Your toilet’s flapper valve plays a crucial role in the flushing process, controlling the release of water from the tank into the bowl. When it works as intended, it ensures your wastewater is removed efficiently and helps conserve water. However, a faulty or worn-out flapper can lead to issues like running toilets, weak flushes, or water waste.
In this guide, we’ll explore how a toilet’s flapper valve works, common problems that arise, and how maintaining or replacing it can help keep your bathroom functioning smoothly and safely.
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What Does a Flapper Valve Do?
A toilet flapper valve comprises a flap and a hinged disc installed in the tank. The valve operates as a one-way plug to release highly pressurized water to flow in one direction, while the flapper shits to prevent backflow. Toilet flappers are commonly made from rubber but can also be made from silicone, vinyl, or plastic.
4 Signs Your Flapper Valve Is Leaking
Flapper valves can fail due to bacteria life in the water, a chain that’s too loose or too tight, high water pressure, hard water, and more. A leaking flapper can lead to worsening plumbing issues and water damage if not addressed immediately. To stay on top of issues with your toilet’s flapper, it’s important to know how to identify the problem. Some signs your flapper valve is leaking include:
- Continuously running toilet: If the flapper isn’t working, water will seep through the tank and into the bowl, causing your toilet to run continuously to refill the tank.
- Backflow or reverse flow: If water is flowing in the wrong direction, your flapper isn’t properly sealed.
- Tank isn’t refilling: If your tank fails to refill normally, your flapper is likely damaged or misaligned, causing water to leak out of the tank too quickly without a chance to properly refill.
- Wet tank: If your tank is wet and you notice mold or mildew smells, there could be water leaking from a broken flapper valve.
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How To Replace Your Flapper Valve
Broken, outdated, or misaligned flapper valves must be replaced to restore proper functionality to your toilet system. You should first identify the cause to know how to fix the issue.
- First, always turn off the water supply to your toilet.
- Raise the tank lid and locate the flapper valve. Carefully disassemble it by unhooking it from the flush handle lever and removing it from the tank.
- Clean the seal beneath the flapper location and carefully set your new flapper valve in place, hooking it to the pins on the overflow pipe.
- Reattach the chain to the lever at the appropriate distance for the flapper to create a good seal and lift all the way.
- Test your new flapper by flushing your toilet and ensuring it’s working as it should.
Why Choose Blind & Sons for Toilet Services?
Established in 1937, Blind & Sons is Northeast Ohio’s premier resource for expert toilet services. We offer 24/7 emergency service with no overtime fees and work to achieve 100% customer satisfaction with every service we provide. We also offer a range of warranties and guarantees for added peace of mind, so you’ll know you’re in great hands with us, no matter what.
Don’t wait to get necessary toilet services with Blind & Sons. Schedule an appointment today!
