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

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The flapper on my toilet wither closes too soon or does not close at all, depending on how much I tighten the lock nut on the flush handle. There is no float on the style I have. I have tried replacing the flush handle, but it acts the same way. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I unkink a lift chain?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What if the flapper closes before enough water flushes from the tank?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Our flush handle is very hard to push down to start the flush. It is like the flapper is stuck. What can I do to make the handle easier to push down?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Everything works, but the chain floats under the flapper. What should I do?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How can I adjust the flapper valve so that it does not close too quickly?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Why is the toilet noisy when flushed?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

The piece on the overflow tube broke so now the flapper won't close right. What should I do?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What do I do if my flapper sticks against the white PVC pipe in the center and I can't pull the "ears" off the sides to remove and replace it?

Tyler MacDonald

Community Answer

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.

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Question

My flapper arms too long to attach. What can I do to shorten them so they attach?

Tyler MacDonald

Community Answer

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

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Question

If the flapper occasionally catches on the side of the tank, do I need a new flapper?

Community Answer

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

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Question

New flapper pushing it down the tube is very tight/can I use vaseline to make it slide easier?

Tyler MacDonald

Community Answer

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

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Question

When flushing the flapper stays up I have to push it down by hand?

Tyler MacDonald

Community Answer

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

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Question

What do I do if I replaced the flapper, but the water still comes under the flapper continuously?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What do I do if the flapper only goes partway down when I flush the toilet? How do I fix it?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Will water come out of the overflow tube?

Tyler MacDonald

Community Answer

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

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Question

My flapper doesn't look like these; it looks like two small pieces of pipe stuck together with the flapper on the bottom. What should I do?

Community Answer

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).

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Question

Do I need to replace the flapper when the chain breaks from it?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What should I do if the chain has come loose from the flapper?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What should I do if the new flapper continues to come off of the overflow pipe?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Why is toilet flapper not closing?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do you know if you need a new toilet flapper?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Are toilet flappers universal?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What do I do if my toilet is making gurgling sounds every few minutes?

Community Answer

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

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