A toilet flapper, or commode flapper, is a plastic or rubber valve at the bottom of a toilet tank. It seals the flush valve to hold water in the tank, lifts when you flush to let water into the toilet bowl, and closes after you flush so the tank can refill. With so many important jobs to do, you certainly notice when it’s not working as it should!
Fortunately, replacing the flapper in your toilet doesn’t have to be time-consuming, stressful, or challenging! You can leave this task to capable plumbing experts or even replace the toilet flapper yourself. Keep reading for a helpful step-by-step guide.
When to Replace a Toilet Flapper
Without plumbing knowledge, you won’t always know when to replace your toilet flapper valve. Now is the right time to contact a trusted plumber or research how to install a toilet flapper when you relate to these signs:
- The toilet keeps running
- Water is leaking into the bowl
- The flapper is cracked, worn, or warped
- You have to jiggle your toilet handle to stop the water
- It’s over five years old – preventative maintenance is key!
How Do You Replace a Flapper in a Toilet?
Replacing your toilet bowl flapper is straightforward with the right tools and DIY know-how. Follow the steps below or contact your local trusted plumber.
1. Understand Your Toilet’s Anatomy
Being familiar with all parts of your toilet can be helpful when you’re learning how to replace a toilet flapper.
- Toilet flapper: The rubber or plastic hinged component connected to a chain that hangs downward from the flush lever/handle
- Handle/lever: The toilet handle/lever is connected to the lift chain that’s responsible for lifting the flapper away from the flush valve
- Flush valve: You’ll find the flush valve at the very bottom of your toilet tank, connected to the toilet bowl
- Overflow tube: The toilet overflow tube is a plastic tube that stops water in the toilet tank from overflowing
2. Turn Off the Water
Things can get a little messy if you don’t turn off the water! Find the shutoff valve situated behind your toilet and turn it clockwise. Alternatively, locate your main shutoff valve and turn off the water supply to your entire home.
2. Drain the Toilet Tank
Flush the toilet to remove as much water as possible from the tank and bowl. Remove the leftover water in the bottom with a towel, sponge, or rags.
3. Remove the Old Toilet Bowl Flapper
Changing a toilet flapper means learning how to remove the old, broken one. Start by disconnecting the flapper chain from the flush handle. You can then remove the chain from the toilet flapper.
If your flapper is made of hard rubber, snap the ears loose from the pegs. If it’s made of soft rubber, the ears will easily slide off the pegs.
4. Install a New Toilet Flapper
You’re now ready to install the new toilet flapper! Firstly, you’ll need to prepare it. This process can involve cutting off the ring located on the back of the flapper or leaving it in place. Which step you take depends on your unique toilet configuration.
Cut the ring if the flapper will attach to the pegs on each side of your flush tube valve. If your flush valve doesn’t have side pegs, use the rings provided with your new flapper. You will then slide the flapper over the overflow tube into place.
Test the Toilet Flapper
Replacing a toilet bowl flapper doesn’t take much time or effort. Before long, you can be ready to test your handiwork! Turn the water back on and flush the toilet at least twice. Watch the flapper go up and down to see if you’ve installed it correctly and have the chain at the right length.
Replace Your Toilet Flapper With Help from Mr. Rooter Plumbing®
Whether you have questions like ‘How do you replace a flapper in a toilet?’ and ‘How do you remove a toilet flapper?’ or your toilet flapper is leaking or not closing, the team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing® is here to help.
Our experienced plumbers can take care of all your toilet flapper repair, replacement, and installation needs. Contact us for a job estimate today. We’re available 24/7 to take your call.
