Fix Your Overflowing Toilet for Less Than £10

Episode 81 ~ Replacing a Bottom Entry Fill Valve
Roger shows you how to replace an old broken fill valve with a Fluidmaster Bottom Entry Fill Valve. Fix your toilet flush now.
The fill valve fills the toilet tank with water from the water supply line after it has been emptied by a flush. It replaces the ballcock and is more efficient and easy to install. This is an anti-siphon design-fill valve with adjustable height from 9″ to 14″. The most popular valve in the world. Replace your old style ballcock valve with a better performing Fluidmaster fill valve.
Replaces ballcocks
Easy to install
Height adjusts 9″-14″ (230mm - 355mm)
Refills quickly; quietest fill valve available
Universal fit for 1 and 2 piece toilets
Corrosion-resistant material
Anti-siphon operation, code approved
Won’t contaminate fresh water supply
Find out more at www.fluidmasteruk.com
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[@LOLukeJamieson]

Thanks! Good recommendation on replacing whole unit. I replaced just the seal washer before watching this video and it was still leaking. Replacing the whole unit was easy and now I'm no longer wasting any water.

[@stevenforbes2766]

I love videos like this. Easy to follow step by step guide, if I'm not sure just take it bk a little and carry. The sense of accomplishment when you've solved an ongoing problem, is massive. So thank you. It feels like I'm attending the university of KZbin and you're my professor. Cheers

[@davidallen3162]

Thank you for a very informative video, saved me having to fit a new fluid master ball valve. I had turned the adjusting screw the wrong way, resulting in the water overflowing into the loo. Thanks to you Roger, job done.

[@Lykzabet]

Nearly 3 years later and this was great help today thank you from 🇦🇺

[@mikij.1604]

Thanks - that was the best ever video on toilet flush!!! Clear & with excellent humour. Well done!

[@fieldsofomagh]

For a tenner, it's worth it for no repeat. Great step by step video

[@MrPye]

First rate video - very straightforward replacement from beginning to end. Seeing how much to tighten the joints was particularly useful. The prices are up a little bit from £10! The 'pro' filler costs an extra pound, but is well worth it for the brass shank. All I would add is the reminder to have a half inch washer available for the supply pipe; I find it difficult to see why Fluidmaster can't include one that might serve. Thank you, with all good wishes

[@johnstapleton8623]

Class act, great video lots of personality!

[@virgilstraker5211]

I gave him an instant thumbs up for the mere fact that he immediately threw away the instructions. Read those things at your leisure if at all. ROTFL

[@johncurrie2802]

I have a few properties i look after that have these. Easiest way is simply lift the top adjustable section right off and fit the new one on place. About 40 seconds . Job done

[@07786013535]

this dude is a legend ...he's revealed everything other plumbers don't want you to know ..hes's actually hit them where it hurts

[@SkillBuilder]

It really isn't about hitting anyone anywhere. A lot of people struggle to find a plumber willing to do this kind of job and if they do it can cost a lot of money because the plumber has to make a decent living.

[@jamesstevenson2371]

Just fitted one . Thanks for your tips and advice. Very good video 👍

[@karimabdullah2925]

EXCELLENT, cheers Roger

[@t_mokgohloa]

Thank you. You just helped me fix my toilet

[@pizzaboy3946]

Thanks for the helpful video. I had to replace one similar but the fiber washer would not seal on the plastic thread. From them one, I've used the one with the brass shank, unless the feed to it is a flexible hose with a rubber washer.

[@davidjarrold]

really enjoyed this style of video

[@SkillBuilder]

Thanks. We will try and do more if the cameraman can stay awake.

[@declanmoran1894]

Once again thanks Roger great videos. I have to do this job for my mum since the guy she got in to fix it replaced the single flush siphon with a dual flush one. That's fine but now you'd want to be Rambo to flush it ! My mum is elderly . Anyway you can source the diaphragm in Screwfix for under €2 !

[@Designworx1]

Great videos brothers. Enjoyed the dialogue between you both. More of tha... ;) makes it more natural.

[@garrysmythe]

Good down to earth advice, thanks for posting from Garry in the UK

[@priestland1]

Had this problem and guess what it was the washer. Bits of limescale stopping the washer seating properly. Quick clean and hey presto. Wasn’t concerned about the cost of the complete assembly but the hassle that would have been replacing the assembly. So before you despair look at the washer first, either clean or replace.

[@thewaddy]

Excellent.. love the humour....

[@user-yd1xk3rs3h]

Brilliant video. Sorted it all for under a tenner!

[@woosheroes494]

As always...... appreciated !

[@RayleighGutterCleaning]

Top quality video, I'll be doing this tomorrow!

[@zedman442]

Nice video Roger. Ever since the brass shank float valves came a long I started using them, never go to plastic now too many times I have gone to jobs with knackerd threads. Fluid master Do good float valves. Replacing just washers on the old torbeck style float valves were worth while but they we're very finicky as they relied on back pressure.

[@SkillBuilder]

That is a good point Zed . A hybird valve with a brass tail is a much better bet. If you do have to connect to plastic the JG Speedfit connector is better than a brass nut because it only needs to be hand tight. Back in the day when I was replacing a lot of float valves they were brass and you just cracked open the union and fitted a BS Part 2. Great design, no moving parts inside.

[@nickcollins7568]

The Fluid masters with the brass shanks are even better. A few quid more but well worth it. No danger of crossthreading

[@subaru5552000]

Great demonstration video, I'm not a fan of the plastic thread model i always use the brass thread fluidmaster,

[@mikeboucnik-do6rq]

I installed hundreds of these in vancouver. Plumbing was so much easier in Canada 🇨🇦.

[@chandupatel8156]

Good one, I'll have a go, thanks.

[@fatherofthenoo]

Had to do this last year. Very simple to do but, like most plumbing jobs, awkward access.

[@wiggers41]

Good video roger, I would recommend a fluidmaster pro 45 B. As it has a brass shank no cross threading.

[@loafersheffield]

I agree and Screwfix are selling 'em for a fiver each. Saves buggering about with diaphragm changes.

[@prenticedarlington2720]

That's about as close as one can get to hands on training. Very good. I've noticed that, here in France, the water entry is normally high up on the side of the cistern (not from the bottom), and therefore one less potential leak to worry about. No need to mop up the inside of the cistern before changing the float valve, either. So, here's a question for a future video maybe: When to use a fibre washer or a rubber washer, and when to use PTFE or hemp and paste. Although, I can't imagine who could sponsor that video for you. :/

[@SkillBuilder]

Thanks Prentice Good observation. We have plenty of side entry cisterns in the U.K and the concealed ones tend to be high entry points. We will tackle the washers some time. We don't have sponsorship for all our videos so it isn't essential.

[@shegocrazy]

I gave this a like immediately on hearing you don't call it a "bathroom". I hate that term for the toilet/loo/dunny/crapper/throne room etc etc.

[@patgale8222]

can I replace with different types? thank you

[@stu7588]

Would this solve my noisy toilet as the old plastic ball valve is making a loud whining noise a manage to locate the noise and it coming from the white plastic value

[@JoshRPoole]

jolly flush / wirquin that mate the make of existing fill valve

[@LeiChat]

Thanks for the video. Are Fluid Master the best brand of bottom fill cistern valves available? 6420-D-001 versus PRO45B ??

[@SkillBuilder]

Yes they are

[@NicoSabatiniGuitar]

I have used these valves before and they work great. They come with a WRAS approval stamp, but I can't think how a bottom filling valve can comply with the AG/AUK1 air gap requirement of the Water Regs. Any idea, Roger?

[@SkillBuilder]

The air gap is at the top or there is a collapsible tube. It can't siphon back

[@Mr_Wanderlust1]

Hi hope ur well wanted ur advise everytime I flush my toilet upstairs when the water rises I can hear a thud noise vibration in the wall where my shower head is. Also if I open the mixer tap and dont close it gently it's also making the same noise from the shower head wall which is tiled back in March as new bathroom. Also if I open the mixer tap for hot water upstairs wether it's out of my sink or bath or shower head directly downstairs is my kitchen living room open plan I can hear tik tik noises. If I open the hot water mixer tap downstairs I can hear the thud vibration same place next to shower head in the wall which is tiled. And last but not least my bathroom downstairs the sink when we open it hardly and hot water is coming out of it. Any idea what is going on and the best solution for this as its quite disturbing. Its a new bathroom installed by a builder in march this year and new kitchen and extension. Also when I flush toilet upstairs when water comes up makes a thud noise in the wall next to shower head

[@agoogleuser1827]

Thanks very much. (PS would be lovely if the camera could stay on your work while you're talking so we can still see what you are doing)

[@kimchan2108]

This is the second one for the basement bat. kzbin.infoUgkxOuLt8IL_GxhhaK8DBuKEL-zV0UJVpWZn , works great

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

i cant seem to align my flusher properly so the urine flush is only used when u push the half button :(

[@MBHOMEIMPROVE]

Hi mate, what price would you suggest to charge for something on this sort of job? Thanks

[@SkillBuilder]

in London you could be looking at £180.00 in the country is could be as low as £60

[@MotorcycleRiderUK]

when replacing does it have to be a like for like make?

[@SkillBuilder]

No you can replace the old style long arm valve with a short one. The Torbeck is good but you have to get the right height so it isn't dangling about the water line. The Fluid master bottom or side entry fits most wcs but don't use them in a big water tank.

[@JAYG6390]

Hi Roger. Love the channel. When you turned the valve back on it looks like you don't fully turn it on. Is that normal practice? The reason I ask is my loo makes a horrendous loud noise through the pipes when the loo is flushed unless I restrict the water going through there considerably

[@SkillBuilder]

yes, if the pressure is high I often slow the flow down a bit.

[@JAYG6390]

@@SkillBuilder Excellent. Thanks for the very fast reply. Appreciate it! :)

[@yensabi]

Pay the extra few quid and get the brass thread version , much better and no chance of cross threading...... 👍

[@mikecann75]

man ive fixed so many toilets its unreal seeing im a plasterer :)

[@SkillBuilder]

Good to have a change of activity. People are usually grateful to have a loo back in action.

[@mikecann75]

thats true. good video by the way and your right about people using Silicone see that all the time when fixing toilets.

[@rodgerq]

Does the cistern feed require a double check valve?

[@SkillBuilder]

No it has an air gap

[@rodgerq]

@@SkillBuilder cheers 👌

[@richardlyons7582]

I always use a fish tank siphon, to remove the last bit of water in the cistern

[@SkillBuilder]

Back in the day I had all sorts of gadgets and sucked the high level ones out but I am trying to streamline my operation down to one drill and a hammer.

[@ooltimu]

Aren't you wasting more time using that than just wiping the droplets?

[@SkillBuilder]

I don't know if it is quicker to wipe the floor or mop out the cistern or maybe even get a bowl under it. Maybe you could do it faster one way that another but all that rushing around is bad for your ulcer and if you are too quick they aren't going to love you for charging them for an hour's labour. Zen and the Art of Plumbing.

[@iancameron1915]

How much should a plumber charge for this roughly

[@SkillBuilder]

This is one of those questions that is difficult to answer and it will vary enormously around the country. Some plumbers have a minimum call out which includes the first half hour. It is usually possible to complete the job in half an hour so you might get away with £50.00 plus vat plus the part. That said if you are in central London you have the congestion charge, parking, getting there which can be considerable, so it would not be unreasonable to expect to pay a £160.00 plus the part. Often the problem is finding someone interested in doing these small jobs. I used to enjoy them but it was difficult to fit in more than four or five a day.

[@TryDiy]

Always buy a fill valve with a brass thread not plastic.

[@SkillBuilder]

I agree, I told a customer that only the other week. I said "I could fit a crap one but I'm not going to and it is going to cost you a bit more".

[@andrewtomlinson18]

Brass shanks every time, not plastic.

[@multirole240]

Some of us morn the passing of the old simple brass ball valve with plastic ball float.

[@SkillBuilder]

I used to buy them by the box load

[@benzflynn]

No ballcock - fine. Cable pull flushing - not so sure.

[@ooltimu]

I wanted to ask why don't you just replace the washer, but you explained. It makes sense from the handyman's point of view, but if you're a DIYer, then it's cheaper and maybe faster to just replace the rubber washer.

[@SkillBuilder]

I think that a washer replacement is fine if you live there because it costs you nothing to go back but a new float valve is a sure bet.

[@ChoppingtonOtter]

ooltimu for the sake of a tenner I'd be tempted just to replace it... Having said that, I love fixing stuff and even more so if it cost only a 10p washer, that's satisfying.

[@SkillBuilder]

That 10 p washer is more like £2.80 for the Fluid Master washer.

[@ochiengokeyo2515]

This is genius. Roger, you're wasting your talent on plumbing. You should be a stand up comedian. Excellent tutorial though!

[@SkillBuilder]

Can I be a sit down comedian? I haven't seen one since Dave Allen

[@daveasnell]

That's all great if you can get to the side of the cistern to see what your doing but more often than not you can't then you have to do from the front and blind so to speak, I've been called to a few diy jobs where the customer thought they would save a few bob and ended up flooding the place it's cost them a lot more than £10.00 😆

[@SkillBuilder]

All plumbers have been to those jobs, It won't stop people having a go and some people succeed.

[@briandjordjevic9969]

Why do we call it the bathroom 😂

[@scott1506]

£!0 part £100 labour lol