How To Fix Toilet Flapper Leaks & When To Call TheExperts?

A toilet flapper valve is like a plug that regulates water flow in and out of the tank after you flush it. You need to fix toilet flapper leaks at the earliest to prevent ghost flushing, needless wastage of water, and soaring water bills.

On pulling the flush, once enough water drains into your toilet bowl, the flapper should close, allowing your tank to refill gradually. Skipping the regular maintenance of flapper seals could result in their eventual degradation. Should you hire a professional plumber now? Read on…

Identifying Toilet Flapper Leaks

Proactively detecting a toilet flapper leak allows you to take immediate action. The tell-tale signs of a malfunctioning flapper include:

• Toilet water runs for longer than the usual duration.
• Between flushes, your toilet bowl reflects rippling water movement.
• Despite fiddling with the toilet’s handle, flushing continues.
• Low flushing power or hissing sounds as the flush tank refills.
• Higher than expected water bills.
• Foul odor, mildew, or mold growth arising from a wet toilet tank.

Fixing the Problem

Plumbing experts recommend to fix toilet flapper leaks immediately with the help of professionals. A universal flapper works on most toilet brands should you replace this essential component. When the new flapper is professionally installed, you eliminate the risk of leaking after replacing it.

Overlooking specific mandatory steps to fix the leak or undertaking them inefficiently could result in the problem recurring. To relieve this problem, call in the experts who will resolve your toilet flapper leak issue by carrying out the listed steps.

#1 Close the Inlet and Empty the Tank

First, locate the valve that supplies the main water and turn it clockwise to disconnect the water supply to your toilet tank and rule out refilling. Flushing the toilet a couple of times ensures the tank completely drains the existing water.

#2 Detach the Faulty Component

When you raise the toilet lid, the plastic or rubber flapper becomes visible on your tank’s base. The faulty flapper comes apart by unhooking the chain connected to your toilet handle and detaching it from prongs located on either end of the flush valve.

#3 Install a Compatible Replacement

Specialist plumbers can identify a compatible flapper replacement by referring to your toilet model number or measuring the old flapper’s inner diameter. First, the new flapper is attached to the prongs, and then its chain is hooked to your toilet handle lever.

Adjusting the chain until it sits right is essential. Too long a chain prevents the flapper from opening all the way once you flush. A short chain constantly pulls the flapper up, thereby allowing water to leak into your toilet bowl.

#4 Turn on the Mains to Test

On restoring the main water supply, once the tank refills become possible, experts test the flushing mechanism.

Plumbing experts like Hypro Plumbing aim to ensure that the flapper facilitates a proper flush during the testing process. A new flapper should resolve the issue of random flushing and phantom toilet sounds.

You can also prevent flapper leaks by refraining from inserting in-tank tablets or chemical disinfectants in your tank. These tend to degrade your flapper, thus, causing it to malfunction.

Rely on an expert plumber who can also resolve related problematic issues besides assisting you with your toilet installation.