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jack benny · May 22, 2007, 09:58 AM

Okay... my father decided to fix the toilets one day for a variety of reasons I won't go into right now... BUT ever since THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RIGHT!! Wish he'd leave my HOUSE ALONE!! Anyway, I digress... The FLAPPER on the 2 toilets aren't working properly. When you flush they stay up for just about 3 seconds then close, which doesn't allow for a full flush or really, even a half flush... You then have to hold the handle down until you hear the completed flush sound!! Very irritating... I've tried adjusting the chain several times to no avail... HELP!! Why won't the flapper stay up until the flush is complete?? When you flush the flapper DOES go all the way up?? HELP ME PLEASE!!

Tom:(

speedball1 · May 22, 2007, 04:14 PM

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 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.
Good luck, tom

Reddout · Aug 27, 2009, 02:32 PM

Sppedball 1 -- you are da bomb -- your answer fixed my problem -- thank you thank you thank you

speedball1 · Aug 27, 2009, 03:08 PM

You're welcome you're welcome you're welcome! And on a two year thread no less. Tom

cal3257 · Oct 24, 2009, 02:18 PM

Thank you so much speedball1, after I looked up some pictures of flappers, I figured out what u are talking about. I cut off the O ring as u said and now it works perfectly. I thought the flapper was defective so I was going to get a new one, but now I don't! Thanks. After I fiddled w/ the floater, the water level is now higher and all the way up to the overflow valve/pipe. I don't know what to do, because I think I screwed the floater all the way to the bottom again =/ o wells. It works! But u said water level should be 3/8 or 1/2 inch below overflow :)

speedball1 · Oct 24, 2009, 02:33 PM

Thanks for the update. Every flapper should have the ring cut out before installing unless it's a very old flush valve with no hooks. Good luck, Tom

DYIGUY · Oct 25, 2009, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by jack benny

Okay... my father decided to fix the toilets one day for a variety of reasons I won't go into right now... BUT ever since THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RIGHT !!! Wish he'd leave my HOUSE ALONE !!! Anyway, I digress.... The FLAPPER on the 2 toilets aren't working properly. When you flush they stay up for just about 3 seconds then close, which doesn't allow for a full flush or really, even a half flush... You then have to hold the handle down until you hear the completed flush sound !!! Very irritating.... I've tried adjusting the chain several times to no avail.... HELP !!!! why won't the flapper stay up until the flush is complete ??? When you flush the flapper DOES go all the way up ??? HELP ME PLEASE !!!

Tom:(

I am no expert but from experience I would make sure your flappers are the branded ones made by the toilet manufacturer. Your dad may have replaced them with generic replacement flappers which are supposed to work but I have had trouble with them.

speedball1 · Oct 25, 2009, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by DYIGUY

I am no expert but from experience I would make sure your flappers are the branded ones made by the toilet manufacturer. your dad may have replaced them with generic replacement flappers which are supposed to work but I have had trouble with them.

Guy,
You are responding to a 2 year old post. Regards, Tom

Jpsarver · Feb 17, 2011, 06:20 PM

If your flapper has the circular holder thar attaches to the tube, and it also has the ears that ride on the two stems that protrude from the sides of the two, try cutting between the circle and the ears. Having those pieces connected while it is riding on the stems seems to keep the flapper from staying up during the flush.

massplumber2008 · Feb 17, 2011, 06:38 PM

How's this work for you, Jpsarver... :)

ginag407 · Nov 27, 2011, 07:05 AM

THANK YOU! I was so scared to cut the ring because my old toilet system (with ball) had the ring. It's beautiful!

speedball1 · Nov 27, 2011, 08:45 AM

And we thank you for the update. Tom