So you’re all proud of yourself because you just replaced all the parts inside the toilet tank and now your going to relax and enjoy the game. You’ve got your favorite brew in hand the game is about to begin when you wife calls out “honey the toilet is running”. You run back to check everything out, you flush it, it fills up and it stops running. She must be hearing things, as soon as you get back to the big screen TV she calls out “the toilet is running”. It can’t be I just replaced all the parts! It can be! Watch the video.
Which Toilet Flapper?
OK so you’ve diagnosed your running toilet to be a leaking toilet flapper; a relatively simple fix right?
Not so fast!
Have you taken a trip to your local home center recently and seen the multitude of choices you have for something as simple as a flapper? Scary!
Back in the old days (the late 60’s and 70’s) there was pretty much only one choice, the good old reliable triple seal (trade name) rubber ball which was the go-to choice of professional plumbers.
As times progressed, the introduction of the basic flapper made its way into the market, so, in addition to the TS/ rubber ball I also carried a flapper on the truck – now I had what I needed to get the job done 99% of the time. Fast forward through the evolution of the 1.6 g.p.m. toilet, the 1.28 g.p.m. toilet and now the 3″ diameter flush valves, what was once a universal repair has become an adventure in locating and fitting the right flapper for the right job.
Most modern toilets today are fitted with their own proprietary flappers and flushing systems and what used to be a simple fix is no longer the case. What I have always found that using O.E.M. (Original Equipped Manufactured) parts are always your best bet in replacing flappers in modern toilets. There are now and always have been several companies out there that make replacement flappers for several manufacturers, but I can tell you from experience that sometimes they’ll work and sometimes they won’t.
As a professional plumber, I’ve gone from carrying two choices of flappers to no less than approximately twelve and even then, I don’t always have the right one for the job. What I’ll actually do now if my client suspects a bad flapper, is ask that they send me a digital photo of the offending flapper so I can identify and have the correct one with me when I show up to make the repair.
If you as homeowner find yourself needing to replace your leaking flapper and don’t want to call in a plumber, I strongly suggest you take the existing flapper with you to the home center or plumbing supply and match it up with some O.E.M parts.
If you have a minute I encourage you to take a look at my video on “Flapper Evolution” which will give you a better understanding of how it started and where we are today. If you still have questions drop me a note at info@bobsplumbingvideos.com. I’d be happy to answer all your questions.
Happy Plumbing!
How To Choose The Right Toilet Flapper
Wow! Have we come a long way since I started. Life was so simple way back when, a triple seal rubber ball and basic toilet flapper and I had 99% of all toilet tank related leaks covered. Not any more! Today I need a van just to carry around toilet flappers. With the evolution of the modern toilet each manufacturer has their unique flapper design. In some cases a generic replacement might work, but my experience has been that if it’s not a O.E.M replacement toilet flapper you’re in trouble. Check out this video!
Leatherman Tool – Bobs Recommended Tools
You know that American Express saying ” Don’t leave home without it!”? Well I don’t leave home without my Leatherman super tool. This thing saves me countless trips in and out of the truck and it’s on my belt at all times. I’ve got them in my car, my home, all over. Can’t get enough of my Leatherman tools.
Basin Wrench – Bobs Recommended Tools
Ridgid is the tool of choice when it comes to the plumbing trade. I’ve used this brand since I was a kid, and if you’re in the market for a basin wrench or any other type of pipe wrench look no further than Ridgid. I personally own several of their adjustable height basin wrenches, but if you’re on a budget you might consider a fixed height model.