How To Clean Toilet Flapper

A flapper relies on its softness and the weight of the water in the toilet tank above it to seal to the tank outlet.

How to clean toilet flapper. Now that you know what a toilet flapper is and how it works let s move on the procedure to remove a damaged flapper. How to remove a hard plastic toilet flapper. All you need to do is to follow up these simple tips. Drain water from the toilet tank flush your toilet hold down your toilet s handle sponge the remaining water with a cloth. Vaseline to stop a toilet leak.

In this way the water is released. Clean off the rim of the outlet at the bottom of the toilet tank to make sure it is smooth. Turn the water back on and test your work. They can cause the flapper to warp crumble and eventually lose its seal over the flush tube allowing water to leak through. Flappers tend to deteriorate over time usually because of their constant interaction with in tank cleaning products and chemicals found in the water.

Be careful not to move the flapper side to side or it won t sit flush. Flappers aren t difficult to replace but some. Don a pair of rubber gloves. Before cleaning the flapper and valve seat shut off water to the tank by turning the wall mounted handle behind it. If the water runs continuously in the tank or if it takes a really long time to fill the tank there s likely a problem with the flapper.

Gently lift the flapper and scrub it with an old toothbrush or scouring pad. Toilet flappers and the seal around them can wear out over time. Turn off the shutoff valve main water supply. If the chain or the flapper is damaged the water will start draining out fast. The cause of a slow toilet leak is often a flapper that has hardened with age and no longer makes a watertight seal.

Replacing your toilet s flapper is no brainer too. If that didn t work you may need a professional plumber to replace the parts or if the flapper or valve seat show signs of wear. You can tell if it needs to be replaced by listening for running water. Turn the water on and refill the tank. Flush the toilet to drain the tank.