How to Fix a Toilet Flapper

A constant running water sound from your toilet is usually a sign that you need to fix your toilet flapper. The flapper sits at the bottom of the tank and is attached to the tank handle. By pressing the handle, you raise a rod that lifts up the flapper and allows the water inside the tank to rush into the bowl and carry away the waste into the drain. A leaking flapper cause the toilet to constantly refill. Fixing a toilet flapper is an easy enough task for the first-time do-it-yourselfer, and it could save you money on your water bill.

Things You'll Need

• Silicone grease
• Replacement flapper
• Fishing weight

Instructions

1. Cut the water supply for the toilet where you want to fix the flapper. Locate the hose leading from the bottom of the tank to the water-supply valve underneath and behind the tank. Rotate the knob on the end of the valve to the right to shut off the water.

2. Remove the tank lid. Carefully set it to the side.

3. Press down on the handle to flush the toilet. Continue holding down on the handle until all the water inside the tank is gone.

4. Follow the pull chain from the end of the handle rod in the tank to the bottom of the tank where it meets the toilet flapper assembly. Unhook the end of the chain from the flapper.

5. Thoroughly clean the underside of the flapper as well as the edges of the drain hole inside the tank. Built-up sediment can keep the flapper from closing properly, and sometimes a good cleaning fixes the problem.

6. Check to see if the flapper now seals correctly, if not it's best to just replace it -- they're very inexpensive. Remove the flapper from the tank -- the method used depends on the flapper. Some flappers can be snapped out by pulling gently on the hinge. Others must be removed by pulling them out of the tank and over the overflow tube. Take the flapper with you to the store to get an exact replacement.

7. Replace the flapper in the tank, making sure that the right side is facing downward. Reconnect the flapper chain.

8. Add fishing weights to fix a slow-closing flapper. Attach them with a small bit of wire or chain to the top of the flapper. This adds weight to the flapper, helping it close faster and keeping it shut tight.

9. Turn on the water supply by rotating the water-supply valve knob counterclockwise. Allow the tank time to fill. Flush the tank and check that the flapper is working properly. Replace the lid.

References

• HammerZone; Replacing a Toilet Flapper Valve; Bruce W. Maki
• Ask the Builder; Toilet Flapper Valve Video; Tim Carter
• Home Improvements Depot: Toilet Keeps Running? Replace the Flapper!