Hi All, My toilet tank is leaking into the bowl, causing the fill valve to run every 5-10 minutes to refill the tank. I have identified the problem as being with the flapper. Tiny air bubbles are forming around the seal preventing the flapper from making a good seal and keeping the water in the tank.

Any ideas on how to resolve this air bubble problem in the toilet tank? Tiny air bubbles are also forming on the styrofoam float that is attached to the chain which is attached to the flapper. What might be causing the air bubbles to form and how might I resolve the problem?

Thanks in advance.

Scott

Hi Scott,
Sounds like your flapper linkage needs adjusting. But first run your hand around the flat side of the flapper. Do you fell wavy edges or soft spots? If so replace the flapper. Now on to the adjustments.
With the flapper seated the linkage wants to have 1/4" of play. Too much play and the flapper doesn't get pulled back enough giving you a short flush. Too tight and it lets water seep past the flapper. I adjust the chain by the link and if it needs fine tuning, I bend the flush lever rod a bit untill I have the desired play in the linkage. One more thing about a flapper. you will see where the old flapper hooks onto the base of the white overflow tube. On a older type with no hooks the flapper has a ring that slips down over the overflow tube to the seat. If your tank has hooks, take a sharp knife or scissors and cut the neoprene ring off on the marks provided and hook the flapper on the hooks. Leaving the ring on will interfere with the flush. The water level in your tank should be 3/8 to 1/2" below the top of the overflow tube when the tank's filled.

Yea, what tom said.

Thanks for the detailed reply, speedball.

There is some play in the linkage and the flapper appears to be in good order. The issue is that small little bubbles, like those in sparkling water, are forming around the flapper, causing the seal to break and allowing water to leak into the bowl.

I wonder if I poured some disinfectant into the tank if that would fix the problem. I can take a picture and post it up if that would help?

Run your finger around the seat the flapper sets on. Any nicks or rough edges? If there are then the seat needs to be smoothed out. If you can't do that the flush valve needs to be replaced. Regards, Tom