Toilets have many moving parts. One of those parts is the closet spud. Known by other names such as a spud washer, closet spud gasket or simply a spud gasket, it comes in many styles, materials and designs. It has one purpose however, which is very important to your toilet and bathroom.
Part Identification
A closet spud washer is a round, cylindrical gasket with a beveled edge on one end and a flat edge on the other. It is about the size of a small tea cup. Some spuds are made of rubber, while others are made of brass, copper and rubber. Most spuds have an edge that is beveled into a cone, while the other edge has an internal bevel running along the lip. Most are threaded at one end to screw directly to the toilet.
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Where to Find it
A spud washer is inside the toilet itself. It is installed between the tank and the seat. It is actually part of the connection between the two parts of the toilet. It you remove the tank by unscrewing the two screws on the bottom of the tank and lift the tank off the toilet seat, you will see the spud gasket sitting on the back part of the toilet seat. It fits under the flapper valve, which is the part that lifts up to allow water into the bowl.
Function
The spud washer fits inside the toilet on the base where the tank drains into the bowl. forming a seal here to hold the water in the tank. It is designed to be a water-tight solution for connecting the tank and seat portion together, while allowing a passageway from the tank to the bowl. The rubber gasket prevents water leaks through compression when the spud gasket nut is tightened on the toilet.
Repairs
When the toilet leaks onto the floor, a faulty or worn out closet spud is one possible cause. If the water- tight nature of the spud is ruined, water may leak through the rubber seal and onto the floor. To repair, replace the spud by unscrewing the tank and removing it. Take out the old spud and replace it with a new one. Then reassemble the toilet by lifting the tank back onto the base and tightening the spud lock nut.