How to Install Toilet Flappers
No one likes a leaky toilet. The constant sound of water running or gurgling can be highly annoying as well as costly. A licensed plumber can solve the problem quickly, but it will cost you. He will charge you for his time as well as put a hefty markup on the $6 piece it takes to fix the leak. While it is sometimes necessary to call a plumber, replacing the flapper on the toilet is an inexpensive and easy fix that almost anyone can accomplish. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Remove the ceramic lid on the tank. Be very careful while removing it and place it on a flat surface out of the way where it can't be knocked over or stepped on. Replacing a broken toilet lid can be very difficult, especially if the toilet is more than a few years old.
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2
Make sure the flapper is the problem. Other problems, such as a faulty flush valve or damaged ball, also cause leaking. The flapper is a rubber piece at the bottom of the tank that rises when the handle of the toilet is pushed down. Water then moves from the tank to the bowl and the flapper closes to allow the tank to refill. Add about a teaspoon of food coloring to the water in the tank; if the water in the bowl changes colors in a few minutes, you have a deteriorating flapper.
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3
Turn off the water supply. There should be a hose located on the wall behind the toilet that feeds water to the tank. Turn the oblong silver handle to the right until it is tight, then flush the toilet until there is no water left in the bowl or tank.
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4
Remove the chain from the tank lever.
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5
Remove the old flapper. It is attached to the flush valve by either pivot arms on each side or by a collar that slides over the valve. Detach the flapper from the arms or slide it off the flush valve.
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6
Attach the new flapper to the flush valve with the collar or mounting arms. Make sure the flapper is sitting properly and creates a tight seal with the valve seat, the hole at the bottom of the tank.
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7
Re-attach the chain to the flush lever and turn the water supply back on by turning the valve counter clockwise. The tank should fill with water.
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8
Check for leaking. Flush the toilet and allow the tank to refill. Look to see if any water is leaking into the bowl and listen for any running water. If no signs are present, replace the tank lid.
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Tips & Warnings
In-tank cleaners with bleach will damage a flapper and require it to be replaced more frequently.
