A leaking toilet can waste up to 73,000 gallons of water per year! And when it comes to how to fix a leaking, running toilet, the main culprit is usually a little part called the flapper. So, to help you get your toilet water tight, we are going to show you how to replace a worn-out flapper. You don’t usually need any tools to do this, only a new flapper. You can pick one up at your local hardware store and the cost is anywhere from $5-13. They come in different sizes but the most common sizes are 2 or 3 inches. Check your toilet first to see which size you need.
SHUT OFF WATER & REMOVE LID
The first step is to shut off the water by turning the water valve below the toilet. Once the water is off, remove the lid from the toilet tank.
FLUSH TOILET TO DRAIN TANK
Next, flush the toilet to empty the water out of the tank. Hold the handle down so all of the water drains out of the tank.
REMOVE CHAIN FROM FLUSH ARM
Free the flapper by disconnecting the chain from the flush arm.
REMOVE THE OLD FLAPPER
The flapper should still be connected to the flush valve at the base by two tabs. Unhook the tabs and completely remove the old flapper. Be aware that over time, the flapper starts to deteriorate and can leave a black, sooty residue on your hands when changing it.
CHECK & CLEAN FLUSH VALVE
Run your fingers along the inside and the top of the valve to make sure it’s smooth. You don’t want any mineral deposits or hard water buildup to cause the flapper to not seal well. It’s good practice to clean the rim of the opening as well, using a sponge or a paper towel.
CONNECT NEW FLAPPER
Hook the new flapper to the base of the flush valve with the two tabs.
ATTACH & ADJUST FLAPPER CHAIN
Connect the chain to the chain arm. If you find you have excess chain, you will want to adjust the length. You don’t want to have too much play in the chain, because when the flapper closes, it could get caught between the flapper and the flush valve, causing it to not seal correctly.
TURN WATER BACK ON & TEST
Turn the water back on to fill the tank and flush the tank to see how it all works. Hopefully your leaky days are over!
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