Hello, About a year ago my toilet tank started seeping/leaking around the flapper, which was also extremely slimy. I had a spare new flapper, replaced it, and the problem came back after about a week. I noticed at that time that there was a slimy feel to the new flapper, so I cleaned it and everything was okay, but only for a few days. I drained the tank, and noticed there was grit in it and the flapper was slimy again. This time, I completely drained the tank, cleaned it with a mild bleach solution, and sponged up all the grit I could. It worked great, for about a month. What I tried after that was a repair kit that you silicone to the bottom of the flush valve that the flapper rests on. I thought maybe it was worn and it needed a new piece for the flapper to seal to. It worked, but for only a couple of months.

In essence, about once a month, for 4 months I have had to clean the tank, especially around the flapper seal, in order to make it stop seeping. There is still a little slime, but not much at all. Now it's getting to where a cleaning only lasts about a week before seeping. I have tried Mr. Clean, a bleach solution, and vinegar (not mixed) to clean it. Oh, and the chain is okay, it has a little slack on it and rests on top of the flapper slightly. Also, the water is not overflowing into the valve.

I have lived in this house for 20 years. I never had any problem with anything like this until about a year ago. My water is city water and doesn't leave any slime on anything else that I've noticed. I am almost to the point of replacing the toilet, as it is a really old on with the large tank.

Anybody out there have any other suggestions? Thanks!



Edited 3 times.

chlorine destroys rubber toilet flappers but usually not that quickly...

but chloramine DOES

the OP's municipality may have changed its' water treatment

try an 'orange' Korky brand chloramine resistant flapper

DO NOT use any 'in the tank' cleaners

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Hi again, Thanks for your replies. I'll pick up the Korky and see if that helps.

Edit: I noticed that some flappers have a center hole that the flush valve tube goes through. My tube looks to be 1" inside diameter. I have a flapper that has the ears only. Am I using the wrong flapper, and should have one that has center hole and ears?





Thanks again!



Edited 1 times.

"that the flush valve tube goes through" This makes no sense. Toilets always work better if you get the flapper that the Manufacturer recommends. Believe me you will save time, heartaches and gasoline. Good luck.

Sorry if my description was inadequate. The hole in the flapper goes down over the flush valve tube. It is a flapper that has a round hole in the center rear, and ears on each side that attach to the bottom of the flush valve. 9613500S is a part number on Lowes website that will show similar to what I am talking about.

As far as manufacturer, I wouldn't have a clue. This toilet is more than likely from the 1960's, and the guts have probably been change numerous times.

Thanks for your reply.



Edited 1 times.

The flapper that has the hole in the middle is for the old style flush valve that doesn't have the ears are the little tits to hold the flapper. Cut that Center hole off and just use the 2 little ears to catch the tits on the Overflow pipe.

NO! The center hole and ears are TWO DIFFERENT options. You use one or the other, preferably the ears if they work on your flush valve, in which case you cut off the center hole.