Have to hold handle down to flush toilet...

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B

BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
Just from looking at the tank, it looks like the problem is that if you just press the handle down for a second, the handle pulls the rubber link, which lifts the rubber flap, but as soon as you let go of the handle, the rubber flap drops right away sealing the hole again before all the water has had a chance to flow out.

How can I fix this?

Edit:

I just tried a new flapper and it stays up for a few more seconds than the old one, it doesn't stay up long enough for the flush to complete.
 
S

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
0
71
My guess: take the slack out of the line connecting the handle to the flap?

*knows shit about shit*
 
KeithTalent

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
118
116
This happened to me a little while back so I went to Home Depot, picked up a new 'apparatus' (whatever you call the thing) for ~20 bucks and installed it. Fixed the problem right away, just make sure you get the tension right on the line; there should be instructions with the apparatus.

KT
 
Atomic Playboy

Atomic Playboy

Lifer
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
1
81
I'm from Oregon, so my answer would be dynamite. When Oregonians have a problem, we don't hesitate to blow it to hell.
 
C

Calcifor

Junior Member
Apr 1, 2008
7
0
0
You can try shortening the handle-flapper link a little at a time to see if that fixes it. It could also be that the flapper is bad (it lost its buoyancy and doesn't float as much as it should). Look at the general condition of the hardware in the tank; if looks at all old/crusty/worn out, go ahead and replace everything. I usually get the kit from Home Depot (as KeithTalent mentioned) that will cost $10-15. It is in a green package and comes with an integrated valve/float assembly, flapper, link and handle. There's a more expensive kit (about $5 more) that comes with a gasket, but you probably don't need that.

Replacement is pretty easy and should take less than an hour. You'll need some channel locks or something similar, plus some pliers if the old stuff is crusted on. It can be a real pain to get all that stuff out sometimes (from experience). You'll also need a bucket and some towels (also from experience). Be very careful not to over tighten the new fittings. When you get it all done, everything should work just fine, and you've just earned yourself some man-points.

Sorry about the long post.

 
Atomic Playboy

Atomic Playboy

Lifer
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
1
81
Originally posted by: Calcifor
You can try shortening the handle-flapper link a little at a time to see if that fixes it. It could also be that the flapper is bad (it lost its buoyancy and doesn't float as much as it should). Look at the general condition of the hardware in the tank; if looks at all old/crusty/worn out, go ahead and replace everything. I usually get the kit from Home Depot (as KeithTalent mentioned) that will cost $10-15. It is in a green package and comes with an integrated valve/float assembly, flapper, link and handle. There's a more expensive kit (about $5 more) that comes with a gasket, but you probably don't need that.

Replacement is pretty easy and should take less than an hour. You'll need some channel locks or something similar, plus some pliers if the old stuff is crusted on. It can be a real pain to get all that stuff out sometimes (from experience). You'll also need a bucket and some towels (also from experience). Be very careful not to over tighten the new fittings. When you get it all done, everything should work just fine, and you've just earned yourself some man-points.

Sorry about the long post.
Click to expand...

I love new people. They come in with an articulate, detailed answer, then apologize for the long post. Don't apologize when you're actually being helpful... Now if you hang around for a while and you start to post like me, where my answer to anything I don't know is to blow the sonofabitch up, then apologizing makes more sense. My sig should probably just be "I'm sorry." I never am though, so that would make me unhelpful and a liar...

I forgot where I was going with this... Oh yeah, welcome aboard, don't apologize for being a decent human being, and don't let ATOT corrupt your soul as it has mine.
 
M

manlymatt83

Lifer
Oct 14, 2005
10,051
44
91
I love new people. They come in with an articulate, detailed answer, then apologize for the long post. Don't apologize when you're actually being helpful... Now if you hang around for a while and you start to post like me, where my answer to anything I don't know is to blow the sonofabitch up, then apologizing makes more sense. My sig should probably just be "I'm sorry." I never am though, so that would make me unhelpful and a liar...

I forgot where I was going with this... Oh yeah, welcome aboard, don't apologize for being a decent human being, and don't let ATOT corrupt your soul as it has mine.
Click to expand...

:confused:
 
O

ObiDon

Diamond Member
May 8, 2000
3,435
0
0
Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
I'm from Oregon, so my answer would be dynamite. When Oregonians have a problem, we don't hesitate to blow it to hell.
Click to expand...
i'm not originally from oregon... so, first, i try profanity. then, i try punching it. if neither of those works, i give up.
 
Joemonkey

Joemonkey

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2001
8,859
4
0
May be slack on the chain, or a bad flapper. If you buy a new flapper, just know that if it is the kind that slides down the tube you're good, but if it's the kind that has ears you need to actually cut off the part that slides down the tube or torque on the rubber will cause you all sorts of issues trying to get the flapper set up right
 
KK

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
I'm from Oregon, so my answer would be dynamite. When Oregonians have a problem, we don't hesitate to blow it to hell.
Click to expand...

Link
 
TastesLikeChicken

TastesLikeChicken

Lifer
Sep 12, 2004
16,852
59
86
You need to replace the flapper. When raised its design is such (the hollow cone on the underside that retains air) that it should float in the water until almost all the water is emptied from the tank before it closes. Based on your descrpition, your flapper has a leak or wear that doesn't allow it to float properly.

Buying a replacement flapper is a cheap fix. However, if the flapper is gone other parts of the flush assembly probably aren't far behind. As others have mentioned, you're better off buying an entirely new assembly and installing that instead.
 
Demo24

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
I'm from Oregon, so my answer would be dynamite. When Oregonians have a problem, we don't hesitate to blow it to hell.
Click to expand...

:laugh:
 
A

AndrewR

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,157
0
0
Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Originally posted by: Calcifor
You can try shortening the handle-flapper link a little at a time to see if that fixes it. It could also be that the flapper is bad (it lost its buoyancy and doesn't float as much as it should). Look at the general condition of the hardware in the tank; if looks at all old/crusty/worn out, go ahead and replace everything. I usually get the kit from Home Depot (as KeithTalent mentioned) that will cost $10-15. It is in a green package and comes with an integrated valve/float assembly, flapper, link and handle. There's a more expensive kit (about $5 more) that comes with a gasket, but you probably don't need that.

Replacement is pretty easy and should take less than an hour. You'll need some channel locks or something similar, plus some pliers if the old stuff is crusted on. It can be a real pain to get all that stuff out sometimes (from experience). You'll also need a bucket and some towels (also from experience). Be very careful not to over tighten the new fittings. When you get it all done, everything should work just fine, and you've just earned yourself some man-points.

Sorry about the long post.
Click to expand...

I love new people. They come in with an articulate, detailed answer, then apologize for the long post. Don't apologize when you're actually being helpful... Now if you hang around for a while and you start to post like me, where my answer to anything I don't know is to blow the sonofabitch up, then apologizing makes more sense. My sig should probably just be "I'm sorry." I never am though, so that would make me unhelpful and a liar...

I forgot where I was going with this... Oh yeah, welcome aboard, don't apologize for being a decent human being, and don't let ATOT corrupt your soul as it has mine.
Click to expand...

I hate to break it to you, but you're new around here.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
101,132
18,183
126
Replace the mechanism completely. Get the new ones that don't have the floating ball lever.
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
You just need a new flapper. Your flapper doesn't float anymore. The flapper is supposed to float for 2-5 seconds to allow all the water to drain.
 
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