If your toilet handle is loose or has broken off, don’t worry – you can fix it yourself! No need to call a plumber for something like this. With some elbow grease, a couple of tools, and maybe a drive down to your local home improvement store, your toilet handle will be good as new.
In this blog post, we will explain how to replace a toilet handle in easy steps. You will need a few basic tools and some plumbing knowledge, but if you follow our instructions carefully, you should be able to replace that handle in no time. If you have any questions, please give us a call – we are here to help!
How to tighten a loose toilet handle:
If your toilet handle is loose, but still flushes the toilet, you may be able to fix it by simply tightening the nut that hold it in place. In order to do this, all you will need is a wrench.
1. Make sure the toilet cover is closed.
Close the toilet lid so that you don’t accidentally drop anything into the toilet bowl or slip into it yourself as you are tightening the nut or bent over the toilet.
2. Shut off the toilet’s water supply.
Whenever you do any DIY work on a toilet, regardless of how experienced you are, it is always best practice to first shut off the water to the toilet. This way, if you accidentally make a mistake, there will be no risk of flooding your bathroom.
3. Remove the tank cover.
Remove the tank cover in order to access the inside of the toilet tank. This is where you will find the back of the toilet handle and the nut that holds it in place.
4. Tighten the toilet handle nut inside of the tank.
Using your wrench, tighten the toilet handle nut until it is snug. Be careful not to over-tighten, as this could damage the porcelain on your toilet tank.
5. Test the toilet handle.
From the outside of the toilet tank, flush the toilet to see if the handle is now secure. If it still feels loose, you may need to replace the handle entirely.
6. Replace the lid and turn the water supply back on.
If everything is working as intended, then replace the toilet tank lid and turn the water supply back on at the shut-off valve. Congratulations, you’ve successfully tightened the toilet handle yourself without needing to call a plumber!
How to replace a broken toilet handle:
If your toilet handle is not only loose but broken, then you will need to replace it entirely. This is a slightly more complicated process, but if you follow our instructions carefully, you should be able to do it without too much trouble.
You will need the following tools:
1. A wrench
2. Pliers
3. A new toilet handle
1. Find out what kind of toilet handle you need.
First, you will need to know what kind of toilet handle you need. There are two main types – a side-mount handle and a flush-mount handle. Side-mount handles are the most common, but if you’re not sure which type you have, just take a look at your old handle and compare it to the new ones at the store.
2. Purchase a new toilet handle from a home improvement store.
Head down to your local home improvement store and purchase a new toilet handle that matches the one you are replacing. Toilet handles can cost anywhere from $15-$30, depending on the type and finish. Try to pick one that matches the look and feel of your old one so it doesn’t look out of place.
3. Turn off the toilet’s water supply.
Next, you will need to turn off the water supply to your toilet. This is an important step because it will prevent any flooding if you make a mistake during the replacement process.
4. Remove the toilet tank lid.
In order to access the inner mechanism of the toilet tank, including the back nut that holds the current handle in place, you need to remove the toilet tank lid. Be careful not to drop it or break it, as toilet tank lids can be quite fragile.
5. Remove the toilet handle nut with a wrench (or pliers).
Using your pliers or a wrench, remove the toilet handle nut from the back of the tank. This can sometimes be difficult to do, so make sure you have a good grip before you start twisting. Make sure you place the nut somewhere secure so that it doesn’t get lost.
6. Replace the broken toilet handle with the new one.
Now, take your new toilet handle and insert it into the hole where the old one was. Make sure that it is tight and secure before proceeding.
7. Replace and tighten the toilet handle nut.
Using your wrench or pliers, replace and tighten the toilet handle nut. Again, be careful not to over-tighten as this could damage the porcelain of your toilet tank, which is a whole lot more expensive to replace than just a handle!
8. Replace the toilet tank lid and turn the water supply back on.
When you’ve finished re-installing the new handle, replace the toilet tank lid and turn the water supply back on at the shut-off valve. Flush the toilet a few times to make sure that everything is working as it should be. And that’s it – you’ve successfully replaced your broken toilet handle!
Look at you, a regular DIY expert! While fixing or replacing a toilet handle might not be the most glamorous project, it’s definitely a handy skill to have in your repertoire. And who knows, maybe someday you’ll be able to help out a friend or family member in need.
