The handle on the toilet has to be held down in order for it to flush completely. I replaced the handle (because the nut seemed tight already), and it worked fine for about 4 flushes, and now it's back to how it was before. The only things that I can come up with is that I over-tightened the replacement (breaking it), or the flapper is strangely too heavy, or it's something I don't know. Please help. Thanx.
2006-11-28 16:05:32 · 6 answers · asked by cats_collector 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If your flapper has a hole in it for 1.5 gal flush toilets and this is not a new toilet, this will happen See which one you have .
2006-12-01 04:58:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The two things I can think to check is the length you have left on the chain to your flapper valve and the flapper valve itself. If the chain is not adjusted correctly, when you hit the flush handle, the flapper only opens up partically and could cause a short flush (although this is usually like only flushing while you hold the handle). The flapper could have a boyency compensator in it that has a hole in it, changing it's characturistics. Check the chain first, and if it seem to work ok and is as short as possible, the get a new flapper.
2006-11-29 06:23:12 · answer #2 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either the flapper valve is worn, as others have suggested, or your toilet is a first generation low-flow model. If it is the former, replace it with a new one. When you install it make sure that you get the chain as tight as you can without creating a leak, it helps the flapper to rise higher. If that doesn't help, and it probably will, you might consider getting a new toilet. Some of the newer low-flow models flush better than the old 3 gallon models. If you do decide that you are going to buy a new toilet, look for a toilet with a fully glazed trapway.
2006-11-28 18:01:28 · answer #3 · answered by nathanael_beal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely, the handle has nothing to do with the problem. In most cases, the flapper has worn out and lost it's rigidity, preventing it from rising as high as it needs to in order to allow a full flush. Thus, you have to hold it up during the flush by holding the handle down.
You can replace your flapper quickly and easily with something off the shelf at Home Depot or similar store. The Bull's Eye Super Flapper is the one I usually use. It's a reddish rubber flapper with black plastic arms that snap onto the overflow tube in the toilet tank.
2006-11-28 16:15:31 · answer #4 · answered by Joseph 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been wondering the same thing about my toilet. here's a thought . do you use those bleach tabs in the tank? if you touch the flapper do you get black stuff on your fingers like the flapper is degrading? I've been meaning to replace mine and compare the weights.
2006-11-28 16:21:09 · answer #5 · answered by spooky 1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adjust the pull chain--it may be too tight.
2006-11-29 23:04:31 · answer #6 · answered by Spock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋