How to Fix
Leaking Flush Valves
Leaks at the FLUSH VALVE are caused by the following problems...
A worn out or defective tank-ball, flapper, seal, disk or whatever part is attached to the handle and acting as a plug in the bottom of the tank.
A damaged flush valve seat...the rim of the large hole in the bottom of the tank is rough or pitted.
A split or hole in the overflow pipe
A damaged gasket under the flush valve.
The wrong type of flapper is being used. For example, some Kohler toilets require a particular flapper, the one size fits all type often will not work.
The chain or strap is too long and getting stuck under the flapper or ball.
A piece of foreign material such as a bowl cleaner is stuck under the flapper or ball
Principle parts of a flush valve...
1. Lift rod or chain connecting trip lever (handle) to tank-ball or flapper.
2. Tank~ball or flapper (the stopper).
3. Flush valve seat ( big hole in bottom of tank).
4. Trip lever (handle) connection to lift rod.
5. Overflow pipe (vertical pipe standing in center of tank)
Once you have decided the flush valve needs attention, turn the supply water off to the tank, flush the toilet and hold the handle down to allow as much water as possible to drain out of the tank. Disconnect the chain, strap or rod from the trip level (handle).
A flapper attaches in several ways. One is attached by little wings that slip over hooks on the sides of the overflow pipe at the bottom; another type has a thick ring that can be pushed down over the overflow pipe.
Then there are some tanks such as one of the Crane models that doesn't have an overflow tube, but instead has a wide tab over which the flapper fits. Some Kohler models require a flapper that doesn't look very different from most, but it requires a flapper made expressly for the Kohler.
The above drawings are the courtesy of Hunter Plumbing Products
1775 La Costa Meadows Dr. #130 San Marcos, CA 92069
619-744-9088
There are a variety of flappers on the market today. Fluidmaster offers a clear set of instructions for installing their Flusher Fixer Kit.
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