How to Replace a Toilet Flapper

FLAP OFF. FLAP ON. THE FLAPPER.

replacing your flapper

Description: Follow these fast and easy steps for replacing your flapper:

  1. Close the water supply to your toilet. This is typically located behind the bowl, below the tank. If there's no valve or the valve is stuck, turn off the water to the house.
  2. Flush the water in the tank and note the length of the chain from the flush handle to the flapper. This will save time when installing the new flapper.
  3. If the flapper is connected by a circular ring around the tube, remove the refill tube from the overflow tube. (If not, go directly to step 4.)
  4. Remove the chain from the flush lever, then remove the old flapper by sliding it up and off of the overflow tube. Or, unhook the flapper ears from the overflow tube. For new plastic flush valves, you may have to bend the flapper ears out and off the pins on the flush valve.
  5. Write down the toilet manufacturer and the model number, if you know it. The manufacturer's name is often stamped on the outside of the bowl near the seat hinges and the model number is normally on the inside at the back of the tank.
  6. Take the old flapper and the information you've noted to a plumbing supply store or home improvement store that carries replacement flappers. If you have a 1.6 gpf toilet, the store should have information on the correct replacement flapper and settings for adjustable flappers. Be prepared to pay $2 - $10 for the right flapper. And don't forget to get a beaded metal flapper chain replacement.
  7. Install the new flapper by sliding it down and over the overflow tube until the ring touches the bottom of the tank, with the flapper bulb centered on the valve opening. For plastic valves, cut the ring off of the flapper along the lines marked "cut" and slip the ears of the flapper over the pins on the flush valves.

How to replace a flapper.