how do you measure a toilet flush valve

• Use a measuring tape or a small rule to measure the inside diameter of the flush valve opening.
• If you get a reading of between 1.8 and 2.3 inches then you have a 2-inch flush valve. Proceed to buy a 2-inch toilet flapper as well.
• A reading of plus or minus 3 inches indicates you have a 3-inch flush valve and therefore need a 3-inch toilet flapper.
• A flush valve wider than 3 inches is a sign that you need a 4-inch toilet flapper.

Full Answer

How do I know what size toilet flush valve I Need?

Measure the tank discharge (flush) tube (the hole the flush valve (flapper) covers), to determine the size flush valve you need. The hole might be slightly larger or smaller then 2", but close enough is close enough. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange!

How do you install a flush valve on a toilet?

Flush valves are attached to the toilet tanks by a lock nut from underneath the tank. A toilet tank to bowl gasket which is also known as a spud washer is then installed at the bottom of the flush valve covering the entire lock nut.

What is a flushometer used for in a toilet?

A Flushometer is a commercial flush valve. It is used with tankless toilets. Tankless toilets as the name suggests are toilets which have no tanks and which also do not flush automatically. They are supplied with water under high pressure which is enough to flush the toilet and therefore do not need a tank.

How do I know what size toilet flapper I Need?

Measure the tank discharge (flush) tube (the hole the flush valve (flapper) covers), to determine the size flush valve you need. The hole might be slightly larger or smaller then 2", but close enough is close enough. Click to see full answer.

Where do you measure a toilet flush valve?

0:250:58And can be found in newer toilets. Manufactured since 2005 an easy reference for determining yourMoreAnd can be found in newer toilets. Manufactured since 2005 an easy reference for determining your toilets flapper sizes to look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank.

What size is a standard toilet flush valve?

The standard 4-inch flush valve is intended for toilets with a tank-to-bowl opening of about 4 inches—a bump in size that provides a more powerful flush as the flow of water into the toilet bowl increases.

Are there different size flush valves for toilets?

Toilet flush valves come in different sizes ranging from 2 to 4 inches, depending on the toilet design. If you are thinking of buying a new toilet, pay attention to the type of flush valve it has. In most cases, larger valves move water faster, resulting in a better flush.

How do I know if my toilet uses a 2 inch or 3 inch flush valve?

Look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank.If the opening looks about the size of a baseball or orange, you need a 2″ flapper.If the opening looks about the size of a softball or grapefruit, you need a 3″ flapper.

How do I know which flush valve I need?

The first step you'll need to do is identify the brand of your particular valve, this is usually stamped onto the top or side of the plastic. Failing this the branding on the cistern or toilet might be the actual manufacturer of the internals, large brands such as Roca and Armitage Shanks generally follow this route.

How do you measure a fill valve?

Measure the fill valve from the bottom of the tank to the top. This measurement does not include the threaded water supply shank that goes through the bottom of the tank.

Are all toilet fill valves the same?

There are several different types of fill valves commonly found in toilets, and you will need to be able to identify your type in order to make adjustments or replacements to yours. Some types of fill valves use older technologies and are best replaced with a newer type when repairs are called for.

What is the standard toilet supply line size?

Typically they are 3/8” in diameter, but toilet supply line size can vary in length, usually anywhere from 9” to 20”.

How much water does a toilet flush use?

Almost all toilets had a standard 2-inch flush valve. Back then the toilets used 3.5 gallons of water per flush so even with a small flush valve your toilet would still flush well.

Where is the canister flush valve on a Kohler toilet?

Canister flush valves are mounted in the middle of the of the toilet tank. They are especially used by modern Kohler toilets like the Kohler Cimarron. A cylindrical canister valve with a rubber seal/gasket at the bottom is attached to a chain which is in turn connected to the flushing handle.

How does a canister flush valve work?

Unlike in a standard flush valve where the flapper is hinged to one side, a canister flush valve lifts off wholly allowing water to flow down to the bowl through a 360 degrees angle. This design allows water to flow down to the bowl faster and therefore resulting in a powerful flush.

What is a toilet tank float ball?

With a standard flush valve, the toilet tank can use a float ball or a float cup. It does not occupy a large space inside the toilet tank. This kind of flush valve is cheaper to replace. It is also way easier to clean in case there are mineral deposits or debris inhibiting the flapper seal.

What are the two mechanisms of a toilet?

A toilet has two mechanisms: the flushing mechanism and the refill mechanism . The flushing mechanism involves the toilet handle, toilet handle arm, lift chain, toilet flapper, flush valve, bowl and toilet trap. With refill mechanism, the process starts with the fill valve then the toilet float, refill tube and the overflow tube.

What is a flush valve?

What is a Toilet Flush Valve? A flush valve is the toilet part at the bottom of the tank through which water flows from the tank to the bowl during flushing. Most toilets have a 2-inch flush valve but a few high-performance ones have a 3 or 4-inch flush valve. Flush valves are attached to the toilet tanks by a lock nut from underneath the tank.

Where is the overflow tube in a toilet?

The overflow tube is the large tube in the middle of the toilet tank. It is connected to the flush valve. The refill tube is clipped on top of the overflow tube. It sends some water at the bottom of the bowl which acts as barrier for sewer gases.

What is a tower flush valve?

Tower flush valves are valves that normally are 1 piece in design and the entire flush valve drain lifts up to release the water. 2 inch and 3 inch Flush Valves are valves that flush using a flapper valve to release the water.

What does "het" mean in toilets?

HET is an abbreviation for High Efficiency Toilet. These toilets have flush volumes that are less than the standard 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. These toilets need a higher refill rate when refilling the toilet bowl and may come with a larger than standard 2 inch flush valve drain.

What size is a standard toilet?

Toilet Sizes . . . Most common standard toilets are generally considered to be either “2-inch or 3-inch” by naming convention. This refers to the INSIDE pipe diameter within the toilet and down through the floor drain.

What size hole is flush actuator?

The flush actuator mount hole can be a little tricky sometimes because there are two commons sizes, 5/8″ and 3/4″ square, which will also vary a little due to the same manufacturing tolerances. Most flush actuators, whether lever handle or push button, will have a removable rubber collar that will accommodate both sizes.

What does it mean when a toilet is bigger?

Since the toilet size refers to the inside pipe diameter, this means the drain hole cut-out inside the tank will naturally be larger. How much larger depends on the initial hole cut-out and the after-cure tolerance of the ceramic or plastic composite during manufacturing.

How many gallons per flush for toilet?

Toilets manufactured after 1994 may accompany an adjustable flapper. These are usually designed to figure with toilets that flush at 1.3 or 1.6 gallons per flush. Through understanding the age of the restroom, the frame of the flapper.

How big is a toilet drain?

Many toilets will indeed have a 2-inch drain or a 3-inch drain. Standard flappers of both types are available for these common sizes, though flexible 3-inch flappers can sometimes be difficult to seek out. To measure for the right size, you’ll get to lift or remove your current flapper. Next, do a measurement of the diameter ...

What is a toilet flapper?

Toilet flappers are the rubber attachments that attach a toilet’s flush valve mechanism to the tank of the toilet. The flapper prevents water from running continuously into the bowl and allows it to flow into the tank once to flush.

What happens if a toilet flapper is worn?

If you’re not careful, though, a worn toilet flapper can cause big problems for your home’s plumbing system — and your wallet.

Can a flapper be adjusted?

Flappers can also be adaptable or non-adjustable, depending upon the flushing capacity of the restroom. If the restroom was manufactured before 1994. Then a non-adjustable flapper requires as older toilets could also be designed to carry up to five gallons of water within the tank.

What is a fluidmaster flush valve?

Fluidmaster manufactures a standard or universal size of flush valves with flappers and are among the most common flush valves to be used. All though there are many different types of flush valves most flush valves are interchangeable and depend on the size of the ceramic flush hole that is bored through the tank by the porcelain manufacturer.

How to tell what size Fluidmaster flapper to use?

The simplest way to determine which Fluidmaster flush valve and flapper to use is to measure the flapper that is already on the flush valve. To identify what size is needed measure the width ...

How to tell what size flapper to use for toilet?

An easy reference for determining your toilet’s flapper size is to look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank. STEP 2: If your flapper is the size of a baseball or an orange, your toilet requires a two inch flapper.

How big is a toilet flapper?

Flappers comes in two sizes, two inch and three inch. A majority of toilets will use the two inch flapper; however three inch flappers have become popular in recent years and can be found in newer toilets manufactured since 2005. An easy reference for determining your toilet’s flapper size is to look at the flush valve drain opening at ...