Toilet Flapper Repair

Occasionally, if the chain is too long, the chain can become wedged between the toilet flapper and toilet tank valve seat. If you see this is the case your toilet flapper repair job is very simple. Simply pull the chain out from underneath the toilet flapper and adjust the chain length so that it cannot inadvertently get stuck underneath the toilet flapper.

If the toilet lever and chain assembly look like they are connected properly, push down on the toilet tank lever as you normally would. You should observe that one end of the toilet flapper lifts up. When this happens water rushes out of the toilet tank and fills the toilet bowl, causing the flushing action. After a couple of seconds the toilet flapper should close over the toilet tank valve seat and water should begin to fill up again in the toilet tank. If you hear or see water continuously draining into the toilet bowl, even after the water has reached its maximum height in the toilet tank then most likely the toilet flapper is damaged or deformed.

The toilet flapper can become damaged due to a variety of reasons including the use of toilet bowl chemicals that are stored in the toilet tank. The chemicals can effectively eat away at the rubber toilet flapper to the point that it does not sit tightly over the toilet tank valve seat. Alternatively, the toilet flapper can also become deformed in shape, so that again it does not seat well on the toilet tank valve seat. In addition, minerals in the water can collect on the toilet flapper and toilet tank valve seat so that the toilet flapper does not close fully.

If you do hear or see water continuously draining into the toilet bowl, one simple toilet flapper repair that you can try, is wiping off the toilet flapper and toilet tank valve seat with a rag. To do this, first turn off the water supply inlet valve to the toilet. Then flush the toilet to drain much of the water out of the toilet tank. Finally use a rag to wipe down the surface areas of the toilet flapper and toilet tank valve seat. Turn the water supply inlet valve to the toilet back on and let the toilet tank fill. If you no longer hear or see water running into the toilet bowl after the tank fills, your toilet flapper repair job is complete. If, however, the toilet continuous to run even after the toilet tank is full, then again turn off the water supply inlet valve and flush the toilet.

Now remove the toilet flapper from the overflow pipe and disconnect the chain from the toilet flapper. Take the toilet flapper to a home improvement store and find a replacement toilet flapper.

When you return home, install the new toilet flapper, turn on the water to the toilet tank and let it fill. Again, listen and look for any signs of the toilet still running after the toilet tank has filled. With any luck, your running toilet problem should be history and you will have completed your first toilet flapper repair project.