Toilet Repair: Flapper Doesn't Stay Up
- 1). Remove the tank's lid and place it in a safe location. Inspect the flapper valve for a buildup of algae and minerals. If the flapper valve is warped or worn around the edges it will not function properly.
- 2). Check the slack in the flapper chain. The flapper chain requires that it have a little bit of slack. The flapper has to open all the way for it to stay open during flushing. If the chain is too tight or too slack, it will not allow the flapper to open and tilt back far enough for proper operation. Adjust the chain by adding or removing slack from the handle side.
- 3). Check the flapper for wear and tear. Constantly submersed in water, the rubber flapper can deteriorate to the point that it no longer will function. If this is the case, you will have to replace the flapper.
- 4). Shut off the water supply valve to the toilet. Flush the toilet to remove the water in the tank. Most flappers attach to the overfill tube positioned next to the tank opening. The flapper has rubber ears that fit over posts on each side of the fill tube. Slip these ears off the tube.
- 5). Remove the attaching chain. The chain will have a clip that attaches to the flapper valve. Depress the clip and remove.
- 6). Attach the new flapper valve to the chain's clip. Attach the rubber ears of the flap to the fill tube posts.
- 7). Adjust the attaching chain leaving a little slack in the line. Turn the water supply back on and test the toilet by flushing it. Adjust the chain as needed until the toilet functions properly.
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