By Mike Nelson
Last issue I explained the delicate process of replacing your old inefficient toilet. I also promised to help out those of you who just aren’t ready to part with your old toilet just yet, and want to make a few necessary repairs.
Much like the aforementioned replacement, repairing a toilet is a fairly easy task with a few common tools and the right materials. Most repairs can be facilitated with only a pair of slip-joint pliers. Lucky for you, a toilet is a simple device, so there isn’t all that much that can go wrong. That said, there are differences that necessitate these descriptions to be kept fairly generic. Some very old (or very new) toilets have parts that vary greatly from those described here. If that’s your situation, ask for advice at your neighborhood hardware store, or call a qualified handyman or plumber.
Stop that Running Toilet!
The most common problem is a toilet that “runs”, or is leaking water from the tank to the bowl. This can be traced to the flush valve, also known as the flapper. Before replacing, make sure that the chain that connects the flush handle to the flapper is adjusted with a small amount of slack. If it’s too tight, the flapper might not seat properly. If the chain looks good, and you’re still losing water, then odds are that the flapper’s time has come and gone.
Start all repairs by turning off the water at the shut-off valve below the toilet. Turn the valve handle clockwise to turn off the water. If the valve handle is stuck, carefully use your pliers to assist in turning it. If you don’t have a shut-off valve, or the water won’t quite shut off, you may have to use your main shut-off instead. Once the water is off, hold down the flash handle until the tank drains completely.
Once you’ve drained the water, reach into the tank and remove the old flapper—but not before you’ve put on a pair of latex gloves as the broken-down rubber from an old flapper can stain your hands. Unhook the chain from the handle, and then unclip the flapper from its mounting pegs. Your best bet is to put the old flapper in a plastic bag, and take it to the hardware store to be sure you get the right replacement. If your toilet manufacturer’s brand is visible (usually right between the seat and the tank), make note of that, too. Installation is pretty much the reverse of the removal process. Once you’ve hooked the new flapper on to the pegs, adjust the chain length so there’s a little slack. It should move freely when you move the handle, and seat completely when you release it. If you want your new flapper to last, avoid using cleaning chemicals in the tank. If you must, use the products that attach inside the bowl.
Fill ‘er Up!
If you have issues with the water filling up the tank, those can be traced to the fill valve, or what used to be called a “ballcock valve” (where do they get these names?). If yours is giving you trouble, replacing it is pretty simple. There is a readily available and universal replacement, and it comes with easy step-by-step directions.
Other common complaints include a loose flush handle. Fix this by tightening the nut that secures the handle to the tank. This nut is almost always “reverse thread”, so turn it counter-clockwise to tighten it. Like everything else you do here, don’t over-tighten it, or you run the risk of cracking the tank. In that case, you’ll have to dig out my previous column on toilet replacement, and go from there. Never ignore water on the floor by the toilet. Even a small leak, either from a water line or the wax ring under the toilet, can cause major damage. If you suspect that you have a leaking toilet, shut off the water, and get it fixed.
Mike Nelson lives in Mayfair. If you have any home repair questions, or suggestions for future columns, email them to Mike@FairfaxHomeSolutions.com.
