How to Keep Flapper Valves From Leaking

There aren't many things more annoying than a toilet that runs continuously. When wiggling and jiggling the flush handle doesn't seem to work, it is time to take more serious action. The culprit is probably not the flush arm, but the rubber flapper that is mounted at the bottom of the toilet back tank. The flapper is attached to the flush arm by a small piece of chain. If the toilet flapper valve leaks, the chain and flapper need to be adjusted.

Things You'll Need

• Marine grease

Instructions

1. Lift the ceramic cover off the back of the toilet tank and set if safely aside.

2. Push the flush lever and watch the flush arm mechanism. Check first to make sure the chain is attached to the end of the flush arm. Sometimes the chain can come loose and get caught in the flapper which will cause the flapper to leak and the toilet to run.

3. Check the length of the chain and adjust it if it is too long or short. Adjust the chain by hand by removing it from the small hook at the end of the flush arm and then setting it back on the hook at either a shorter or longer length. Test the length out by pushing down on the flush handle.

4. Dab a small amount of marine grease on the bottom of the flapper seal to help it bond to the valve ring when it closes.

References

• Toiletflapper Org: How to Replace a Toilet Flapper
• "Complete Home Plumbing"; Scott Atkinson; 2001