Q&A for How to Fix a Flapper on a Toilet

In the case where the flapper closes too quickly, get one that has more buoyancy, such as the Hornet V (buy online) or a universal one by Korky (at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.). These two tend to float on top of the water as it drains downward. Avoid flappers that have a small round hole in the front of the flapper cone, as the hole reduces buoyancy.

Get a plastic straw cut length wise about 2/3 the length of the chain and wrap it around the chain.

If the flapper chain has a float on it, lower the float closer to the flapper. It can slide down the chain and then lock in place. When the float is lower it is buoyed up by the water longer and holds the flapper up longer. If you have the float placed too high, it is pulled out of the water quickly when you flush and doesn't provide the buoyant counter force for a long enough time.

Put a thin layer of Vaseline around bottom flat part of the flapper. This will act as a lubricant and should solve the problem.

That means the chain is too long. Move the chain's hook to a lower position closer to the flapper.

If you have a float on the flapper chain, lower the float towards the flapper to increase time and amount of flush.

When you flush a toilet, the water tank need to refill. Since there are minimal sound barriers, you hear the sound of water being expelled from the toilet and then the sound of rushing water as the tank refills.

If you mean the pin, you can try replacing this with a bent piece of copper wire or tubing that is held in place with a hose clamp. This is a temporary fix. In time, you may have to replace the complete overflow tube and drain valve assembly.

Make sure the toilet is completely drained of water and try applying some WD-40 or gasoline. If that doesn't work, remove the PVC pipe (the water supply tube) with the flapper attached and replace both the piping and flapper.

Purchase a new flapper with arms that accommodate the size of your water supply hose.

Try putting some silicone grease on the inside tank wall where it rubs. New flappers always help if that doesn’t do it.

Yes. You can also try WD-40 or remove any plumber's tape to make the fit looser.

Push it down by hand and then tighten the chain. Keep adjusting the chain length until it seals every time.

If the chain is too short, give it some slack. If the new flapper is seated but leaks, there may be hard water build up on the hard plastic seat it rests on; try scraping off the hard water build up on the flapper seat with out scratching it. If cracked or damaged, replace seat and riser tube.

Is the slack on the chain sufficient? Is the flapper not hinging well? Add some Vaseline or plumber's grease to the posts the flapper hinges on.

If you turn off the water supply and remove all of the water then it shouldn't.

It sounds like you have a Mansfield system. Find a vendor that sells the flat ring washers that sit on the seal faces of those stacked tubes (or buy a standard toilet).

If the rubber loop on the flapper tore off, then yes. If the flapper is okay and has the loop, just reconnect the chain. If in doubt, a new flapper and chain is less than $5 at your local hardware store.

Put it back on, with a better clip or loop of copper wire (which won’t rust) if needed

Are both hinge ears on the posts on the overflow pipe? If not, put them both on the posts to keep it hinged in place.

It's possible the chain is too loose or has too much slack in it, which can cause the flapper to hang open and not close fully. Remove the lid from the tank and remove the chain connected to the handle arm and flapper. Hook paperclip to the handle arm and a link on the chain that removes the slack so it opens and closes the flapper properly. Adjust the placement of the paperclip if you need to.

Toilet flappers and the seal around them can wear out over time. You can tell if it needs to be replaced by listening for running water. If the water runs continuously in the tank, or if it takes a really long time to fill the tank, there's likely a problem with the flapper. Also, if the totally occasionally flushes on its own, it can be a sign of a worn-out flapper.

Not necessarily. While it was once common for most toilets to use the same flapper, modern toilets can have specific flappers that range in their sizes. Check the owner's manual or look up the make and model of your toilet to find out for sure what size flapper it uses. If you don't have a manual and you don't know the make and model, measure the size of the existing flapper that you have and try your best to match it with a new one.

That means that water is gradually escaping. The bottom of the flapper will feel greasy. Clean it with washing-up liquid.