Not only is this an annoying problem, but it can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
Toilet flappers only last about five years.
The best solution is to replace the toilet flapper entirely.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
What Is a Toilet Flapper?
The toilet flapper is a rubber seal that closes theflush valveto keep water in the tank.
The flapper opens when the toilethandleis pressed.
The Spruce / Bailey Mariner
This initiates the flush cycle.
As the water empties from the tank, the flapper drops like a trap door, closing the valve.
The tank can now be refilled for the next flush.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
So, the fill valve keeps pumping water as it attempts to refill the tank.
The best solution is to replace the toilet flapper.
Drain the toilet tank by flushing the toilet.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If necessary, hold the flush handle down until most of the water is out of the tank.
Remove the Old Flapper
Disconnect the flapper chain from the flush handle lever.
Then, unhook the chain from the flapper.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Slip the flapper’s side ears off of the pegs.
On flappers made of hard plastic, these ears will snap loose.
On flappers made of soft rubber, the ears slide off the pegs.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Test the New Flapper
Turn the water back on by turning the shutoff valve counterclockwise.
The chain may be preventing the flapper from sealing tightly on the toilet valve.
Cut the excess chain to prevent it from impeding the flapper.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The flapper itself can be purchased for $5 to $10.
The Current: Winter 2022 - WaterSense Current.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Test the toilet for proper flushFotolia
How to Fix Your Leaky Toilet Flapper.
Pinellas County (Florida) Utilities Department.
