The toilet tank is an easily overlooked corner of your home. People usually only care about whether it flushes or not, and things like cleaning the tank and tank leaks are more likely to be overlooked. There are even times when you may need to dismantle it in order to maintain or remove a toilet tank. Fortunately, this task is not difficult if you follow the right steps and techniques. Let’s get started!
Necessary tools and materials
First of all, you need to prepare your tools ahead of time so that you won’t be overwhelmed during the process.
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
- A towel or rag
- A small bucket or container (for water)
How to remove the toilet tank
Before we start the steps, we need to be clear about the type of water tank. There are different ways to disassemble different tank types.
One-piece toilet
This type of tank is integral to the toilet bowl, i.e. they are joined together, usually made from the same piece of porcelain. That is a one-piece toilet bowl. It’s more uniform and seamless in appearance, and because there are fewer connecting parts, there may be less risk of leaks.
But because they are one piece, they are heavier. So it can take two people to move and install them, and you may need to replace the entire toilet if there’s a problem with one of the parts. And yes, you’ll also need to have a new one-piece toilet on hand if your one-piece toilet tank fails badly.
However, this is not always absolute. Some failures or damage can be fixed by replacing internal components such as valves, floats, or sealing gaskets without having to replace the entire toilet. However, if it is the porcelain part of the tank that is cracked or damaged, then you do need to replace the entire toilet.
Removal and Replacement Steps
- Preparation. First, turn off the water supply valve at the back of the toilet, then flush the toilet to empty the tank as much as possible.
- Toilet Tank Removal Process. Since the tank is integral to the toilet bowl, you will need to remove the entire toilet from the floor. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts on the floor and slowly lift the toilet.
- Place the toilet back in place and make sure it lines up with the bolt holes in the floor.
- Use a wrench to tighten the bolts, but don’t use too much force to avoid damaging the toilet.
- Open the water supply valve to allow the tank to fill and check for leaks.
Separating the water tank
This type of tank and toilet bowl are two separate parts, joined together by screws and seals. I.e. two-piece toilets.
They have the advantage of being lighter and therefore simpler to install. In addition, if there is a problem with the tank or the toilet bowl, you only need to replace one of the parts.
However, because there are extra connecting parts, there can be an increased risk of leaks.
Check out the solution for a leaking toilet tank here.
- Preparation. Again, start by turning off the water supply valve and flushing the toilet so that the tank drains.
- Toilet Tank Removal Process. Use a screwdriver and wrench to loosen the screws and nuts connecting the tank to the toilet bowl. Once the screws and nuts are removed, you can gently lift the tank off the toilet bowl.
- Place the tank over the toilet bowl and make sure to line up with the bolt holes in the bowl.
- Tighten the screws and nuts using a screwdriver and wrench.
- Open the water supply valve, allow the tank to fill, and check for leaks.
Potential problems with toilet tanks
The toilet tank is one of the most frequently used parts of the toilet, and as such, it’s also more prone to a variety of problems. But the good news is that many of these problems can be fixed with simple fixes. Here are some common toilet tank problems and their causes:
- Damaged Fill Valve: this is a common problem that can result in the tank not filling correctly or water constantly flowing into the toilet bowl. Over time, this not only wastes water but can also lead to higher water bills.
- Flush Valve or Flush Chain Problems: If the flush valve or the chain attached to it is damaged or detached, it can lead to incomplete flushing or flushing that lasts too long.
- Worn or damaged seals: Problems with the seal between the tank and the toilet bowl can lead to leaks in the tank, which can not only lead to water pooling on the floor but can also increase your water bill.
- Scaling or deposits: prolonged use may cause scaling or deposits to build up inside the tank, which could affect the normal functioning of the tank.
When replacing or repairing your water tank, make sure that you carefully inspect the parts listed above. If you find any damaged or worn parts, it is best to replace them immediately to ensure the proper functioning of the toilet and minimize future problems.
Summing up
The toilet tank may be simple, but it is an integral part of the entire toilet system. Understanding common tank problems and how to fix them can help you ensure that the toilet in your home is always in tip-top shape. Whether you’re replacing your entire toilet or just certain parts, always paying attention to the condition of your tank will save you time, and money and avoid unnecessary hassles.
