Life Toliet Fixin'

jiveturkey · 10-06-2010, 01:16 PM

So I've got a leaky toilet.

This usually involves buying a $4 flapper and about 3 minutes of my time. For some reason the new flapper wouldn't seal and a 2nd more expensive ($6) flapper wouldn't do the trick either.

I don't believe that there are other flappers at the Home Depot that will fit the flush hole.

Any advise?

**Donger** · 10-06-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

So I've got a leaky toilet.

This usually involves buying a $4 flapper and about 3 minutes of my time. For some reason the new flapper wouldn't seal and a 2nd more expensive ($6) flapper wouldn't do the trick either.

I don't believe that there are other flappers at the Home Depot that will fit the flush hole.

Any advise?

It's not the flapper. The float has a hole in it and is sinking, which makes the tank refill. Replace the assembly.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

So I've got a leaky toilet.

This usually involves buying a $4 flapper and about 3 minutes of my time. For some reason the new flapper wouldn't seal and a 2nd more expensive ($6) flapper wouldn't do the trick either.

I don't believe that there are other flappers at the Home Depot that will fit the flush hole.

Any advise?

What brand of toilet? You may need to go to the manufacturer's website to order the exact replacement part. I have this issue with all of my Kohler's: The models sold my Home Depot & Lowes aren't exact replacements.

Secondly, where is the leak?

FAX · 10-06-2010, 01:25 PM

This reminds me. I attempted to fix an old, leaky toilet in pool house bath and forgot to put the giant, black, rubber, circle deal back on ... the one that fits between the tank thing and the back of the seat part thing. My first, test flush did not go well.

Then, because I had to remove the tank thing again, I goofed up and dropped the damn thing causing an enormous crack. Turns out, this particular old toilet is no longer manufactured. So, I had to track down a tank and, although it required some cleaning, found one in perfect condition at a salvage yard for $15.00. I spent days on this project ... figuring my time is worth more than $2.00 a day (debatable, of course), I would have been better off purchasing a new toilet or burning down the house.

However, now that I have vast experience in this area, I might be able to help. Can you take a photo of the inside of your tank, Mr. jiveturkey?

FAX

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

It's not the flapper. The float has a hole in it and is sinking, which makes the tank refill. Replace the assembly.

This is a very simple process. They sell assemblies at Home Depot for less than $7.00. Do NOT hire a plumber because they'll charge you in excess of $150 to replace.

If you have any questions, let us know. I've replaced four in my home in the past year (the toilets are about 7 years old, so it's time).

**penguinz** · 10-06-2010, 01:40 PM

Buy a new toilet. Get one of the ones you can flush a whole box of golf balls at once!

kepp · 10-06-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

It's not the flapper. The float has a hole in it and is sinking, which makes the tank refill. Replace the assembly.

This. I did this once by replacing just the flapper and it still leaked. I went and bought the whole assembly and it worked great.

jiveturkey · 10-06-2010, 01:42 PM

Since it's a slow leak I might trying finding the specific flapper from the manufacturer.

If that doesn't work I'll get a new assembly. I never thought of there being an issue with the float. It's always been an easy flapper swap in the past.

I appreciate the input.

**Donger** · 10-06-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

This is a very simple process. They sell assemblies at Home Depot for less than $7.00. Do NOT hire a plumber because they'll charge you in excess of $150 to replace.

If you have any questions, let us know. I've replaced four in my home in the past year (the toilets are about 7 years old, so it's time).

I hate Big Plumber.

It is pretty easy, but just make sure that you don't over-tighten. But, tighten enough that the assembly doesn't rotate.

Oh, and get a bunch of towels at the ready.

And, once you're all done, make sure that you leave some dry paper towels under the tank just to be sure there are no slow leaks.

**gblowfish** · 10-06-2010, 01:45 PM

You may only get one chance in life to grab the wax ring.

blaise · 10-06-2010, 01:46 PM

I'm sure you've checked, but is the chain too short and holding it up?

jiveturkey · 10-06-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I'm sure you've checked, but is the chain too short and holding it up?

Check

I think that I'm going to jump ahead to the full assembly replacement. First I'm going to have a couple of beers though. I can't image anyone taking my toilet repair skills seriously without it.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-06-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

Check

I think that I'm going to jump ahead to the full assembly replacement. First I'm going to have a couple of beers though. I can't image anyone taking my toilet repair skills seriously without it.

Make sure you scoop out all of water you can in the tank before removing the hose and seal. Otherwise, you're going to flood your bathroom floor. You'll still need towels because there will be some water that you can't scoop out, but it'll be a much smaller mess.

And FWIW, I haven't had the need to adjust the replacement fill assembly. It's been good right out of the box.

Chiefnj2 · 10-06-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Make sure you scoop out all of water you can in the tank before removing the hose and seal. Otherwise, you're going to flood your bathroom floor. You'll still need towels because there will be some water that you can't scoop out, but it'll be a much smaller mess.

And FWIW, I haven't had the need to adjust the replacement fill assembly. It's been good right out of the box.

Isn't it easier to close the water source and flush the toilet to empty (most of) the top tank?

FAX · 10-06-2010, 02:03 PM

Since it seems as though the problem is essentially solved and in pursuit of my goal to get Mr. jiveturkey's toilet repair thread to 100 posts no matter what it may take, I'm going to mention something here, rather than begin an entirely new thread ...

A friend of mine has throat cancer, so I decided to look it up and discovered that one of the main causes of throat cancer is oral sex with partners who have "HPV", or the same virus that causes cervical cancer in women. Just a warning to those of you considering oral sex since many girls/women may have HPV unknowingly.

FAX

10-06-2010, 01:16 PM
jiveturkey Captain Kick Ass Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $9305197	Toliet Fixin' So I've got a leaky toilet. This usually involves buying a $4 flapper and about 3 minutes of my time. For some reason the new flapper wouldn't seal and a 2nd more expensive ($6) flapper wouldn't do the trick either. I don't believe that there are other flappers at the Home Depot that will fit the flush hole. Any advise?
Posts: 5,781

10-06-2010, 01:25 PM	#4
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	This reminds me. I attempted to fix an old, leaky toilet in pool house bath and forgot to put the giant, black, rubber, circle deal back on ... the one that fits between the tank thing and the back of the seat part thing. My first, test flush did not go well. Then, because I had to remove the tank thing again, I goofed up and dropped the damn thing causing an enormous crack. Turns out, this particular old toilet is no longer manufactured. So, I had to track down a tank and, although it required some cleaning, found one in perfect condition at a salvage yard for $15.00. I spent days on this project ... figuring my time is worth more than $2.00 a day (debatable, of course), I would have been better off purchasing a new toilet or burning down the house. However, now that I have vast experience in this area, I might be able to help. Can you take a photo of the inside of your tank, Mr. jiveturkey? FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-06-2010, 01:40 PM	#6
penguinz Supporter Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $807626	Buy a new toilet. Get one of the ones you can flush a whole box of golf balls at once! __________________
Posts: 17,240

10-06-2010, 01:42 PM	#8
jiveturkey Captain Kick Ass Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $9305197	Since it's a slow leak I might trying finding the specific flapper from the manufacturer. If that doesn't work I'll get a new assembly. I never thought of there being an issue with the float. It's always been an easy flapper swap in the past. I appreciate the input.
Posts: 5,781

10-06-2010, 01:45 PM	#10
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	You may only get one chance in life to grab the wax ring.
Posts: 41,011

10-06-2010, 01:46 PM	#11
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	I'm sure you've checked, but is the chain too short and holding it up?
Posts: 22,189

10-06-2010, 02:03 PM	#15
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Since it seems as though the problem is essentially solved and in pursuit of my goal to get Mr. jiveturkey's toilet repair thread to 100 posts no matter what it may take, I'm going to mention something here, rather than begin an entirely new thread ... A friend of mine has throat cancer, so I decided to look it up and discovered that one of the main causes of throat cancer is oral sex with partners who have "HPV", or the same virus that causes cervical cancer in women. Just a warning to those of you considering oral sex since many girls/women may have HPV unknowingly. FAX
Posts: 44,492