Hi all
I'd appreciate any advice on this. We have a toilet that I think is a Kohler although I can't see any brand on it. Recently the flapper has been leaking slightly so it does a half phantom refill every hour or so. I removed the flapper, cleaned it and reinstalled but that didn't help. I don't know what it looks like when new but it doesn't look particularly worn, perhaps slightly, its hard to tell. I did some quick research and read that sometimes the piece it sits (the valve seat?) also needs replacing which is obviously a bigger job.
So off I went to a local big box store and bought these items:
A really cheap plastic flapper http://www.korky.com/Flapper52.html
and this repair kit which is supposed to be an easy alternative to replacing the valve seat:
http://www.korky.com/Flapper2003BP.html
I installed the cheap flapper and it looked okay until I turned the water on. It was no good at all. Water just flowed under it. Now, looking at the kit and wondering if it was really a wise idea to add something "foreign" I decided to just try that flapper without adding the black sealing ring. I got it over the top and all the way down and it works very well. It seals perfectly so I proudly put things back together
The only problem is that we used to be able to give the handle just a quick flick and it would work like an avalanche, once started it would flow until the tank was empty. Now we need to hold the handle down for the duration of the flush. I guess the new flapper is heavier. It slams down and seals as soon as you let it go.
The original flapper looks like this:
http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-291-toilet-flappers/flapper-with-chain-and-hook--641214.aspx
That's the only place I've found online that has what looks to be it.
Obviously, I should get the correct flapper. I guess my long winded question is how likely is it that the valve seat needs replacing? It doesn't look particularly worn or chipped or anything. Does the fact that this different flapper is sealing okay suggest that all would be well if I get the right flapper?
I came to the US from a country where dual flush toilets are legally required (where you choose half or full flush). I could certainly live with this problem because it makes it easy to do a half flush when that's all that is required but others in the house are complaining.
Thanks
Ross
I'd appreciate any advice on this. We have a toilet that I think is a Kohler although I can't see any brand on it. Recently the flapper has been leaking slightly so it does a half phantom refill every hour or so. I removed the flapper, cleaned it and reinstalled but that didn't help. I don't know what it looks like when new but it doesn't look particularly worn, perhaps slightly, its hard to tell. I did some quick research and read that sometimes the piece it sits (the valve seat?) also needs replacing which is obviously a bigger job.
So off I went to a local big box store and bought these items:
A really cheap plastic flapper http://www.korky.com/Flapper52.html
and this repair kit which is supposed to be an easy alternative to replacing the valve seat:
http://www.korky.com/Flapper2003BP.html
I installed the cheap flapper and it looked okay until I turned the water on. It was no good at all. Water just flowed under it. Now, looking at the kit and wondering if it was really a wise idea to add something "foreign" I decided to just try that flapper without adding the black sealing ring. I got it over the top and all the way down and it works very well. It seals perfectly so I proudly put things back together
The only problem is that we used to be able to give the handle just a quick flick and it would work like an avalanche, once started it would flow until the tank was empty. Now we need to hold the handle down for the duration of the flush. I guess the new flapper is heavier. It slams down and seals as soon as you let it go.
The original flapper looks like this:
http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-291-toilet-flappers/flapper-with-chain-and-hook--641214.aspx
That's the only place I've found online that has what looks to be it.
Obviously, I should get the correct flapper. I guess my long winded question is how likely is it that the valve seat needs replacing? It doesn't look particularly worn or chipped or anything. Does the fact that this different flapper is sealing okay suggest that all would be well if I get the right flapper?
I came to the US from a country where dual flush toilets are legally required (where you choose half or full flush). I could certainly live with this problem because it makes it easy to do a half flush when that's all that is required but others in the house are complaining.
Thanks
Ross
