So today I accomplished a big task: fixing the leak in the toilet. Apparently, the pipe between the shut-off valve turned bad and started to leak may be about a week ago. At first, I simply put a plastic container below it. It kept on leaking. So, I kind of had to force myself to try to fix it. As usual, I searched youtube to see if anybody else have fix their toilet before. I found some videos and kind of learn the how to fix it yourself. However, as I checked out our toilet, our builder used either a bad shutoff valve or an extremely cheap material. The pipe between the valve and toilet cannot be replaced. If it’s broken, the valve have to be replaced too.
So, yesterday, I went to Home Depot to get the replacement parts and tools to fix.
- Shut off valve – compression type – $9
- Pipe between valve and toilet – $6
- A wrench (10″) – $15
- Another wrench (12″) – $11
- Tool to shut off the main water line – $6
So, total including tax approximately $50 to fix the leak.
Today, as I tried to fix it, it took a lot longer than what I watched on youtube. Its’ actually very easy to fix. All I have to do is to use the wrenches to unscrew the pipe, and the valve. Then put on the new valve and pipe and done. When I first did it, it only took may be less than 10 minutes to finished. However, when I went outside the house to turn on the water, it leaked. The valve leaked. I remembered the video that I watched on youtube, the people warned about the valve being leaked. So, I had to undo the pipe, valve and try it again. After the 2nd time, it leaked still. Then I did it again for the 3rd time. The leak won’t stop. I tried it again for the 4th time, it still leaked. I was a bit concerned that I might break the pvc pipe as I kept on tightening and loosening the valve. If it’s a copper pipe, I am not as concerned. However, as our pipe is pvc, it makes me quite nervous. So, after going back and forth from house to outside to turn off/on main water line, drain the pipe and install and undo the valve several times, I decided to go to Home Depot again to replace the valve. I thought may be I got a bad one. It took me about 40 minutes to go to Home Depot and back to our house.
After coming back home, I install it again. Then I went out the house and turned on the water again. It failed. It still leaked. I was a bit frustrated as I undo the install, the water gushed out and make the floor wet. I had to wipe it. Then I tried using the plumbing tape. At first I put on the tape with 2 rotation around the pipe. The valve won’t fit. So, I removed the tape and redo it with just 1 rotation. It fits. Then as I put on the valve, I put on another rotation of the tape around the groove of the pipe. Then I start to tighten the valve. After that, I went out the house and turned on the water. I went back to the toilet and check the valve. It worked. No longer leaking. So, I hooked up the pipe between the valve and toilet. It’s done.
The end result turned out good. Plumbing achievement unlocked. 1000G