How to Repair a Toilet Flapper

Toilet leaks can cause excessive water bills. One reason for your toilet to leak is a worn out flapper. Replace or repair your toilet flapper and save on your water bill.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check your toilet. Take the top of the toilet tank off and look inside. Now flush your toilet to see what happens.

2. Observe the toilet flapper. This is on the bottom of the tank. This part keeps the water in the tank until you flush. Flushing causes the chain to rise and pull the flapper up to allow water back into the toilet.

3. See if the flapper is fitting tightly over the hole. Replace the flapper if the water continues to run into the toilet. Do not repair the flapper since it only costs three or four dollars to replace.

4. Make an adjustment in the chain length if the flapper is too loose or too tight. The flapper does not need replacement or repair in this circumstance.

5. Replace the flapper if needed. Turn off the water to the toilet. Remove the chain that connects the flush lever.

6. Remove the old flapper by sliding it up. Take it completely off the overflow tube.

7. Install new flapper by sliding it back down the overflow tube to the same position the old one was in. Make sure it touches bottom. Center it on the valve. Reinstall the chain that connects the flush lever. Turn the water back on.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn off the water to the toilet before you begin your repair. You can turn off the whole house water supply or use the individual toilet shut off valve, if your toilet has one.