Are you tired of hearing your toilet constantly running or flushing on its own? The culprit may be an old and leaky flapper valve.
Luckily, replacing a flapper valve is a simple and easy DIY project that can save you money on your water bill.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to install a new flapper valve and get your toilet running smoothly again.
So, grab your materials and let’s get started!
How To Install A Toilet Flapper Valve
Step 1: Turn off the water supply
Before you begin, turn off the water supply to your toilet. You can do this by rotating the shutoff valve, located on the water supply line leading to the toilet, clockwise until it stops.
Step 2: Drain the toilet tank
Flush the toilet to drain the tank of water. If necessary, hold down the flush handle until most of the water is out of the tank.
Step 3: Remove the old flapper valve
Most toilet flappers are attached to the overflow pipe by snapping the flapper clips over two mounting posts on each side of the overflow pipe. To remove the existing flapper, first turn off the water to the toilet and flush toilet tank emptying most of the water. Undo chain clip from tank lever arm at top of tank. Gently pull flapper arms up until the flapper clips have unclamped from mounting posts.
Step 4: Install the new flapper valve
To install a new flapper valve, align new flapper clips over mounting pins and gently push down until they snap into place. Draw chain up to tank lever and using chain clip, attach to tank lever arm, threading clip into one of the lever arm holes. Tip-attach chain lip to tank lever directly above flapper and leave 1/2 inch of slack in chain.
Step 5: Turn on the water supply
Turn on the water supply to your toilet and let it fill up completely. Once filled, flush the tank to check if your new flapper valve is operating correctly.
Gather Your Materials
Before you begin installing a new toilet flapper valve, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You will need a new flapper valve, which can be purchased in a kit that includes a flush seat repair. Look for a kit that matches your toilet model and size. You may also need a sponge to mop out any remaining water in the tank, as well as a paperclip to help with chain adjustments. Finally, make sure you have a pair of rubber gloves if you prefer to empty the entire tank of water before starting the installation process. With these materials on hand, you’ll be ready to install your new flapper valve with ease.
Shut Off The Water Supply
Before you begin the process of installing a new flapper valve, it is important to shut off the water supply to your toilet. This can be done by locating the shutoff valve on the water supply line leading to your toilet and turning it clockwise until it stops. It is important to make sure that the water supply is completely turned off before proceeding with the installation process.
Once you have successfully turned off the water supply, flush the toilet to drain the tank of any remaining water. This will make it easier to remove the old flapper valve and install the new one.
Remember, shutting off the water supply is an important step in any plumbing project. It ensures that you can work safely without any water flowing through the pipes, reducing the risk of damage or injury. Always take the time to locate and turn off the appropriate shutoff valves before starting any plumbing project.
Remove The Old Flapper Valve
Before installing a new flapper valve, you need to remove the old one. To do this, first turn off the water supply to the toilet by rotating the shutoff valve located on the water supply line leading to the toilet clockwise until it stops. Next, remove the lid of the toilet tank and flush the toilet to drain the tank of water.
Locate the flapper valve, which is usually attached to the overflow pipe by snapping flapper clips over two mounting posts on each side of the overflow pipe. Disconnect the flapper chain from the flush lever and gently pull up on both sides of the flapper valve until it unclamps from the mounting posts.
If your flapper has closed-loop arms, pull it as far as possible to one side and slide the loop off the end of the post. If you have a hard plastic flapper with an open loop, unclip its arms from the post on the overflow tube. If you find it impossible to remove due to the shape of the post and hardness of the flapper plastic, cut through the hard plastic arms of the flapper with a utility knife.
Once you have removed the old flapper valve, clean any buildup or debris from around the flush valve seat using a cloth or paper towel. It is essential to ensure that there is no residue left behind that could prevent your new flapper valve from sealing properly.
Now you are ready to install your new flapper valve. Follow the simple steps outlined in this do-it-yourself guide, and you will have a fully functional toilet in no time.
Measure And Purchase The Correct Replacement Flapper Valve
Before purchasing a replacement flapper valve, it is important to determine the correct size for your toilet. There are a few methods to measure the size of your flapper valve.
First, you can search for the make and model of your toilet to find out the size of your flapper valve. If you do not know the make and model of your toilet, check the inside of the tank for the model number. Sometimes the number is on the inside walls of the tank, and other times it is on the cover. Search this number, along with the company who manufactured your toilet to find out what size flapper valve is appropriate.
Another way to measure the size of your flapper valve is to use a measuring tape or a small rule to measure the inside diameter of the flush valve opening. If you get a reading of between 1.8 and 2.3 inches then you have a 2-inch flush valve and need to buy a 2-inch toilet flapper valve. A reading of plus or minus 3 inches indicates you have a 3-inch flush valve and therefore need a 3-inch toilet flapper valve.
It is important to note that installing a larger toilet flapper valve (3 inches) on a smaller drain opening (2 inches) will not be effective, so it is crucial to purchase the correct size. Additionally, some drain openings are of a unique size and do not adhere to the standard 2 or 3-inch size. If this is the case, you may need to contact your manufacturer for the exact size of your toilet flapper valve.
Once you have determined the correct size for your replacement flapper valve, you can purchase it from a hardware store or online retailer. Make sure to choose a high-quality replacement that will last for years to come.
Install The New Flapper Valve
Now that you have removed the old flapper valve, it’s time to install the new one. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Align the new flapper clips over the mounting pins
Take your new flapper valve and align the clips over the mounting pins on each side of the overflow pipe. Make sure that the clips are securely in place and won’t come loose.
2. Gently push down until they snap into place
Once you have aligned the clips, gently push down on the flapper valve until it snaps into place. You should hear a clicking sound when it’s properly installed.
3. Attach the chain to the tank lever arm
Next, draw the chain up to the tank lever and use the chain clip to attach it to the tank lever arm. Thread the clip into one of the lever arm holes, making sure that it’s secure.
4. Leave 1/2 inch of slack in chain
When attaching the chain clip to the tank lever arm, make sure to leave 1/2 inch of slack in the chain. This will ensure that the flapper valve operates smoothly and doesn’t get stuck.
5. Turn on the water supply
Finally, turn on the water supply to your toilet and let it fill up completely. Once filled, flush the tank to check if your new flapper valve is operating correctly. If everything is working properly, congratulations! You have successfully installed a new flapper valve for your toilet.
Turn The Water Supply Back On
After you have installed the new flapper valve, it is time to turn the water supply back on. To do this, simply rotate the shutoff valve counterclockwise until it is fully open. The tank will begin to fill up with water.
Once the tank is full, press the flush lever to test the new valve. The valve may stay open for a few seconds after releasing the flush lever, but should close on its own and seal the flow of water. If the valve is not closing properly, check the chain to make sure it is not hanging up or adjust the slack until it operates properly.
It is important to ensure that the flapper valve is working correctly before using the toilet. If the valve is not functioning properly, it can lead to a waste of water and higher water bills. However, if you have followed these steps carefully, your toilet should be working perfectly fine with a new flapper valve installed.