Hello,

I have a reoccurring problem with a toilet flapper that must let a little water leak
Through because about every couple of minutes or I can hear water re-entering the tank. It is a small amount of water right now but I once had all the innards replaced (2-3 Yrs. Ago) and I don't use damaging automatic cleansers in tank. I have replaced the flapper (with the same kind) twice trying to end this annoyance. A friend said to try vasoline on the edge of the flapper but I still have to open tank and push down on flapper to stop the problem. I'm sure I have the right kind of flapper. It is a common, regular flapper. Nothing unusual.

Help! I need some ideas because I cannot see paying someone to do a simple repair like this.

Thank You,

Frustrated Joy

Some times the seat where the flapper gets slimly or a bit of dirt on the bevel where the flapper sits. Clean that off good. On older toilets I have I use A very fine steel wool or wet sandpaper to clean that up. If its to far gone I end up un bolting the tank and replace the plastic piece that goes through the tank. Flapper is fine. It works for awhile but the tank seal edge is a bit rough and when the flapper dries out a bit seal begins to break prematurely Forget the Vaseline its not addressing the actual problem its self

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Some times the seat where the flapper gets slimly or a bit of dirt on the bevel where the flapper sits. Clean that off good. On older toilets I have I use A very fine steel wool or wet sandpaper to clean that up. If its to far gone I end up un bolting the tank and replace the plastic piece that goes through the tank. Flapper is fine. It works for awhile but the tank seal edge is a bit rough and when the flapper dries out a bit seal begins to break prematurely Forget the Vaseline its not addressing the actual problem its self

Signed 21 Boat

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21Boat,
Thanks a lot. I'll try first cleaning it off. My (city) water is horrible! There could easily be a piece of whatever sticks to the tank on that place where the flapper sits. I wondered about that but have dealt very infrequently with toilet workings. Also, if necessary, I'll try the wet sandpaper on the bevel. My toilet is not old in my estimation, 6 years. But I'll try whatever helps!

Thanks again,
Frustrated Joy

Let me know if it works.

Signed 21 Boat

If I helped To Answer Your Question Please Rate My Answer

Let me know if it works.

Signed 21 Boat

If I helped To Answer Your Question Please Rate My Answer

TO 21 Boat

First off, thanks for your well thought out recommendations!

Well, I've tried cleaning the base where the flapper sits and then had to try a little bit of wet sandpaper. Neither did it. In fact, I hate to say this but the vasoline, which I had tried before I wrote to "Ask Me", at least seals it when I push down on the flapper. Now it doesn't even help to push down on the flapper after I flush. I find it hard to believe that a 6 year old toilet needs more permanent parts replaced. Also, there is another toilet in the house that is the same age that gets used as much and is fine. So, therefore I am still

Frustrated Joy

Sounds like your flapper linkage needs adjusting.
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 until 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,(see image). 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. And the little tube wants to run from the ballcock and connect to the white overflow tube.. If that don't get it you will have to replace the dlush valve,(see image) Let me know how you come out. Tom

Sounds like your flapper linkage needs adjusting.
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 until 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,(see image). 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. and the little tube wants to run from the ballcock and connect to the white overflow tube.. If that don't get it you will have to replace the dlush valve,(see image) Let me know how you come out. Tom

Hi! (Wish I was in Sarasota... blowing snow here and white out conditions). First off the chain on the flapper seems to be at a correct length. I will check other adjustments on it if necessary though.

OK, so my older, I guess, type of overflow tube has round pegs to slip the flapper onto. I've already accidentally bought a flapper with hooks and it wouldn't shut at all. I've got the pegs with a flapper (now) that's identical to the one that a plumber put on it previously. Is the flapper with the holes (not hooks) okay for the overflow tube with the pegs on it? Aren't you telling me to alter the flapper if it's got round holes for a "hook" type overflow tube?

The water level in the tank IS at a lower level on the overflow tube so I am raising it. (The toilet was put in in 2002 so it's probably a "low water consumption" type toilet, right?) OH... one more thing: would the rate of water coming into the toilet (from water source) have anything to do with my problem? I'm experimenting with the water level in the tank now and will get back to you.

Frustrated Joy