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!