDude]

Lol she really doesn't care she just wants it fixed 🤣

[felixmadison]

It makes it much easier to remove water from the tank if you close the toilet lid and set a plastic container on it. Then as soon as you bring the sponge, (which is much better than a rag) up over the tank the water goes right into the container, and not all over the place.

[juanmunoz]

Thank you for making this videos the way you explain makes everything looks so easy

[rasheedmusa]

All thanks to u sir, am so greatful for having you.

[jeffcanyafixiy]

I always check the bottom of the "flapper" our flush valve. It often has a build up kind of a slim that won't allow it to seat water tight. Wipe it clean, , , occasionally does the trick. 👍👍
Always enjoy your videos!!

[ilovefunnyamvnd]

2:57. now you see, this is probably what my dad missed when replacing the flush valve, i dont think they included a spud gasket. ended up being an emergency replacement of the entire it was an early dual flush that was always finicky (trying to defend mistakes)

[barrygioportmorien]

I am surprised that Richard did not investigate and diagnose the problem. It was more likely a leaking flapper. I have had the same problem because the water level would drop, and after sometimes hours, it would refill, which was the noise heard. I took the flapper out and there was a break in the flapper, where it connects to the chain. Replaced the flapper and success.

[tenthdimension]

Why wouldn't the very first course of action be a new flapper? They're under 2 bucks and can be installed in 2 minutes. It solves this problem 95% of the time. And vice a versa 95% of the time the two bolts are so corroded that it's almost impossible to get them off.

[tectorama]

The type of job I used to do a lot before I retired. The filler valve looked as though it had been
replaced recently, it was too clean :) ... I would have put silicone around those bolts just to make sure.
I was surprised they didn't come with wing nuts. ...I would have also put a flush valve in which had a push
button control. Much nicer to operate,