The most vulnerable component of the toilet is a container for collecting water. Most often it is her who has to be changed. Replacing the toilet bowl is much cheaper and much more practical than acquiring a new plumbing kit. In addition, you can save money if you find a suitable tank and install it with your own hands. Do you agree?
We will tell you how to correctly select a tank for restoring the functionality of an important plumbing facility. Here you will learn how to dismantle a used tank and install new equipment. Subject to our recommendations, replacement activities will be seamless.
We offer proven methods, provide detailed instruction. Visual perception of information will provide illustrations, photo and video guides.
Types of toilets and flush tanks
Over the centuries of the existence of toilets, the principle of their engineering structure has changed little. Current manufacturers produce four types of sanitary ware for toilets.
Compact. In this version of the toilet, the back of the bowl has a platform for installing a removable tank, the fastening of which is carried out using two long bolts. The advantage of the compact is the convenience of repairing drain valves in case of breakage.
The disadvantage of "Compact" is the structural angularity, due to which hard-to-reach dirt and fungus constantly accumulate on its rear surface
Monoblock. This type of toilet has the appearance of a single ceramic block combining a bowl and a water tank located behind. This design is easy to mount, and it is possible to lean on the toilet while sitting.
When choosing a monolithic toilet bowl, it is recommended to buy models that have standardized drain valves, otherwise, if one drain valve breaks, it may be necessary to completely replace the plumbing
Separated. This design of the toilet involves placing the tank at a certain height and connecting it to the bowl with a hose or pipe. Separate plumbing is typical for public places where there is a high probability of tank displacement and leakage.
Separate toilets are convenient if there is no possibility of bringing a water hose near the bowl, because you can even hang the tank on the side of the toilet seat
Hidden. This type of toilet is also called suspended, it is mounted on a frame hidden behind the casing - installation. Only a bowl is visible, and the drain tank and other structural elements are hidden in a decorative box or behind a wall.
It is advisable to check the operability of the toilet bowl before covering the installation, because the equipment laid down by the tiles will be very difficult to repair
The tank in the installation separately is almost never replaced, therefore, in the event of a breakdown of the internal mechanism, the main problem is the dismantling of the wall or drywall box to access the frame.
The most difficult is the dismantling of the compact toilet flush tank. This is due to the peculiarities of the location of the plumbing and the minimum free space for work.
Scheme of the toilet bowl
A standard home drain tank consists of:
- housing;
- float mechanism;
- trigger mechanism.
The tank can be attached to the toilet in various ways. Manufacturers usually do not place fasteners directly on the drain hole, but place fixing bolts on each side of it.
Plastic and brass bolts are preferred for fixing, because the steel quickly rusts, and subsequently there may be problems with loosening the nuts
To seal the tank between it and the toilet bowl lies a rubber gasket, which is then simply pressed by the side fasteners.
The internal configuration of the drain tank differs in different models. The mechanism can be either an elementary stopper with a float, or a cartridge that includes at the same time all the necessary tools for draining.
The cartridge does not require adjustment and is easy to install, but if any internal part breaks, you will need to buy a new device
The cover is fixed on the outside by a clamping decorative nut near the drain button, which a novice plumber might not know about.
When replacing the drain tank, the scheme of its operation is not so important, because the internal mechanisms in a new product are usually either installed inside, or an individual installation instruction is attached to them.
Reasons for replacing the drain tank
Direct failure of the drain tank rarely causes its replacement due to the fact that it consists only of a ceramic container with a lid and fasteners. There is simply nothing to fail.
People are forced to change the drain tank, leaving the old toilet bowl in place, for such reasons:
- Mechanical damagethat lead to the destruction of the drain tank or carry the risk of subsequent injury to people.
- Obsolete design. Separate tanks for this reason are the easiest to change because they usually do not require structural compatibility with the toilet bowl.
- Damage to the internal drainage mechanism with the impossibility of replacing it. This annoying reason is typical for exclusive toilet models, whose components are hard to find even on the Internet.
Replacing the toilet flush cistern is always cheaper than acquiring a new full set of plumbing. The only problem may be finding a model compatible with the old toilet bowl.
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Sealed water tank
Crack on the body and cover of the plumbing
Damage to the functional openings of the container
Outwardly invisible microcracks
It often happens that instead of installing a new flushing tank, it is enough just to repair the tank. Check out repair options for breakdowns. It is possible that your option is described there.
Choosing a new drain tank
The attachment points of the drain tank to the bowl are not standardized, so there is no guarantee that it will be possible to find the necessary tank on the old toilet bowl. You can choose a similar model of the same company, but over the years of operation, usually all labels are erased, and it is impossible to determine the name of the device.
But you can find the company name on the decorative washer near the drain button. In extreme cases, you will first need to dismantle the drain tank, photograph the shelf of the toilet bowl, take the dimensions, and then with all this go to the store and try to find the necessary model.
It is also required to measure the distance between the axes of the two holes for mounting the tank to the toilet bowl.
Replacing the compact type drain tank
Toilets with an attached flush cistern are the most common because of the cheapness and ease of mounting. They can be installed on any section of the toilet, where it is possible to organize water supply and drainage.
Stage # 1. Selection of tools and materials
To independently change the drain tank, a person must take care of the availability of such tools and materials:
- new tank with internal drainage mechanism;
- gaskets and fasteners;
- spanners;
- silicone sealant;
- screwdriwer set;
- new flexible hoses;
- hacksaw for metal (if necessary).
The proposed list is minimal and does not imply the presence of serious problems when dismantling equipment.
Stage # 2. Dismantling the tank on the Compact
Removing the drain tank from the ceramic bowl begins with draining it and turning off the water supply. To do this, the water supply pipe or hose is closed and a complete drain is made. At the bottom of the tank a little water remains, which can subsequently get wet with a rag.
The second step is to remove the cover, which is fixed with a decorative nut-button. It does not perform the sealing function, therefore, it must be unscrewed by hand without effort
After removing the cover, unscrew the water hose. Its location can be completely different. The nozzle of the drain mechanism can be located on the side, bottom or back of the drain tank.
When loosening the nut with a wrench with your second hand, you must hold the water supply mechanism inside the toilet.
Using old hoses is dangerous because their rubber tubes are short-lived and can leak at an unexpected moment.
Then you need to unscrew the fixing nuts under the toilet bowl. If the plumbing has been in the toilet for many years and the room is constantly damp, then the bolts with the nut can rust so much that their unscrewing becomes impossible.
In this case, it remains only to carefully cut the bolts. There is no other way to dismantle the tank.
When the edges of the nut are completely eaten with rust, you can moisten the connection with a special solvent liquid, and then try to unscrew the fastening with pliers
After loosening the fixing bolts, the drain tank can be lifted up and removed. A rubber pad should remain on the toilet bowl, which is recommended to be replaced with a new one. A set of rubber bands is usually included with the purchased drain tank.
Be sure to wipe the shelf of the toilet from dirt, fungus and rust.
A good cleaning of the rubber pad prevents potential water leakage during subsequent installation of the drain tank on the toilet
After mounting and attaching a new flush cistern to the toilet casing, there will be no convenient opportunity to wipe this place.
Stage # 3. Installing a new drain tank
After selecting and acquiring a new suitable drain tank, you can proceed with its installation.
There are two openings in the toilet flush tank: for the fill valve (A) and for the drain valve mechanism (B)
Before mounting the float and trigger mechanisms into the tank, it is advisable to check the structural compatibility of the lower outlet with the gasket and toilet bowl.
If all the elements are compatible and the tank stands firmly and firmly on the toilet, then you can proceed with its step-by-step installation.
Step one. Installing the drain valve mechanism. To do this, put a sealing ring on the valve pipe and insert the device into the bottom hole of the tank.
Then you need to put on another sealing gum from the outside and fix the drain mechanism to the toilet bowl with a plastic nut
The final clamping of the plastic nut must be carried out in the vertical position of the drain tank, in order to avoid distortions and subsequent leakage of water
It is not necessary to clamp it tightly with a key, manual effort will be enough.
Second step. Installing a filler valve. Its branch pipe can exit from either side of the tank, depending on the model.
Fixing takes place according to the same method as the drain valve mechanism: the nozzle with seal is protruded into the hole and fixed with a special nut
The pipe coming out of the toilet is made of plastic, so you should not pinch it excessively - you can loosen the threaded connection
If water is supplied from below, there is a risk of water leakage. Therefore, it is recommended that you lubricate the outer gasket and the threaded joint with silicone before tightening.
Step three. Installation of a sealant. A rubber sleeve is put on the outlet pipe of the drain valve. In some models, it is more convenient to put it in a groove on the shelf of the toilet bowl. Although this large sealant will not be pressurized, it is recommended to lubricate it on both sides with a thin layer of sealant.
Before installing the gasket in the inlet of the toilet bowl, it is possible to install flow extenders that contribute to an even distribution of water around the perimeter of the seat
Fourth step. Fixing the drain tank to the bowl. It is necessary to smoothly and clearly combine the outlet of the tank with the corresponding opening of the toilet bowl. Through channels for fixing bolts can serve as an excellent guide to the correct location: if you look at them exactly from top to bottom, the floor should be visible.
We stick plastic or metal bolts into the mounting holes and gently tighten them from the bottom with nuts.
Tighten the nuts, alternating efforts on both sides of the drain tank. The slightest misalignment can lead to the displacement of the rubber cuff and leakage
Do not forget to put cone-shaped gaskets on the bolts on the inside of the drain tank.
Fifth step. Screwing the flexible hose to the filler valve.
In a new tank, the location of the filler pipe may be different, therefore, it is necessary to choose the length of the flexible hoses taking into account the changed distance between the tank and the water system
After attaching the hoses, you can open the water and look at the operation of the float mechanism with the tank lid open. If the float worked normally, then a test discharge of water should be carried out.
Sixth step. Screwing on the cover and drain button. The drain valve mechanism is actuated by a button, which is usually screwed into its upper part. As a result, the valve body is in a stretch between the drain hole at the bottom and the button at the top.
The mechanism for fixing the cap may differ from the above, so carefully read the instructions attached to the tank. On installation of a cover of a tank its installation ends. Subsequently, you can install the toilet seat, clean the bathroom and comfortably use the new equipment.
PORTA toilet bowl installation photo guide
We begin the process of installing the drain tank with an introduction to the components and with the assembly of the drain valve. Its feature is a non-separable button mechanism, which will have to be completely changed in case of breakage, and the presence of a pear in the water collection system.
Before starting work on installing a new drain tank, you need to familiarize yourself with the equipment, check the availability of all required parts and assemble the drain valve
After successfully completing the valve assembly steps, we proceed to install the tank and attach it to the toilet:
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Step 1: Install the O-ring
Step 2: Install the drain valve in the tank
Step 3: Preparing Fasteners to Fix the Tank
Step 4: Bolt Drain Tank
We check how smoothly the tank is installed. We fix it by tightening the nuts evenly. To avoid complications during the installation of fittings, we study the components:
For the proper installation of the locking device, we get acquainted with its structural details
Then proceed to the installation of fittings:
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We unscrew the button from the water drain mechanism, so that after installation in the valve tank, you can put on the cover and fasten the button on top
We immerse the push-button mechanism in the tank, insert it into the bracket available at the drain valve. We connect the chain to one of the three holes in the lever so that it sags freely
With the cone-shaped rubber gasket narrowing down, we put it on the thread and put it into the hole
Under the tank, from below, tighten the installed valve with a standard nut. We connect a half-inch adapter and we connect water
Now adjust the height of the water column in the tank. To do this, first weaken the lamb on the pear. Then we lift the pear up until the water stops flowing into the tank. Fix the nut
If the level was set too high or too low, we change the position of the pear as in the previous step. The optimal water volume is 6/7 full tank
We check whether the length of the shut-off valve tube is suitable, whether water is sprayed because of it during the discharge and filling of the toilet bowl. If necessary, trim it in fact
After making sure that the fittings are working properly, close the toilet bowl lid and fasten the button to the button mechanism stem
Step 5: Unscrew the drain button from the mechanism
Step 6: Install the push button mechanism
Step 7: Install another cone-shaped gasket
Step 8: Tighten the Valve with the Nut Bottom of the Tank
Step 9: Adjusting the Water Level in the Tank
Step 10: Setting the exact water level in the tank
Step 11: Checking the Length of the Shutoff Valve Tube
Step 12: Installing the cover and screwing on the drain button
Replacing the drain tank of a separate toilet bowl
Replacing the drain tank on separate toilets is much easier than on Compacts. The equipment is either fixed to the wall with special mounts, or the case is screwed directly to a vertical concrete slab.
Screws or bolts must be loosened carefully, because the holes in the wall can come in handy for fastening a new drain tank
After removing the old tank, it is necessary, according to the instructions, to assemble a new one.
In the store, you can ask sellers to install all the insides of the drain tank, so that at home just hang it on the wall and connect to communications
In the already assembled form, the purchased hinged tank is mounted on the wall and connected to the water hose. The drain pipe is inserted into the corresponding hole in the toilet bowl and this completes the installation of the separate toilet bowl.
Due to the noise and external unattractiveness, these types of drain tanks are practically not found in houses and apartments.
If replacing the tank was only a partial solution to the problem, and the bowl also needs to be changed, then you will find the same useful information and detailed instructions on how to install the toilet on our website.
Installation of a new tank for installation
Serious damage to the drain tank during installation is a very unpleasant problem. To eliminate it requires the dismantling of a decorative box or tile in the bathroom.
Extensive repair work during the dismantling of the casing can be avoided if it is made of collapsible wooden panels. But the surface of the tree must be protected from moisture in the bathroom
The fixation of the plastic casing to the metal frame is usually done using latches.
When replacing the drain tank on the installation, you will either have to buy equipment of the same company, or completely replace the sanitary design
After disassembling the installation, you only need to remove the old one and fix the new tank on the frame. The installation of a new tank is carried out after inspection of the supporting frame of the hanging toilet and installation repair in case of breakage.
Next, the installation is attached to the wall, after which a water hose is attached to the tank.
Then you can again mask the support frame and install the toilet bowl on the mounting studs fixed in it. In wall mounted toilets, the drain tank is only a block component, the replacement of which lasts several minutes. But the dismantling and installation of the decorative box can drag on for weeks.
The presented videos will complement the understanding of the sequence of actions when replacing the drain tank and introduce you to the nuances of this process.
Video # 1. Installing the drain tank:
Video # 2. Dismantling and assembling the toilet tank:
Video # 3. Installation of a flush toilet wall mounted toilet:
The process of replacing the drain tank on the toilet is quite simple and does not require specific knowledge. The main difficulty is finding the right model of equipment in the store. Solving other problems will help to carefully follow the above recommendations.
You can tell about the experience of replacing the flushing tank and share interesting subtleties in the block below. Ask questions and comment on the information we offer here.