| The first thing I check, when people
tell me this, is the flapper at
the bottom of the toilet tank. Carefully remove the tank cover from the top of the toilet tank and place it out of the way and in a safe place.This is important, because they are easy to break and hard to replace. Look down into the tank. Slightly push on the handle enough to see the chain move up and down. The chain (or vinyl string) is attached at the top to the trip-lever, and at the bottom to the flapper.
The flapper is usually black vinyl or rubber, and plugs the hole (flush valve)that lets the water go to the toilet bowl when you flush. Roll up your sleeve so you don't get wet. Flush the toilet, reach down and touch the bottom of the flapper rubbing your fingers on it. Did your fingers get dirty, black colored, and icky?
That means your flapper is old, worn, and letting the water seep through to the toilet. When the water seeps through the flapper, the water comes on to fill the tank. It seeps a little, and fills a little. When you jiggle the handle you are re-seating the flapper over the hole and it stops....at least for a while. Solution: Replace your flapper. It's easy and you can do it. 1. First shut the water off. The valve is under the tank, behind the toilet about 6" up. 2. Flush the toilet, to get rid of most of the water in the tank. 3. Disconnect the chain, or vinyl cord from the trip-lever. It just hooks on there. 4. Look at the flapper at the bottom of the tank to see where it is connected to the overflow tube. Remove the flapper from the two side pins. You're see that the flapper has two loop holes that hang on the pins. 5. That's it...its out...You have removed the flapper. Now take it to the hardware store and buy a new one. Take it with you because there are several types, and you want the hardware clerk to find one that will work with your toilet. 6. Before you install the new one use a clean rag to wipe the hole at the bottom of the tank (where the flapper sits.) to clean off any particles which might prevent the flapper from sealing. Install new flapper by connecting the bottom first, hanging the loops to the pins; then hook your chain to the trip-lever. Lucky 7. YOU did it. Turn the water on and let the tank fill. Flush to test your fine work. If it doesn't flush right you might have to adjust the linkage on the chain. Be Patient. Try one up; try one down; try 2 up; try 2 down. You'll get it! Sometimes the flapper doesn't seal against the hole to the toilet bowl. Be sure that the rim is clean as in step # 6. After a few flushes, and a little coaxing with light pressure, it should get used to its new home, and seal. Be patient. It'll work fine tomorrow. back to What's
Wrong with the Toilet? |
