Last Updated on August 16, 2022 by acechapman
There are many parts to your toilet. However, the flapper is the one that can cause most problems. This includes a running toilet or a toilet not flushing completely. This is also known as endless water cycling, which happens when your toilet is in use. This is not only inefficient, but it can also be very annoying and noisy. If your toilet doesn’t flush completely, it could be due to a flapper that closes too fast.
What is a Flapper?
Your tank houses the flapper that is in your toilet. The flapper in your toilet drains water from the tank and into the bowl, helping the water to go down. There are many types of toilet flappers. There are three types of toilet flappers: rubber flapper, seat disc (or disc), or tank ball.
Flappers can be a very affordable piece of equipment, usually costing less than $10. It is better to replace your toilet if it is causing a phantom flush. If your flapper isn’t too old, you might be able just to clean it and flush the valve.
How to Clean a Flapper?
It is easy to clean a toilet flapper. Use scouring powder and a sponge to rub it down. You should be able to remove any mold or scale. Also, you can do this on the rim of the flush valve.
You can still clean it by applying silicone caulk to the valve’s rim. This will create a stronger seal. Allow the caulk time to dry before you put the flapper on the tank and fill it with water.
What is a Phantom Flusher and how can it help you?
You may hear your toilet filling up in the middle of the night. This is a sign that your toilet fill valve has turned on by itself. Phantom flushes are often heard in the middle of the night and can be caused by a switch on the toilet fill valve. A leaking flapper is the main reason that a phantom flash can occur.
This problem, whether it’s too short or worn out, can be frustrating and must be addressed.
How to Stop the Toilet Flapper That Closes Too Fast?
Adjust the Flapper Chain
When you want to stop your toilet flapper that closes too fast, the first thing to do is to adjust its flapper chain.
- Begin by taking off the lid of your toilet.
- Place your lid on top of a piece of cardboard. This will prevent your floor from getting wet. Take a look at every part of your tank. The flapper chain and flushing handle should be visible.
- The flushing handle should be attached to a long, metal, or plastic handle arm that connects to the flapper chains.
- The chain should be removed from the handle arm. It is simple to do this. Simply reach into the tank to remove the link connecting the handle and the flapper. This link will have a small opening that you can remove easily.
- Attach a paperclip to your handle arm. Then, open the paperclip so that it is straight. Make a circle with the clip and leave a small opening.
- The circle should be inserted into the end of your handle arm, where the chain was once. Attach the link to the chain to attach it to the paperclip. Place the chain into the open end. Then, squeeze the sides of your paperclip and secure it.
- Flush the toilet, and then check the tightness of the chain. Make sure you press the handle of the toilet fully. The flapper should be raised high enough to flush the toilet. You can adjust the paperclip position until the chain is tightened to flush the toilet properly.
Replace your Toilet Flapper Valve
You may have to replace the toilet flapper valve in some cases. If you are unable to fix the problem or prevent it from opening too fast, this is what you should do.
- First, drain as much water as possible from the tank. This is done by removing the tank cover and turning the shutoff valve clockwise. This will turn the toilet off. To turn off the water, press the handle on the toilet until it is empty.
- You will now need to drain all water from the tank. Even though it may seem like you have everything, there might still be some water. Use a sponge and a towel to clean the tank. Continue wiping until all the water has been removed.
- Find the water supply line. Once you have located the water supply hose, loosen the nuts at the base of your water supply valve. You can connect this valve to the flapper by using an adjustable crescent wrench. Set the water supply hose aside.
- The flapper valve is now removed. This is done by taking off the chain and removing the flapper from the flush valve (this was the part where the supply tube was attached). Install a new chain, and then remove the old one.
Attach your Flapper to the Flush Valve
- Attach the flapper to your new toilet valve after you have removed the flapper valve. Connect the chain to its top and then connect the other end to the handle arm.
- Make sure all edges around the flapper valve’s lip are smooth. This is located under the flapper. To create a watertight seal, use an emergy fabric.
- Reattach the water supply line. Now turn the water supply hose counterclockwise to turn it back on. Wait for the toilet’s water to drain. Attach your flapper to the flush button. Now, you can replace the lid.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
How can I fix a phantom toilet?
Turn off the water supply and remove the flapper from its mounting to fix a phantom flusher. This is done by removing the rubber ears from their overflow tube. After removing the flapper chain, you can slide it up or off. You can replace it with a universal flapper.
How do I find out if my flapper is leaking?
Some flapper leaks can be slow to detect. You can put food coloring in the tank and wait for it to dry before you use the toilet again. You will know if the bowl water is not the same color as the food coloring and instead becomes the tank water.
Wrapping up
It can be frustrating to discover that your toilet is not working properly, especially if you need to go to the bathroom quickly. It may seem like a major problem at first maybe just a minor issue with the flapper of your toilet. Your toilet will work faster than ever by adjusting the float and clearing the drain float.
Not necessarily that you should hire a professional when consulting one. It is possible to get the diagnosis and figure out the problem. You can then purchase the necessary materials and complete the work yourself. This can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. Start with fixing your toilet flapper that closes too fast.
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