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Plbg.com also known as the PlumbingForum.com. The popular plumbing tips, remodel and advice forum and blog. Ask any toilet, sink, faucet, pump, water quality and plumbing related questions.
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Author:
dlcooper52 (OH)
Am having much trouble with a leaky flapper. Adding dye to tank shows a slow leakage into bowl. Dropping the water level below the flapper seat stops the leak, so it's not the gasket. Flapper chain is slack. The lip of the seat was checked and found to be flat, with no flaws or contamination. Several unused flappers all leak in various amounts, some severe. Shifting the flapper laterally by hand doesn't stop the leaking. Replacing the flapper with a metal plate coated with modeling clay stops the leak completely.
Am wondering if the (soft) flapper is getting distorted by the tank water pressure. Pressing the flapper down merely increases leakage rate.
Sure would like some helpful advice.
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Author:
hj
Usually it means you are getting "prewarped" flappers. The water pressure makes them seal better, IF they are in anywhere near good shape.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
when i have a customer w/ a leaky flapper i typically rebuild the whole toilet back to original spec's...get a new flush valve kit and fill valve kit
it may be the part that the flapper rests on..it could be pitted or distorted from chemicals
ive probably replaced just a flapper 2-3x and got 2 call backs from it.....ive never had a call back for a toilet i completely rebuilt...if the toilet is 20-30 years old ill go a step further and recommend you replace the toilet...
flappers come in different shapes,sizes and materials....anything except for the factory part may or may not work..
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Author:
hj
I have only replaced about a half dozen flush valves in my 60 years, and I ALWAYS use a generic Korky flapper and they NEVER leak./
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Author:
WC (VA)
Quote "Several unused flappers all leak in various amounts, some severe. Shifting the flapper laterally by hand doesn't stop the leaking."
I had a similar problem with a friends flapper. The first new generic flapper would not seat properly -- then got a new flapper with a "RIGID FRAME". Look closely on the package labeling and you will see that statement - and of course you will see that flapper has a rigid frame holding the flexible flapper. The rigid frame holds the flexible flapper for a better fit.
For a lasting repair consider replacing the entire flush valve with a non-flapper type, such as one "Mansfield" makes. They make flapper types also but the non-flapper type will never hang up and seals very good. The rubber flat disc seat is easily replaced. Of course at the same time replace the tank to toilet bowl "sponge gasket" and tank bolt gaskets. I had one that never leaked for 25 years - it never even needed replacement of the flat rubber disc seat (Never saw any harsh cleaning chemicals). Attach the flush chain to the bottom "loop" or the flush lever rod directly at the top square opening.
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Edited 3 times.
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