Flapper valve infrequently doesn't completely close

Yoyizit · 08-29-2010, 08:58 PM

It's the hinged kind with a tube at 45 degrees that fills up.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...w=1374&bih=812
It hangs open about 1/8". What should I check for first? Hinge burrs?

It might happen once/month but we don't use that bathroom very often.

Thurman · 08-30-2010, 09:45 AM

I, just me maybe, particularly don't like those flappers with the float thingy's made onto them. I change a lot of the flapper units out because of the small leaks. I always try to use a really good unit, bought at plumbing supply house, not big box stores. One trick I was taught, and still use, is to use fine steel wool to sort of "polish" the seat the flapper seals to. It seems that sometimes there may be some coating on there which I cannot see nor feel, but the steel wool works. Just a light cleaning with the steel wool, then wipe good with a clean cloth. Inspect the seat really good, I have seen them with tiny chips in them. They are easily replaced. David

DUDE! · 08-30-2010, 03:10 PM

I also have problems with those type flappers,, I'd just go ahead and replace it, you probably already hang around waiting for it to fill and shut off.

epson · 08-30-2010, 03:25 PM

Well my best advice is to replace the flapper. Take it off your unit and bring it with you to the hardware/plumbing store and see if you can get the same one. But shut your supply line off before you remove the flapper.

Yoyizit · 08-30-2010, 04:54 PM

Thanks for your replies.

I tried something else first: turned off the water and flushed it.
When I took the lid off, the flapper was standing open so I lengthened the pull chain a few notches. Too long a chain will probably start giving me incomplete flushes, but I'm not there yet.

It'll probably be a month before I can say with some certainty that this worked. I'll make it a point to use this bathroom more often until this is solved.