At their most basic, all toilets provide the same function. However, different designs from different brands can make selecting the correct replacement parts confusing, if not difficult. It doesn’t have to be. While toilets may have similar parts, each brand has its own measurements and materials for similar looking parts. With that in mind, it’s always best to find the manufacturer part number on the tank or toilet base you are working with to ensure the correct replacement part is selected. And while universal parts are available to fit most brands, other specialized toilets may need OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts to operate properly.
The images and part descriptions detailed here will help you select the parts you need as replacements, while also providing you an understanding of how that part operates. Zoro offers all of these parts and more at Zoro.com.
Float cup fill valves use a sliding float around the fill valve body to control the toilet tank water level. The float cup eliminates the need for a threaded rod (arm) and float ball, allowing for more space within the toilet tank.
Diaphragm fill valves use a threaded rod with a copper or plastic float ball to control the water level within the tank.
The refill tube and angle adapter supplies fresh water to the toilet bowl once the toilet is flushed. The refill tube is connected to the overflow tube by the angle adapter, while water is supplied through a barbed fitting on the fill valve.
The trip/tank lever and lift chain pulls the flapper or ball stop up, opening the valve for water to rush through, creating the flushing action.
The float ball raises or lowers the arm controlling the diaphragm valve, which either cuts off the flow of water or allows water to flow into the tank.
The float cup slides along the center of the fill valve, vertically opening or closing the water inlet and controlling the pre-set water level in the tank.
The flapper or ball stop covers the opening to the flush valve inside the toilet tank. When the trip lever is pressed the pull chain is lifted, raising the flapper and allowing the water in the tank to rush into the toilet bowl, creating the flushing action. Made in different sizes and shapes to control the flow of water from the tank to the bowl, flappers are specific to the flush valve of the toilet. By determining the manufacturer model number of your toilet tank you’ll be able to select the correct replacement flapper.
The overflow pipe allows water to flow through the flush valve into the toilet bowl. This pipe prevents the tank from overfilling while also allowing the refill tube to refill the toilet bowl with fresh water.
The flush valve assembly is where the flapper or ball stop is seated and allows water to siphon down into the toilet bowl. The assembly includes a tank bowl gasket which seals the connection between the tank and the bowl. Whenever the flush valve is replaced this gasket should be changed as well.
After you’ve located and learned the toilet tank model number stamped on the inside back of the tank, determining the correct gravity toilet replacement parts should be a breeze. When you have the model number, check out Zoro’s selection of toilet repair parts to finish the job. To keep your handiwork nice and clean, our selection of bathroom cleaners is also worth a look.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.