How To Replace A Broken Flush Handle

A toilet flush handle, or flush lever, occassionally give up and break down. Here's how to quickly fix your loo handle, and get your toilet to flush once again. Enlarge

How To Replace A Broken Flush Handle

A toilet flush handle, or flush lever, occassionally give up and break down. Here's how to quickly fix your loo handle, and get your toilet to flush once again.

Step 1: Dismantle

Take the top of the cistern off and place it carefully to one side. The loo seat should be down, you don't want anything falling in while you work.

Unhook and remove the trip lever - this is the fancy name for bit that connects the handle with the other bits inside, it's usually made of plastic.

Unscrew the nut that holds the handle in place, this can be a bit tricky as this nut is reverse threaded, which means you must it clockwise to undo. Remove the handle.

Step 2: The Replacement

Take note of the hole the toilet tank the handle fits into, annoyingly these come in all different sizes, as do trip levers. It's best if you take your entire broken toilet handle to a DIY store to make sure the replacement is the right size.

Step 3: Reassemble

Slot the new handle into position. Slide on the nut and screw in firmly, tightening with an adjustable wrench. Take care not too over tighten, you don't want it to crack. And don't forget its reverse threaded so turn anticlockwise.

Slide the trip lever onto the end of the handle and rehook it. It can be a little fiddly getting this in the right position for the flush mechenism to work. Now have a go at flushing the toilet. Good work!