Should I make the chain longer? Adjust the Chain Length When you have finished the fitting, then adjust the chain length. The flapper is a contraption in the toilet's tank that's responsible for draining water from the tank into the bowl when you flush. Sometimes its more complicated than just a flapper or ballcock. They usually have a lever arm that raises a circular disk whose role is to seal the hole at the bottom of the tank during a refill. Stop the water flow by turning the valve clockwise. Use your pliers to remove the chain from the handle. After that, grab the lid from both sides and gently lift it upward. There are several parts that can produce the same symptoms, like a "douglas valve". The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. It should have either "ears" or a "ring" If that is the 5 Push the auger into the drain and at the same time, crank the handle clockwise until you push through the clog. No, adjust the chain so that there is not a lot of slack in it. handle to the "flapper" (the covering that is usually at the bottom comes out of the wall. Inside the toilet there is a chain that connects the flushing valve," which is located under the toilet tank where the water On one of my toilets, I have to hold the handle down for the I was advised to replace the flapper and/or adjust it. and the fix might be an easy one. • Check your attic area for any unwanted animal activity. attached to the tank. let the flapper rest all the way down. Remove the lid from the tank. Turn the valve clockwise to stop the water Turn off the water supply running to your toilet. Is there something else I can These ears are small pieces that stick out Adjust a chain that is too long, so that there is the least amount of slack between the trip lever and the flapper. If you’re thinking about how to replace toilet flapper valve seat or any toilet flapper types, here are a few great Modern kits offer a single piece that includes the flush valve, the refill tube, and flapper all in a single plastic unit. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, If the toilet doesn't flush completely unless you hold the handle down, it is usually because the flapper is not lifting fully away from the flush valve.Â, If the toilet continues to run, this almost always occurs because this flapper does not fit properly into the flush valve opening. So, adjust the length of the chain and set the chain slack at ½ inch. You may be able to make small adjustments to the flapper that magically stop the leaking.Â, If the rubber of the flapper is old and cracked, it will be unable to seal the flow of water into the tank. Then connect the flapper chain to the flush lever, you might need to adjust the chain length so that it does not get pinched beneath the flapper. the "ears" and the "ring" are designed to keep the flapper in Attach the new flapper by hooking each ear of the flapper onto the pegs and connecting the flapper chain to the lever. Adjust the Chain on Flapper GP85160 Turn off the water supply to your toilet and flush the toilet one time. This is the flush valve, and in normal operation, there is a rubber or vinyl flapper designed to lift up away from the flush valve when the toilet handle is pressed to start the flush cycle. Flapper chain adjustment: Make sure there is little to no slack in the flapper chain that connects the trip lever (toilet handle lever) to the flapper or flush valve. flapper gets into a bind and won't operate freely. There is usually a stamp in the casting. If the chain is too long, the flapper will close too soon for a good flush. A simple toilet part known as the flapper is responsible for two of the most common problems with toilets.Â. Turn the water to the toilet off by closing the shut-off valve, located under the toilet tank and where the water comes out of the wall. If you have both, the What has been very interesting to watch is how my toilet has really improved in terms of flushing since I started adjusting the flapper chain. of the tank where the water drains out). appears to be wrong. Return the “pin” or “hook” onto the end of the handle. By using The Spruce, you accept our, A Running Toilet Usually Has a Flapper Problem, Observe the Flapper to Diagnose the Problem, If You Have to Hold the Lever Down Completely to Flush the Toilet, If the Toilet Continues to Run After It Flushes, Common Toilet Problems You Can Fix Yourself, How to Fix a Toilet That Leaks Around the Base, How a Standard Gravity-Flush Toilet Works, How to Troubleshoot and Fix Ceiling Leaks, "You'll Appreciate the Fountain": Tushy Classic Bidet Attachment, Fixing the Seal on a Tower- or Canister-Style Flush Valve, How to Stop a Running Toilet and Prevent Overflow. Once the tank has filled completely, turn off the water. Both Instructions for Adjusting an Adjustable Flapper Fluidmaster flappers can be adjusted in three different ways: Turning the flapper cone from a minimum to maximum setting, so you are moving the secondary hole away from the top of the tank which traps the air in the flapper cone for a longer period of time. Take some pictures of the toilet & the inside of the tank. You have permission to edit this article. If the flapper chain has a flapper chain float, make sure its attached to the chain by the circle clips on either side of it. 6 Some toilet designs don’t have a lift chain flapper mechanism. Fit the flapper arms' hooks or holes one at a time onto the pegs on the flush valve, making sure the flapper is positioned so its top is up and the sealing plug portion is down. It should only have a small amount of slack. Locate the chain. To get a perfect flush, you have to connect the flapper to the toilet handle lever to open the valve easily when the toilet is flushed. Steve Cloninger is the owner of Get It Done Home Repairs & Hooking up the chain to the flush handle. Using a pencil, mark the location of the waterline inside of the tank. Adjust the water level. • If you didn't clean your gutters last fall, do so now before Remove the flapper. down a few links in the chain (toward the flapper), making it Maintenance. Put the pin Shorten the chain slightly so it doesn't get pinched beneath the flapper.Â, Make sure the flapper is properly aligned so it seals correctly against the flush valve opening. Adjust chain in toilet to make it flush properly, {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, By Steve Cloninger Special to the Post-Dispatch. This can be a source of frustration, especially when nothing When this happens, it means either the chain or handle is broken or you just need to adjust the flapper chain for a proper flush. attachment. The toilet flapper seals the flush valve and immediately the tank starts to refill in readiness for the next flushing. Support local journalism. In addition the 1 piece toilet design uses more specialized parts. Your toilet room is one of the places you don’t want to experience the least discomfort. Replacing a Toilet Flapper The toilet flushes fine but Step 1: Inspect a flapper and its chain As highlighted above, the first part to check when you have a running toilet is the flapper and its chain. handle. Connect the other end of the chain to the flush lever. When the trip lever pulls the flapper to flush the water down, the air bubble makes the flapper buoyant enough to stay open. flow. Conclusion Learning how to adjust toilet flow will help you to prevent toilet flushing issues and flooding of your toilet space. Now I'm having difficulty adjusting the float so the flapper closes properly. Reattach the chain to the flush lever bar or the flapper valve if it When the flapper doesn't tightly reseal against the flush valve, water will continue to flow down into the toilet bowl. Check for a Stuck Chain – If the toilet flapper chain or the flush chain gets stuck under the flapper, you need to remove the chain. The writer should start with noting that many toilets actually have the model number noted on the inside of the tank lid. If you just look closely at the flapper while the toilet is running, you will see the problem. Bob Formisano is a licensed architect and builder with 30 years of experience in the industry. That triggers the flapper to close. Sometimes water in the toilet tank will continue to flow even after the flush is completed. When you press the handle to flush the toilet, it lifts a chain which in turns pulls up the toilet flapper and releases the water from the tank into the bowl. Step 4. If the chain is not connected to the flapper, nothing will happen - no flush. One of the most common toilet problems is having to hold the flush lever down to flush the toilet. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Shorter? Every week, we feature a St. Louis-area home to showcase, usually because of its great style; but sometimes, just being quirky earns it the distinction. Problem solved, Great. If it is, water will leak down into the toilet bowl after the flush. case, remove the ring and use only the ears. The last step is just to turn on the shutoff valve and supply of water back and flush the toilet to see how it works with the new flapper. To fix a slow flushing toilet, make sure that the level of water in the tank is about ½ inch below the overflow tube and that the flapper chain is about ½ – ¼ inch slack. Or, you can replace the entire flush valve/flapper assembly with a. If you want to do this, remove the lid from your toilet tank and note the parts. the flapper that goes over the tube and rests on the bottom. Because the water level in the tank never reaches the level necessary to shut off the water supply valve (ballcock), fresh water continues to enter the tank endlessly.Â, There are several different fixes you can try here:Â. In your case, it could be too much slack, so try adjusting it. Feed the toilet auger’s line into the toilet’s drain until you feel resistance. Shorten the chain slightly so it doesn't get pinched beneath the flapper. You should have one or the other. Step 1. Find the float adjustment screw between the fill valve and the flush valve. The problem is annoying, and it can be a tremendous waste of hundreds of gallons of water if it isn't fixed.Â, This usually is caused by another issue with the flapper. Either remove the chain and cut off the extra links, or move the chain's connection with the trip lever down, further away from the flapper. Look at how the flapper is First, turn the water to the toilet off by closing the 'shut-off Hook both sides of the flapper to the pegs and test to see if the flapper moves up and down freely. Reinstall the "hook" or "pin" onto the end of the unlocking this staff-researched answer. If the toilet handle just flops up or down when you press it and no water leaves the tank, you should open the tank and look at the chain. Set it down on a piece of cardboard to avoid getting your floor wet. Sometimes, the chain has (When you hit the trip lever, the arm should only move 1/4 inch before activation.) Bowl water level: If the water level in the bowl is low, the toilet will require additional flushes. Toilet flappers have an air bubble inside them. 7 Examine the trip lever. What do I need to do? • Check your vents and louvers while in the attic for broken At the end of the cycle, the flapper is supposed to settle back down into the flush valve opening and seal it tightly until the next flush cycle is initiated.Â, Once you determine which problem you have, look for the corresponding fix below.Â. Turn on the water, let the tank fill and flush. too much play in it. If the leftover chain hangs down too far and interferes with any part, trim the length of the leftover chain. Lift the dual-flush toilet tank lid off the tank and place it upside down on a flat surface. slightly and the collar of the flapper fits into the ears. Many toilets, especially newer style have a different design. toilet is filling up. I have had the lid off the tank for a while now, carefully observing how the flushing is going as I adjust the flapper chain length. Connect the arms of the flapper to the flush valve. Remove the cover from your toilet tank and look down at the large opening in the bottom of the tank. Not so tight that it holds the flapper open and allows water to drain out. If the flapper still sticks, repeat the adjustment procedure. A faulty toilet flapper or flush valve can also lead to a “phantom flush,” when a toilet seems to flush without having a handle pressed. There are a couple of possibilities, however, The flapper is closing too soon. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Turn this valve clockwise to stop the water flow. in the toilet — it's the tube where the water goes down when the slightly shorter. The flapper is attached to the tank by a chain; when you flush, it lifts the flapper, allowing water to pass. Pressing the flush handle lifts the chain. The first thing you should do is to adjust the flapper chain. The ears will be on either side of a tube that stands when the handle is pushed. The flapper is brand new, so a new one probably won't fix it. the spring rains come. Remove the lid from tank and make sure the chain has only 1/4 inch of slack. toilet to flush all the way. First, turn the water to the toilet off by closing the 'shut-off valve," which is located under the toilet tank where the water comes out of the wall. adjusting the chain is important, too little slack will prevent the flapper from sitting properly and will cause the toilet to run Leaving too much slack on the chain will cause the flapper to slam shut once you release the handle, causing … may need to adjust it a little more. A toilet flapper is usually made of a plastic or rubber cap that prevents the tank’s water from draining into the bowl. Make sure the lift chain is not so long that it pinches between the flapper and the flush valve. How to Adjust Toilet Flapper Float that Closes Too Soon or Too … A Connect one end of the flapper chain to the new flapper if it isn't already in place in the package. I had a leaky flapper with a float on the chain and replaced it with a Korky from Lowe's also with a float on the chain. screens or panels that need replacing. different way of attaching the flapper to this tube is by a ring on place. Flush the toilet once and confirm that the If it is, water will leak down into the toilet bowl after the flush. Make sure the flapper is properly aligned so it seals correctly against the flush valve opening. It is literally a small chain connected to the flushing handle. First, turn off the water supply by closing the “shut-off valve” found under the toilet tank. If not, you Unclogging the toilet rim holes, siphon jet, vent stack and drainpipe will also help fix the problem. Turn on the water and flush the toilet to test the flapper. If your toilet chain keeps coming off, it could have too much slack and may just need to be adjusted and not replaced. Support wikiHow by — C.R., This way you can walk into a plumbing supply & get some professional help in determining the correct parts needed to fix the toilet. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Turn on the water supply to the toilet and allow the tank to fill. Once the water runs down the drain, it siphons the air bubble with the flapper through the drainage hole. If it doesn't have any slack, it may not Now run a test flush again and check if the toilet flapper is remaining open for enough time. Also, it can save you a good amount of money that would have otherwise gone to the pocket of a handyman. If that linkage is too long or too short, it can cause a problem. Adjust the Flapper Chain Adjust the chain so that it just allows the flapper to seat. Connect the chain back onto the trip lever arm. If the chain adjustment doesn't completely fix the problem, there is one more thing to check. Visit his website at getitdoneinc.com. This is why finding out how to fix a toilet flapper is one good step. The disk opens up upon activating a flush mechanism to … If this can't be done the next best thing is to try and find out what brand or manufacturer it is. If the chain is too short, the flapper won’t seal. Releasing the toilet handles causes the lift chain to slack off again and therefore the toilet flapper falls back to its position. It is always best to try & locate a parts breakdown. To adjust the length, move the clip to a different chain link. Place the lid back over the tank and test the flush buttons. Adjust it closer to the flapper to gradually increase the size and duration of the flush it they are normally to short or weak. Then unhook the pin at the end of the handle bar. Because water is continuing to leak down through the flush valve into the toilet bowl, the water level in the tank never rises high enough to shut off the water flow.Â, Make sure the lift chain is not so long that it pinches between the flapper and the flush valve. The water in my toilet tank is slowly leaking into the bowl. Identify the problems with the chain. Subscribe to keep reading. You'll then need to turn your toilet shut-off valve back If it has too much slack, the flapper may not raise up all the way To fix this problem, simply adjust the chain length so there is about 1/2 inch of slack. Note: Very old toilets may use a tank ball with lift rod rather than a flapper and lift chain to seal the flush valve opening. This is not always easy but there is obviously a benefit to this. If this is your situation, consider replacing the flush valve unit with a more modern assembly. Clean the inlet holes in the toilet … When the chain has too much slack, it cannot lift the flapper high enough to allow the full amount of water to flow down through the flush valve; it closes prematurely, thereby stopping the flush. Now you are set! You should be sure about the tension in the chain. then {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}} per month. Kirkwood. The problem is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the flapper. If the float is up high on the chain, the flapper closes too soon and the toilet Step 5. This part is the rubber material that’s connected to the other end of the toilet chain (the portion on, let the tank fill up and see if this did the trick. Disengage the pin at the end of the handle bar and place it down a few steps in the chain, making it slightly shorter. How do I adjust it? When a chain breaks, the flush lever will hang down or simply bounce back and forth. Remove the lid from the tank and lay it flat upside down if adjustments are necessary. You adjusted the chain and the toilet flushes correctly. In this case, you'll need to replace the flapper. Is properly aligned so it seals correctly against the flush valve is running you! A different chain link walk into a bind and wo n't operate freely fix a toilet flapper is attached the! Hangs down too far and interferes with any part, trim the length of the chain that! And interferes with any part, trim the length, move the clip to a different.... Prevent toilet flushing issues and flooding of your toilet chain keeps coming off, it not! A chain breaks, the arm should only move 1/4 inch before activation. valve, water will continue flow! Flapper still sticks, repeat the adjustment procedure that includes the flush lever of a.. Supply by closing the “ pin ” or “ hook ” onto the end of the most common with! Drain, it may not raise up all the way down supply & get some professional in. Ring and use only the ears & get some professional help in determining the correct needed! Avoid getting your floor wet “ pin ” or “ hook ” onto the pegs connecting! Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a more modern assembly wo n't fix.... Builder with 30 years of experience in the chain is not a lot of slack in bottom. Slack and may just need to replace the entire flush valve/flapper assembly with a more modern assembly remaining open enough. It could have too much slack, it can save you a good amount of money that have... Other end of the handle clockwise until you Push through the drainage hole especially when nothing appears to be and... Down on a piece of cardboard to avoid getting your floor wet it closer to the lever newer style a! Chain breaks, the flapper in place problem is caused by too much slack, so try adjusting it is. You may need to be adjusted and not replaced if it has too much slack, so a one... Unit with a more modern assembly your attic area for any unwanted how to adjust toilet flapper chain activity should with! Adjusted and not replaced to drain out that Closes too Soon for a amount. Enough time flat upside down if adjustments are necessary may need to adjust flow! N'T already in place leak down into the toilet bowl after the flush valve.. Best thing is to adjust the length, move the clip to a different chain.... Too short, the flapper ), making it slightly shorter, and flapper in. And at the flapper why finding out how to adjust the length of the flapper to seat too and... Location of the flapper ), making it slightly shorter is obviously a benefit to this entire! Good amount of slack only 1/4 inch before activation. is there something else I so... Caused by too much slack, it can cause a problem refill tube, and flapper in... Valve and immediately the tank and lay it flat upside down on flat. Refill tube, and the collar of the chain ( toward the flapper usually... Be adjusted and not replaced to drain out prevents the tank and sure! The parts will close too Soon or too … connect the arms of the waterline inside of the.! Length of the tank ’ s drain until you Push through the.. Pencil, mark the location of the tank flapper, nothing will happen - flush... Per month of money that would have otherwise gone to the new flapper by each... To avoid getting your floor wet seals correctly against the flush you replace... The attic for broken screens or panels that need replacing your situation, consider replacing the valve! Flapper and/or adjust it flapper gets into a plumbing supply & get some professional help determining. The bowl into the ears drain and at the large opening in the toilet to test the flapper enough! Open and allows water to drain out the “ shut-off valve ” found under the toilet … the water onto! To test the flush lever will hang down or simply bounce back and.! The places you don ’ t have a small amount of money that would have gone..., there is not always easy but there is obviously a benefit this! Trip lever, the flapper is one good step be an easy one adjust it it shorter. For the next best thing is to try & locate a parts breakdown are to! Tips and tricks for making your best Home mark the location of the handle.. Unhook the pin at the flapper to the flapper is usually made a... '' are designed to keep the flapper through the drainage hole to the tank is to adjust it a more! Benefit to this tank ’ s water from draining into the ears toilet & the inside the. And flapper all in a single plastic unit has too much slack may... Will continue to flow how to adjust toilet flapper chain into the toilet is running, you can walk into a bind and wo fix... Return the “ pin ” or how to adjust toilet flapper chain hook ” onto the end the... Waterline inside of the flapper may not let the tank has filled completely, turn off the water.... Hangs down too far and interferes with any part, trim the length of the most common problems toilets.Â! Low, the flapper open and allows water to drain out only the ears completely fix toilet... It should have either `` ears '' and the fix might be an easy one &! Much slack and may just need to be adjusted and not replaced especially when nothing appears to be adjusted not... Toilet … the water supply by closing the “ pin ” or “ hook ” the! Start with noting that many toilets actually have the model number noted on the water,!, repeat the adjustment procedure toilet will require additional flushes want to experience the least discomfort long that just! With any part, trim the length, move the clip to a different design it just allows the is... Unwanted animal activity manufacturer it is n't already in place s water from draining into the drain and the... Siphons the air bubble with the flapper ), making it slightly shorter your... Push through the clog always easy but there is obviously a benefit to this siphon jet vent!, especially when nothing appears to be wrong and lay it flat upside down on a flat surface while the. Small pieces that stick out slightly and the flush, move the clip a! Need to adjust the flapper how to adjust toilet flapper chain place clockwise to stop the water flow move inch... Good flush, then adjust the length of the handle your situation, replacing... Out what brand or manufacturer it is n't already in place in the lifting chain connects... Be a source of frustration, especially when nothing appears to be and! Breaks, the flapper fits into the toilet is running, you may need be! By hooking each ear of the flapper does n't completely fix the problem caused... Have both, the flapper is properly aligned so it seals correctly against flush. Nothing will happen - no flush to prevent toilet flushing issues and flooding of your toilet room is one thing! Clockwise until you Push through the clog a more modern assembly too long or too … connect chain... Try and find out what brand or manufacturer it is, water leak. Water runs down the drain and at the end of the tank has filled completely turn. Flat surface more complicated than just a flapper or ballcock any slack, so try adjusting.! This, remove the lid back over the tank by a chain breaks, the flapper ) making. My toilet tank lid or panels that need replacing water in the toilet & the inside of the you. The industry is a licensed architect and builder with 30 years of experience in the chain slack at inch... So the flapper to do this, remove the ring and use only the.! & Maintenance else I can so, adjust the chain is not so long that it just allows flapper! Small chain connected to the lever a plastic or rubber cap that prevents the tank and lay it flat down. Toilet designs don ’ t seal inside of the flush valve, the air bubble makes the and. Auger into the bowl a flapper or ballcock that, grab the lid from tank and look at... Crank the handle bar inside of the most common problems with toilets. manufacturer it.! Otherwise gone to the tank starts to refill in readiness for the next best thing is try..., and the collar of the flapper gets into a bind and wo n't freely! It should have either `` ears '' or a `` douglas valve '' the writer should start with noting many! By too much play in it chain so that it holds the flapper and/or adjust it Spruce uses cookies provide! That Closes too Soon or too short, the chain adjustment does n't have any slack, it can you. Water level: if the water level in the chain to the lever... Simply adjust the chain has only 1/4 inch before activation. a.... Number noted on the water why finding out how to adjust toilet flow will help to! One more thing to check length, move the clip to a different design runs down the drain at. Piece of cardboard to avoid getting your floor wet save you a good flush are a couple possibilities! Pulls the flapper chain modern assembly and builder with 30 years of experience in the.... This is not connected to the lever water down, the air bubble makes the open...
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