If you're a homeowner, there's a good chance you've had to shut off your toilet's water supply at least once. The good news is that it's an easy process: turn the valve clockwise until it doesn't go any further.
The bad news is that it can be hard to get back on again if you don't know how long to leave the water off.
How to shut off the water to a toilet?
Locate the toilet shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to turn off the water to a toilet. If you have a push/pull valve, pull it out.
Here are ten steps to shut off the water to a toilet.
1. Find the water shutoff valve. You can find this near the toilet, the sink, or the basement.
2. Turn the valve to the "off" position. This may require a quarter turn, or it may need you to unscrew the handle entirely.
3. If the valve is hard to turn, you may need a wrench. Place the wrench on the valve and turn it to the left.
4. Once the water shuts off, flush the toilet to empty the tank.
5. Disconnect the water supply line from the valve. This line is usually made of flexible plastic or metal and is attached to the valve with a nut.
6. Use a wrench to loosen the nut that secures the water line to the valve.
7. Once the nut is loose, remove the water line from the valve.
8. Inspect the water line for any damage. If the line is damaged, you will need to replace it.
9. Reconnect the water line to the valve. Make sure the connection is secure, and there are no leaks.
10. Turn the valve to the "on" position and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, the water shutoff process is complete.
Locate the water supply shutoff valve.
The water supply shutoff valve appears at the end of your home's plumbing system. It's usually right next to the toilet and easy to spot: look for a vertical pipe with a handle. Turn this knob counter clockwise to stop water from flowing into your house.
If you can't find the water supply shutoff valve, ask someone who's been in your house before where it is. If they don't know, call a plumber or ask around family members and neighbours
—someone will likely know how to get you connected with someone qualified enough to help identify where this elusive item might be hiding.
Turn the valve handle to the right (clockwise) until hot and cold water stops.
The first thing you'll need to do is locate the valve handle for your toilet. It's usually on a wall near the toilet's base, but it could be anywhere in your house. Once you find it, turn it clockwise until the hot and cold water stops.
Flush the toilet to drain the tank.
Flush the toilet to drain the tank. The flush valve is usually located on the back of the toilet and can be identified by its handle. To flush water from your tank, turn this handle and watch as it drains away.
Open the flush valve by turning the handle until the entire tank is empty.
- Open the flush valve by turning the handle until the entire tank is empty.
- It's essential to open the flush valve to get rid of all the water in your toilet so it can dry out completely. Be careful not to turn too far, or you will leak and make a mess.
- Once open, please don't close it again until you're ready for use. If you shut off your main valve and then try turning on a single fixture, there may be too much pressure built up in pipes behind it—causing them to burst from behind when opened.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to turn off the water in your toilet.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to turn off the water to your toilet.
- Flush the toilet and let all of the water drain out.
- Locate the shutoff valve for your toilet under either side of the tank (it will look like a small knob). Turn it clockwise until it stops, then back it up about one-quarter. This will prevent additional water from entering your tank when you flush in the future—but don't worry. It won't make flushing more difficult or cause leaks in your tank or lines because only about half an inch of water remains in a normal-sized tank after flushing.
- If there are no other toilets in your house connected by connecting pipes (called supply lines) to this one, then congratulations: You've successfully turned off its supply line.
How to find the shutoff valve for your toilet?
The shutoff valve for your toilet is typically a football-shaped object and connects to a pipe or hose attached to the bottom of the tank of your toilet. A connection to the wall should be on the other end of this pipe.
If your toilet does not have a shutoff valve, shutting off the main water supply of your house or performing the wooden board method could work.
Watch how to shut off the water to a toilet
How to shut off the water to a toilet (FAQs)
What are some common reasons for a leaky toilet?
There are a few common reasons for a leaky toilet. The first is a problem with the flapper valve. This valve controls the flow of water from the tank to the bowl. If the flapper valve is not sealing correctly, water can leak from the tank into the bowl.
Another common reason for a leaky toilet is a problem with the fill valve. The fill valve controls the flow of water into the tank. Again, if the fill valve is not functioning correctly, water can leak from the tank into the bowl.
How do you know if your shutoff valve is working correctly?
If you have a shutoff valve in your home, it's essential to know if it's working correctly. There are a few things you can do to test your shutoff valve.
First, turn the handle to the "off" position and turn on the water at the faucet. The water should not flow. If it does, then the shutoff valve is not working correctly.
Next, turn the handle to the "on" position and turn on the water at the faucet. The water should flow. If it doesn't, then the shutoff valve is not working correctly. If you're unsure if your shutoff valve is working properly, it's best to call a plumber to check it.
What should you do if you cannot find your shutoff valve?
First, call your local water company if you cannot find your shutoff valve. They will be able to help you locate the valve and turn it off.
If you can still not find the valve, you may need to shut off the main water supply to your home. A professional plumber should do this.
How can you prevent leaks in your toilet in the future?
There are a few things you can do to prevent leaks in your toilet in the future:
- Make sure you have a good seal around the base of your toilet. This can be done using a silicon sealant or a wax ring.
- Make sure that your toilet does not overflow. When the water level in your toilet bowl gets too high, it can cause leaks.
- Make sure that your toilet vents properly. An adequately vented toilet will have a vent stack that goes up through the roof. If your toilet does not have proper ventilation, it can cause leaks.
- If you leak your toilet, don't try to fix it yourself.
Instead, call a plumber to come and take a look at it.
What are some signs that your bathroom needs professional plumbing help?
If your bathroom constantly leaks, has low water pressure, or drains back up, you likely need professional plumbing help. These are all signs of a problem with your bathroom plumbing that a professional can help fix.
Conclusion:
The toilet shutoff valve is straightforward to locate and install. You only need to turn the water off at the main valve and remove the shutoff valve from your old toilet.
Then slide it into your new toilet, turn on the water, flush it a few times, and check for leaks.
