How To Replace My Toilet Flapper

Is your toilet “ghost flushing” in the middle of the night, or can you hear water constantly running? Generally, the culprit is a worn-out rubber flapper. The good news is you don’t need to call a pro to fix it. This is a quick five-step DIY project that anyone can handle.

Step 1: Prep the Tank

First thing is to remove the toilet tank cover and set it somewhere safe, so it doesn’t crack.

Next, you will need to shut the water off. Look for the valve on the wall underneath the toilet and turn it clockwise until it stops. Once the water is off, lift the old flapper manually to let the water drain out of the tank and to ensure no water is filling back in.

Step 2: Remove the Old Flapper

Look at how the flapper is attached. You should see two little holes on the sides of the flapper that flip over plastic tabs on the overflow tube. Disconnect the chain by unclipping it from the toilet handle arm. Then pull the flapper by gently pulling the rubber ears off the tabs and lifting the flapper out.

Pro Tip! Take your old flapper with you to the hardware store! There are many different styles and sizes and matching it up in person is the best way to guarantee you get the right fit.

Step 3: Install the New Flapper

You simply need to reverse the steps you just did! First line up the holes by sliding the holes on the new flapper over the tabs on the overflow tube. Then attach the chain by clipping it back onto the handle arm.

Step 4: The Chain Adjustment

The most important part of this job is getting the chain tension just right. You want just a tiny bit of slack when the handle is at rest.

• Too Tight: The flapper won’t seat properly, and water will leak into the bowl.
• Too Loose: The flapper won’t lift high enough, and your toilet won’t flush all the way.

Step 5: The Final Test

Turn the water valve back on and let the tank fill up. Once it’s full, flush to test your handiwork. When you hit the handle, the flapper should come all the way up and stay there while the water drains. If it drops too soon, you might need to tighten the chain by one or two links. And that’s it! You just saved yourself a service call and stopped that annoying leak. But if you find that doesn’t solve the problem, contact Blue Chip Plumbing here or give us a call today at (513) 999-6820.