Toilet Re-Fills Frequently:

I noticed your site and thought I would see if you had a better solution or answer to a long standing problem that we are experiencing with our Kohler (two-piece) toilets. I installed new flappers last year in both toilets in the house and after about a month they both started to "refill" after about an hour or so after flushing. I assume that the problem is the flapper leaking as I can mark the tank and watch it slowly leak out.

Is there a minimal-leak valve that would be a better solution than the plastic/rubber combination I currently have? 

Paul

There should be a "no-leak" valve you can install.

It sounds like you are experiencing premature wear on your toilet flapper valves. I have seen some of these devices leak after a few months. You can check the valve seat (the part beneath the flapper) to see if there is a chunk of debris holding the valve open. Sometimes the lever pull-chain gets caught under the flapper, but this usually result in really fast leakage. If so, shortening the chain is the solution.

When I see a problem like this, I just replace the flapper... with a different brand. There are a lot of low-priced products that may not hold up well. You can tell if the black rubber degrades and leaves a grimy mess on your hands when you touch a used flapper. Most flapper valves are natural rubber (which degrades over time) and are black in color. And some flappers are just deformed from the start.

I have seen some synthetic rubber (or silicone rubber, I can't remember) flappers, and I believe they were orange color. I recommend that you purchase the best quality flapper you can find, the price difference is not much. The best source might be where the plumbers go... a conventional plumbing supply house.

Bruce W. Maki, Editor.

Paul replies:

Just thought I would tell you what the results were of my venture in to the flapper business. First, I turned the water off and flushed the toilet, then checked the valve seat and found that was in great shape but a little dirty. So I cleaned it thoroughly with a cotton cloth and alcohol. Then I checked the flapper and found that it was totally warped creating a leak in the seal, it needed to be replaced. I then checked and cleaned the other seat and flapper with alcohol and a cloth and re-installed it and it worked.

The real challenge was to find the right replacement flapper, one that would be lasting a non-leaking. I went to the local hardware store and began my investigation. There was a huge selection of MANY different flappers, flapper kits, complete seat and flapper combinations. After asking the friendly hardware consultant, I finally came up with what I (and he) thought was the best and most cost effective solution - Korky's red flapper. A soft red rubber flapper, costing around $4, which seem to seat perfectly after a two minute install. The valve seat on both toilets was just fine and that is the end of my story (until the next leaky episode).

So long,

Paul

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Compiled February 2, 2001