Toilet Flapper

Bathroom · Easy

The rubber seal at the tank bottom that lifts on flush. A worn flapper runs silently 24/7 and is the #1 cause of phantom toilet water bills.

Tools you may need

• None (or scissors to trim chain)

Steps

1. 1Turn off the supply valve and flush to empty the tank.
2. 2Unhook the flapper from the flush valve ears and slip it off the overflow tube.
3. 3Hook the new flapper onto the ears and tube; adjust chain slack (1-2 links).
4. 4Restore water, flush twice, and confirm the tank seals without trickle.

Maintenance

Drip food coloring into the tank every 6 months — color in the bowl without flushing means a leaking flapper. (Suggested interval: every 6 months.)