Are you tired of hearing your toilet constantly running and wasting water?
One of the most common causes of a running toilet is a faulty flapper. If you have an older style American Standard toilet with a seat disk flapper, replacing it may seem like a daunting task.
But fear not! In this article, we will guide you through the process step-by-step, so you can save money on your water bill and have a properly functioning toilet in no time.
So grab your wrench and let’s get started!
How To Replace A Seat Disk Toilet Flapper
Step 1: Turn off the water supply
The first step in replacing your seat disk toilet flapper is to turn off the water supply. Locate the shutoff valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water.
Step 2: Drain the tank
Once the water supply is turned off, it’s time to drain the tank. Lift off the toilet lid and set it aside. Hold down the flush lever until all the water drains out of the tank.
Step 3: Remove the old flapper
Unhook the old flapper from the flush lever and detach the chain. The flapper is usually connected by two tiny pegs on either side of the valve. If you can see a small threaded bolt holding the disk on, grab the top of the bolt with a pair of small pliers. Spin the disk off counterclockwise.
Step 4: Install the new flapper
Install your new flapper by attaching the flapper ears to the pegs on the sides of the flush valve. If you have a snap-on type, twist the flapper on the base to loosen it from the knob, then rock and wiggle it to soften it up. After working it for a minute, you can start trying to ease it off of the knob it has been pressed onto.
Step 5: Reattach chain and turn on water supply
Attach the flapper chain to the flush lever with minimal slack. There should be at least 1/2 inch of slack for proper functioning. Turn on the water supply and let the tank refill.
Identifying The Type Of Flapper In Your Toilet
Before replacing your seat disk toilet flapper, it’s important to identify the type of flapper that your toilet requires. Flappers come in two sizes: two-inch and three-inch. To determine the correct size for your toilet, you can use one of the following methods:
1. Search for the make and model of your toilet: If you know the make and model of your toilet, you can search online to find out the size of the flapper that is appropriate for your toilet.
2. Check the inside of the tank for the model number: Sometimes, the model number is on the inside walls of the tank, while other times it is on the cover. Search this number, along with the company who manufactured your toilet to find out what size flapper is appropriate.
3. Measure it: The size of a toilet flapper is based on the inside drain diameter. If it measures 1 7/8′′ or 2 3/8′′, then you have a 2′′ toilet. If it measures in the 3′′ range, you have a 3′′ toilet.
4. Eyeball it: Look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank. If the opening looks about the size of a baseball or orange, you need a 2′′ flapper. If the opening looks about the size of a softball or grapefruit, you need a 3′′ flapper.
It’s important to note that installing a larger toilet flapper (3′′) on a smaller drain opening (2′′) will not be effective, so it is important to purchase the correct size. Additionally, some drain openings are of a unique size and do not adhere to the standard 2′′ or 3′′ size. If this is the case, you may need to contact your manufacturer for the exact size of your toilet flapper.
By identifying the type of flapper in your toilet before replacing it, you can ensure that you purchase and install the correct size for optimal functioning.
Gathering The Necessary Tools And Materials
Before you begin replacing your seat disk toilet flapper, gather the following tools and materials:
– New seat disk toilet flapper
– Strong pair of scissors (if necessary)
– Small pliers (if necessary)
– Paperclip (if necessary)
– Rubber gloves (optional)
– Cloth or paper towel
Make sure to purchase the correct type of flapper for your toilet. If you have water with a normal pH value and do not use any chemicals in the toilet tank, an inexpensive rubber flapper valve may work well. However, if your water tends to be alkaline or you use chemicals in the toilet tank, a better quality chemical-resistant flapper valve made of silicone would be a better choice. Chemical-resistant valves are slightly more expensive but are more cost-effective in the long run.
Having a strong pair of scissors will come in handy if you need to cut off the ring on the back of the new flapper. If your old flapper is connected by a threaded bolt, small pliers will be necessary to remove it. A paperclip can be used as a temporary replacement for the chain if it needs to be adjusted.
It’s also helpful to have rubber gloves on hand if you prefer not to touch the water inside the tank directly. Lastly, have a cloth or paper towel ready to wipe down the flush valve seat before installing the new flapper.
Shutting Off The Water Supply And Draining The Tank
Before you can replace your seat disk toilet flapper, you need to shut off the water supply and drain the tank. This will prevent any water from flowing into the tank while you work on the flapper.
To shut off the water supply, locate the shutoff valve behind the toilet. Turn it clockwise until the water stops flowing. This valve is usually located on the wall or floor behind the toilet.
Next, you need to drain the tank. Lift off the toilet lid and set it aside. Hold down the flush lever until all the water drains out of the tank. You can also use a sponge or towel to soak up any remaining water in the tank.
Once you have drained the tank, you can begin working on replacing your seat disk toilet flapper. Follow the steps outlined above to remove the old flapper and install the new one.
After you have installed the new flapper, reattach the chain to the flush lever with minimal slack. There should be at least 1/2 inch of slack for proper functioning. Finally, turn on the water supply and let the tank refill.
Removing The Old Seat Disk Flapper
To remove the old seat disk flapper, start by turning off the water supply and draining the tank as outlined above. Once the tank is empty, locate the seat disk flapper assembly. It will be attached to a plastic framework that is hinged at the base of the overflow tube.
If you can see a small threaded bolt holding the disk on, grab the top of the bolt with a pair of small pliers. Spin the disk off counterclockwise. Looking from the top, counterclockwise LOOKS clockwise. Then you can screw on the new disk.
If you have a snap-on type, it can be a little tricky if the flapper has hardened from years of chemical assault from chlorine. Twist the flapper on the base to loosen it from the knob, then rock and wiggle it to soften it up. After working it for a minute, you can start trying to ease it off of the knob it has been pressed onto.
Be careful when removing the old seat disk flapper as there is not much room in the toilet to work with. Use a flashlight and inspection mirror if necessary to see how the old disk is mounted. It’s usually best to do the repair in the tank and be patient throughout the process.
Once you have successfully removed the old seat disk flapper, proceed with installing your new one as outlined in Step 4 above.
Installing The New Seat Disk Flapper
If you need to replace a seat disk toilet flapper, the process is fairly straightforward. Here’s how to install the new flapper:
Step 1: Remove the old flapper
Before installing the new flapper, you’ll need to remove the old one. If your old flapper had a threaded bolt holding it in place, use a pair of small pliers to grab the top of the bolt and spin the disk counterclockwise. If your old flapper was a snap-on type, twist it on the base to loosen it from the knob, then rock and wiggle it to soften it up. After working it for a minute, you can start trying to ease it off of the knob it has been pressed onto.
Step 2: Prepare the new flapper
Take your new seat disk toilet flapper out of its packaging and inspect it for any damage or defects. Make sure that it is the correct size and type for your toilet. If your new flapper has a threaded bolt, screw it onto the valve by turning clockwise until it is tight. If your new flapper is a snap-on type, align the ears on the flapper with the pegs on either side of the valve and press down firmly until it snaps into place.
Step 3: Reattach chain and turn on water supply
Attach the chain to the flush lever with minimal slack. There should be at least 1/2 inch of slack for proper functioning. Turn on the water supply and let the tank refill. Once the tank is full, test your new seat disk toilet flapper by flushing the toilet a few times to make sure that it is working properly.
By following these simple steps, you can easily replace a seat disk toilet flapper and ensure that your toilet is functioning efficiently.
Turning The Water Supply Back On And Testing The Toilet
Now that you’ve installed your new seat disk toilet flapper, it’s time to turn the water supply back on and test the toilet. To do this, simply turn the shutoff valve counterclockwise until it’s fully open.
Once the water supply is turned back on, wait for the tank to refill. You should hear the sound of running water as the tank refills. If you don’t hear any water running, check that the shutoff valve is fully open.
Next, flush the toilet to make sure everything is working properly. If the toilet flushes correctly and refills without any issues, then congratulations! You’ve successfully replaced your seat disk toilet flapper.
However, if you notice any problems such as a weak flush or slow tank refill, there may be an issue with your new flapper installation. Double-check that the chain is attached properly and has enough slack for proper functioning. If necessary, adjust the chain length and try flushing again.
In some cases, there may be other issues with your toilet that are preventing proper flushing and refilling. These could include a clogged waste line or vent, or a faulty fill valve. If you continue to experience problems with your toilet after replacing the flapper, it may be time to call a professional plumber for assistance.