One of the most unpleasant situations that occur at home, in the office, at the enterprise, etc., is not without reason that failure of the toilet fittings is recognized. You must admit that so much tangible inconvenience will not be created by a torn crane or a burned out lamp.
This problem can be immediately eliminated if you know how to choose and correctly install the valve for the toilet. We will tell you in great detail which device is needed to close the flow of water into the tank, and which one to drain it from there.
Here you will find complete information about the types of plumbing valves, the rules for their selection depending on the design of tanks and installation methods. In our proposed article, reliable information, supplemented by useful schemes, photos and videos.
Types of toilet flaps
The most common type of fittings for the toilet is separate. It is used on all the most popular models of toilet cisterns and includes mechanisms for draining and collecting water, which are installed and work autonomously.
Exhaust valves can be divided into types according to the method of actuation:
- Push. Triggered by pressing the button.
- Exhaust. The drain mechanism is actuated by lifting up the stem locking the drain hole.
- Lever. The lever itself can be placed on the tank or below, near the toilet. The device is triggered by pressing the lever.
The lever system is used mainly in public restrooms because of the budget price, simple design and maintainability.
Toilet inlet and drain valves are elements of the same system, but perform completely different functions
Push type devices, in turn, can also be divided into types:
- single-level exhaust valve (with single-mode drain) - equipped with one button, when pressed, all contents are drained from the tank;
- single-level valve with stop mode - in such a device, the first pressing leads to the supply of water to the toilet, the second stops draining;
- exhaust valve two-level (two-mode) - The drain button consists of two keys, one of which drains part of the water, the second completely empties the tank.
Models of shut-off valves can be divided by the method of water supply: for lateral connection and for lower water inlet.
As well as structural features:
- Piston device. The intake mechanism has a piston which is driven by a lever. A gasket installed at the end of the piston blocks the flow of water into the tank.
- Diaphragm valve This is the most modern device. Instead of a piston gasket, a silicone or rubber membrane is installed in it. It allows you to silently and quickly collect water, but is very sensitive to its purity - this is the main drawback that often leads to malfunctions.
In addition to separate valves, there is also a combined valve design in which two valves - the inlet and the shutoff - are combined into one system. The work of one depends on the health of the other.
Installing and adjusting the fittings can cause some difficulty for the lay person. In the event of failure of one of the elements of the system, it is necessary to completely change the entire mechanism.
There are many varieties of models of intake valves, but the differences between them are not too significant. The design of the float and the diaphragm valve is the main thing that changes and improves in these devices
The principle of operation of the drain and filler valve
The principle of operation of the filling valve is based on the action of the float, which, when filling the tank with water, rises and drives the valve through the rod.
As soon as the water reaches a certain level, the valve shuts off the water.
The device of the drain tank may differ in appearance, but the principle is very similar, and once you understand how the filling and draining mechanism works, it will not be difficult to deal with any of them
In a calm state, the drain mechanism prevents water from escaping, but it works as soon as the button is pressed.
At the same time, its design provides protection against overflow. Protection is necessary in the event of a malfunction of the toilet float valve, which suddenly stops blocking the water. Then, filling the tank, water flows out and floods the room.
To prevent this from happening, a drain pipe is provided in the drain valve body. If the fittings are working properly, then the end of the tube rises above the water level.
In the event of an inlet valve malfunction, the tip is below the water level, and then excess fluid enters the pipe and drains into the toilet.
The flush tank fitting is a set of devices with valves designed to regulate the flow, set and withdrawal of tap water from the tank:
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Drain valve in tank fittings
Attaching the drain valve to the tank bottom
Locking valve chain
Button for activating the drain valve
Connection of push-button mechanism with drain valve
Water inlet valve
Bottom tap water connection
Air-filled Adjustable Pear
General characteristics of shutoff valves
Drainage and shutoff valves must withstand sudden pressure drops. On average, the operating indicator is from 0.4 to 15 atm.
The water temperature at which the device will work normally is in the range from 2 to 45 ° C. The working resource is about 150-200 thousand cycles.
Almost every drain or fill device can be adjusted by adjusting to the height of the flushing tank
As a material for the production of a check valve for a toilet, use:
- High pressure polyethylene. The denser this material, the higher its strength. At the same time, an increase in density reduces its impact resistance at low temperatures.
- ABS plastic (chemical compound acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The material is resistant to mechanical stress, abrasion, aggressive chemicals, insensitive to temperature extremes.
For each valve model, the manufacturer indicates the permissible height of the tank, it can be from 295 to 500 mm.
It is also important to pay attention to the connection size - if it does not match, use the adapter ring.
Installation and adjustment of the intake valve
The purpose of the inlet valve for the toilet is to adjust the intake of water into the toilet bowl. The valve provides silent and quick filling: about 7 liters in 20–45 seconds.
It is equipped with a filter with a mesh size of about 200 microns. In case of clogging, it can be cleaned and washed with water without removing it from the tank. The float in such a device may be open, or may be located inside the protective housing.
Reinstalling the float valve is simple enough. In models with a lower connection, the valve must be installed before mounting the tank.
A rubber gasket is put on the device’s tube, turning its conical side to the hole in the tank. Then the valve is pushed into the water inlet, put on a plastic washer (if included) and fix with a nut. First tighten the nut by hand, and then tighten with a wrench.
It is very important to ensure tightness by correctly installing the rubber gaskets. In models with lateral connection, leakage protection is not so important, there the water supply is located above the filling level of the tank.
You also need to pay attention to the fact that the float in the tank does not touch anything, otherwise it will not be able to freely rise or fall along with the water level.
It is also important to set the float so that the water level is 15 cm below the edge of the tank. Some models provide for adjusting the level of the tank filling. With it, you can adjust the filling of the tank in full or half
A flexible hose is connected to the water riser through a tap using FUM tape. The shut-off valve is installed without fail. If necessary, repair work, it will block the water.
Restoring the health of the float valve is as follows:
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Before starting work, turn off the water supply to the tank
Press the lever or button of the flushing device to empty the tank completely, and dry it with a sponge from the inside
Unscrew the fasteners holding the float valve to allow adjustment and replacement if necessary
If the float or its holder interferes with the repair operations, we will move them
Inspect the membrane of the float valve. If it is damaged, take it with us to the store to buy a similar one for replacement
To ensure normal operation of the float valve, remove the mineral deposits, dissolving it with ordinary vinegar and rubbing with a brush
We install a new one at the regular place of the damaged membrane, after which we return the float to its place and twist the fasteners around it
We open the hose blocked before work, supplying water from the flushing tank. We monitor how the float reacts to changes in the water level in the tank. If necessary, adjust its height
Step 1: Turn off the water supply to the tank
Step 2: Completely emptying the flush tank
Step 3: Unscrew the fasteners of the float valve
Step 4: Move the float holder
Step 5: Inspecting the Float Valve Membrane
Step 6: Removing Calcium Plaque Around The Valve
Step 7: Installing a new membrane and reassembling
Step 8: Checking the operation of the repaired valve
If a leak is detected in the shut-off valve area, the troubleshooting steps are fixed in the following order:
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Step 1: Removing the sealing nut
Step 2: Removing the shut-off device
Step 3: Inspect and clean the washers around the valve
Step 4: Install Cleaned or New Washers
Mounting and adjusting the exhaust valve
The drain valve mechanism is designed to supply water to the toilet. Manufacturers produce many different device configurations.
For example, for the economical use of water, a two-level reinforcement has been developed in which the drain can be full or partial. Single-level devices are sometimes equipped with a “stop” system, which stops the draining process as soon as the button is released.
When purchasing a device, you need to pay attention to the material from which the locking pads are made.
If earlier domestic manufacturers used only rubber, now it is increasingly being made of silicone. This material has no mechanical memory, is not deformed.
Silicone and rubber gaskets and a tapered protrusion on the valve seat create several protection factors and prevent valve leakage.
Installation of fittings in steps
If the drain mechanism is broken or out of date, there is no need to change the toilet tank - you just need to replace the faulty element.
Do you want to replace the toilet bowl with a new one? A detailed replacement guide is provided in our other article.
Even if the toilet model is out of date, the manufacturer releases a new, but suitable device. It is better, of course, that the tank and stop valves belong to the same brand.
The valve kit for flushing includes a flush valve, a gasket, adapter ring, mounting the tank to the toilet bowl, as well as detailed installation instructions
Further, the installation of the drain valve will be shown on the example of a device for dual-mode drain with a cable. Set the tank on the toilet. To do this, put the gasket 14 on the base of the valve 12.
You may also be interested in information on choosing and replacing a gasket between the toilet and the tank.
Schematic representation of valve components. Knowing the device of this device, it is easier to configure and adjust it
The valve is installed in the tank opening and the nut 15 is tightened on the outside, onto which the gasket 16 is then put on. It will ensure the tightness of the connection.
Bolts 13 are installed in the mounting holes in a certain sequence.
It is important to maintain the sequence of fastening of the bolts 13 and do not forget to carry out their intermediate fastening to the tank
Set the cable mechanism. Its end is fixed in the beam 8 so that the plastic casing is fully engaged.
Then lower the body of the drain valve 9 into the base 12 and fix it by turning to the right. Check if the device of the walls of the tank and the mechanism of the intake valve touch.
Before installing the cable mechanism, check the reliability of fixing the cable in the holder. If it is released during transportation or installation, it must be secured.
Next, adjust the height of the overflow tube 7. To do this, first turn it clockwise to remove it from the lock. After setting the required height, it is again blocked by turning it counterclockwise.
If the height of the pipe is correctly adjusted, the water filling level should not rise closer than 20 mm to the edge of the overflow pipe.
The edge of the overflow tube, in turn, in the presence of a side opening of the tank (for connecting to the water supply), should be 10 or more millimeters lower than it.
Next, fix the push button on the tank cap. A special holder is designed for this. Connect the button to the cable so that it does not twist and does not cling to the filling valve. In tanks with a non-standard hole, an adapter ring is used.
If necessary, you can adjust the level of water filling in the toilet flush tank using the settings of the inlet valve.
In a properly installed device, the valve ring, when the button is pressed and released, should freely fall and close the hole to drain the water. If this does not happen, then you need to adjust the length of the cable by rotating the knob
Water Drain Adjustment
The volume of water remaining after a complete drain can be changed using regulator 10 on the toilet valve body.
To increase the remainder, it is raised; to decrease, it is lowered. Adjust the valve so that the water completely drains from the tank by lowering the regulator all the way down.
To adjust the full or partial drain, manufacturers provide for a mechanism for adjustment, which allows you to set the required amount of flushed water
By a similar principle, a small drain is also regulated. But, nevertheless, there are some differences. In some models, the adjustment lever is freely accessible; in others, the lever must be unlocked by turning it to the right.
And then, when raising the lever, the drain volume will decrease, when lowering it, vice versa.
If the drain tank is full, the overflow pipe must be adjusted. To do this, as well as during installation, it must be turned clockwise and set the required height. Then it is fixed back by turning in the opposite direction
After installation and adjustment, the system is checked for operability - the small and large drain buttons should fulfill their functions.
When a small button is pressed, a small drain should work, a large one should empty the tank almost completely, depending on the settings.
Different valve models can be configured in their own way, but the general meaning of the settings is preserved - it is based on the principle of the system
You may also find useful information on how to properly disassemble the drain tank.
Maintenance of drain and inlet fittings
Since almost any tap water contains mechanical and chemical impurities, it is necessary to flush the equipment from time to time - a locking ring, a water filter for the toilet.
Sand grains, deposits of salts and rust, can damage equipment.
To avoid severe contamination, the ring is washed with water. To get to it, unscrew the drain button, remove the tank cap. Pull the valve body by turning it counterclockwise.
To eliminate leaks in the area of the drain valve, it is most often required to replace it:
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Step 1: Turn off the water and drain the tank
Step 2: Loosen the nut on the water supply to the tank
Step 3: Unscrew the flush cistern to the toilet
Step 4: Removing the reservoir to replace the valve
Step 5: Removing the Old Valve with Lock Nut
Step 6: Cut Out the Drain Valve Pipe
Step 7: Installing a New Drain Valve
Step 8: Reinstall and Attach the Tank
They clean parts without the use of aggressive detergents, such as those containing abrasive particles, organic solvents, alkaline or acidic substances.
The locking ring of the toilet flush mechanism is also removed for cleaning. To remove it, you must first remove the lock
How the drain tank fittings work:
How to install the toilet bowl, tank, drain and fill valves:
Everyone knows the truth: if you want to do well, do it yourself. This also applies to the installation of valves for the toilet. Having understood the technical nuances, you will be able to independently install and configure the fittings.
Have you repeatedly changed the drain tank fittings and can you give useful recommendations to beginners in this matter? Feel free to share your experience. Or do you have questions about installation or adjustment? Ask them, please, in the comments below this article.