From a Master Plumber: How to Remove a Toilet Handle

Some people change their toilet handle because their current one has broken, while others change it because the current handle doesn’t match their faucet and shower handles. Whatever your reason for changing your toilet handle, there are a couple of things to know which can make the job easier.

Removing the Old Handle

You may have tried removing a toilet handle and noticed the nut seemed to get tighter, not looser. It’s not just your imagination – it probably did happen. That’s because a toilet handle has a left-handed thread. Most threads are right-handed and tighten with a clockwise turn. This means that to remove a toilet handle nut, you have to turn it clockwise to loosen, not counterclockwise. A pair of small pliers may be required, as there is usually not room in the area of the handle.

Installing the New Handle

As with the old handle, the new handle will most likely have a left-handed thread. The nut will need to be turned counterclockwise to tighten. Snug the nut with a pair of small pliers, but don’t over tighten it. The handle won’t work properly if it is over tightened.