Toilet flush valve doesn't close until tank is empty?

Question

Hello all,

When I flush my toilet, it basically flushes three times because the flush valve doesn't close until all of the water empties from the tank. What is causing this, and how can I fix it? Is it acceptable to just lower the water-level really low, or should I do it a different way? Thanks!

Answer 1

Some flush valves have a positive buoyancy so they stay up when you push down the level. To do this, they have to be hollow. Trouble is they sometimes get filled with water and close early or they get too much air in them and don't close until all the water has gone and gravity takes over. You can get a kit at the store (Fred Meyer, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, et al) which is just a new flapper but it should have an adjustable feature on the bottom of the flapper to allow you to "balance" the flapper so it works properly. Turn off the intake valve and flush to remove the water. You take the old one off by lifting the ears and then slip on the new one. Don't forget to turn the water back on.

But just in case, be sure to inspect your flapper to make sure it will take this design. Just get one that looks similar but says it is adjustable.

I hate plumbing projects no matter how small. I just went thru this with a flapper that was deteriorating and the seal didn't fit tight anymore. 5 minute job.

Answer 2

Something is wrong with the valve and no, lowering the water level is not acceptable. When you say three times, I presume you mean that the water level drops only about 1/3 normally when flushing but now it is going down to the bottom. I have a Elger Titan low flow and the way it gets its power to flush with a small volume is to have the weight of the water be full height and then cut off flow from the tank after 1/3 has gone - high level = high pressure.
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Answer 3

It sounds like you may have a flapper for a low consumption toilet in an older toilet that requires more water to flush. The low cons. flapper has a float that keeps it at water level. Replace it with a flapper without a float ( for older 3 g.p.f. toilets).

Answer 4

Put a brick inside your tank to take up some of the space that the water does. You'll still get the same pressure.

Answer 5

Look inside the tank. There is a rubber shut-off "flap." That could be needing replaced.

I replaced the entire inner workings of my toilet tank for about $9.00. If it is just that flap then you're in luck. Those are only a couple of bucks.

Answer 6

Alternative to a brick in the cistern: use a 1 pint plastic milk container full of water.