Every toilet has two key parts: the bowl and the tank. The toilet tank is typically placed at the top of the toilet bowl to allow water to flow to it via gravity.
The water will travel from the toilet tank into the bowl. This is how the toilet flushes.
This is the main purpose of a toilet tank: to provide a sufficient amount of water to the toilet bowl so it flushes.
There must be a large volume of water suddenly rushed into a toilet boil in order for the siphoning effect to initiate. This is difficult to do manually, which is why toilet tanks are so important.
In this article, I will discuss all the parts of a toilet tank, complete with pictures, diagrams, and plumbing repairs. So, if this is of interest to you, read on for more!
How Many Types Of Toilet Tanks Are There?
Toilet tank parts can be split into two types. One is related to the flush aspect of the toilet, and the other is related to the refill aspect of the toilet.
The former part of the toilet tank, the part related to the flushing aspect, is in the lever of the tank, as well as the flush valve and toilet flapper.
Meanwhile, the toilet part related to refiling the toilet can be found in the refill tube, toilet float, and fill valve.
Additionally, it is important to note that there are two kinds of toilets. The first is a one-piece toilet. The second is a two-piece toilet.
As a general rule, one-piece toilets have fewer parts than two-piece toilets, although they have far fewer problems. Typically two-piece toilets face problems with leaking.
Diagram Of Toilet Tank Parts
Before we start to go into detail about the toilet tank parts, it may be helpful to see a diagram of a toilet tank. You can use this as a reference point for later on in the article.
The Parts Of A Toilet Tank
In the majority of cases, toilet tank parts are the same. This enables companies to sell spare toilet parts even when they don’t sell toilets. Korky is just one example of this!
Additionally, if a part of your toilet tank ever breaks, you will be able to buy one easily from the toilet manufacturer.
In this case, it will be helpful to know your toilet model number, so make sure you do this beforehand.
To find your toilet model number, all you need to do is take off the toilet lid and check out the opposite wall. The number will either be molded or stamped onto there.
Sometimes, you may only need to replace part of your toilet tank. However, there may be situations where the tank needs to be replaced or rebuilt in its entirety. This typically happens when the toilet is old and stops flushing properly.
Now, let’s check out the parts of a toilet tank in more detail!
Toilet Tank Parts: The Toilet Tank Lever
The toilet tank lever, also known as the flushing lever, is a toilet handle and is situated on the left side of the toilet.
Sometimes, it is a button that sits on top of the toilet. The flushing process begins here when you push the lever (or button) down.
You will typically find a toilet flush lever on a single-flush toilet, while you will normally find the button on a dual-flush toilet. In regards to the flushing button, there will be two flushing options.
The first is a bigger button that should be used when you need to flush solids, while the second is a smaller button that should be used to flush liquids.
If your toilet tank lever becomes wiggly or loose, then it will need to be fixed.
Toilet Tank Parts: The Toilet Tank Lid
The lid of a toilet tank is a type of cover that is made up of the same kind of material as a toilet tank.
It is typically situated on top of the toilet tank and will stop dirt and pets from entering it.
However, the tank lid is not always stable, and you may find that it is all-too-easy for it to fall and consequently, break.
If this happens, then you need to replace it with a new one rather than trying to fix it.
It is important to note that you need to replace your toilet tank with exactly the same tank model, so it is best to order a replacement from the toilet manufacturer. Make sure you have your toilet model number!
Toilet Tank Parts: Toilet Tank Flapper
The toilet tank flapper is a rubber seal situated on the toilet tank floor. It permits water to flow outside of the toilet tank and into the bowl.
However, this happens during the flushing process only and the water will be sealed off most of the time.
The toilet tank level regulates how the toilet tank flapper opens and closes, and it does so with a link chain.
So, if your toilet is ever running when it shouldn’t be, the toilet flapper is likely to be the cause. Luckily, toilet flappers are easy to fix!
Toilet Tank Parts: Flapper Lift Chain
A flapper lift chain is a thin chain that connects the tank flapper to the tank lever. The link is usually quite slack when the lever is not in operation.
When you push the toilet lever down to flush it, the chain will go from being slack to picking up all the tension, and then it will lift from the ground to allow water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
You should take care to ensure that the lift chain is not too slack. If it becomes too slack, this results in the toilet flapper not being able to open properly and this will cause the toilet to flush slowly or become weak.
However, if the flapper lift chain is too tight, then this will cause the toilet flapper to unseat and consequently, the toilet will begin to run.
Toilet Tank Parts: Toilet Flush Valve
The toilet flush valve is situated on the toilet tank floor. It is an opening that permits water to flow from the tank and go into the bowl, in order to flush the contents.
The flush valve can range in diameter, encompassing anything between 2-4 inches. The toilet flush valve will have the toilet flapper situated at the top of it.
In these instances, the toilet flush valve will need to be replaced. However, the toilet tank needs to be totally removed first, so this can take a lot of time.
It is important to note that toilets from Kohler have a flush valve unique to others, known as the canister flush valve.
Here, instead of the toilet flapper, a canister is used. This canister will lift completely when the toilet is flushing.
Toilet Tank Parts: Toilet Overflow Tube
The toilet overflow tube is a tube shaped like a cylinder. It is situated in the center of the toilet tank and it acts as the failsafe of the toilet.
Its main role is to send excess water away from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl to try and prevent the toilet from flooding.
The toilet flush valve and the overflow tube are connected, and so the latter ensures that if the tank is in continuous water that the water does not flow onto the floor, but into the toilet bowl instead.
Toilet Tank Parts: The Spud Washer (Toilet Tank To Bowl Gasket)
The toilet tank-to-bowl gasket is situated around and outside the flush valve, directly where the toilet tank is placed on the bow. It is a seal made from rubber.
However, in the event that water does leak, the tank-to-bowl gasket will become worn out over time.
In instances like this, the spud washer will need to be replaced. To do so, you will need to totally remove the toilet tank from the toilet.
Toilet Tank Parts: Toilet Tank Bolts
Toilet tank bolts come with rubber washers, steel, and nuts. Their purpose is to make sure the toilet tank and toilet bowl are secured.
However, this securing can look a little different depending on the toilet brand.
For example, Modern Kohler toilet tanks are made so that the bolts are hooked from underneath the tank, as opposed to inside.
This is so the leaking problems from the tank to the bowl are reduced.
After many years of use, the bolts of a toilet tank can become loose or corroded, which causes there to be leaks between the bowl and the tank.
If this happens, the bolts will need to be replaced. It is a good idea to replace the flush valve and spud washer if you are going to replace the bolts, as an extra precaution.
Toilet Tank Parts: The Toilet Fill Valve
The toilet fill valve fills the toilet once it has been flushed. It is linked to the supply line for toilet water underneath the toilet tank, and this is the way it can provide the tank with a continuous supply of water.
The toilet fill valve is also linked to the toilet refill tube and float. You can typically find it on the toilet tank’s left side.
If the toilet valve is faulty, then your toilet will not fill. It could also cause the toilet to make hissing sounds or run constantly.
However, the good news is, it is easy and cheap to replace a toilet fill valve!
Toilet Tank Parts: The Toilet Float Ball
The toilet float ball is a toilet tank part made from plastic and shaped like a balloon.
A plastic or metal arm will connect it to the toilet fill valve. This toilet tank part has control over when the fill valve opens and closes.
When your toilet is not in use and is full, you can find the float ball at the top of the toilet tank.
When there is the right amount of water in the tank, the float ball will stop moving and the fill valve will shut. At this time, the toilet can be used again.
It is important to note that you will only find float balls in old toilets. They are not present in modern toilets.
If you need to replace your old flat ball, you can do this with ease. Newer floats are now included with a fill valve and are simple to install.
Toilet Tank Parts: The Refill Tube
The toilet refill tube is connected to the overflow tube via the fill valve. It is a narrow tube that will send water through the overflow tube into the toilet bowl after the toilet is flushed.
So, when you see the water at the bottom of your toilet bowl, know that this is where it comes from!
The refill tube will stop bad swerve gases from getting into the bathroom, which would be very unpleasant!
Unfortunately, toilet tanks can face their fair share of problems. Here are some of the most common ones, as well as some solutions on how you can fix them!
There are three usual suspects in cases like this. The fill valve, the float ball, and the flapper.
When the flapper is worn down, then water will begin to leak. To fix this issue, you will need to replace the toilet flapper if you feel that it looks too worn out. However, if it merely appears to be dirty, then you can just clean it!
When the float ball is not at the correct height for the toilet water level, then this causes water to flow into the bowl and the toilet will begin to run constantly.
In this instance, you need to locate the screw near the float ball and use a screwdriver to turn it.
Turn it clockwise to increase the water in the tank, and counterclockwise to reduce the water in the tank. It is important that the toilet water supply valve is turned off while you do this.
If the fill valve is not working, then you need to replace it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it cannot be repaired.
The Toilet Handle Does Not Lift
If the toilet handle does not lift after you flush it, then there is likely an issue with the toilet lift chain.
There is a chance that the chain has got caught on or been connected to another toilet tank part, which means the handle cannot move to where it needs to be.
To fix this issue, it is best to lift or remove the toilet lid and observe what the flapper and lift chain do, or look like.
If you see it has been hooked anywhere it shouldn’t have, then it is best to unhook it and put it back to where it needs to be.
Final Thoughts
There are many different parts to a toilet tank, all of which have different functions and responsibilities.
However, all of them are essential to the smooth running of your toilet, and it is important to repair them when they begin to break or cause issues.
However, sometimes parts of your toilet tank cannot be repaired, and need to be replaced in order to get your toilet back to a good working condition once more.
With cleaning trends and DIYs becoming more popular online every day, I feel like I am in my element. Hi, my name is Adrienne Carrie Hubbard and I have been finding creative hacks and tricks for cleaning for over 15 years now.
I enjoy looking for tips on how to clean the overall home, with a special interest in the bathroom. It’s the most difficult room to clean, after all! Yet the most important.
I run a Facebook group called Cottagecore DIY and Decor with over 18,000 members called Cottagecore DIY and Decor. We were even nominated for a Facebook Community Award in 2021!
