We are generally not putting too much attention to the toilet tank until it becomes problematic. Toilet flushing is the most common issue in the USA. Maximum house-owner has a complaint about whether the toilet flapper won’t close after flush, or flushing with running water or blockage.
I can assume you are in the same trap. Your toilet flapper is not closing well, and the water is running. Right? Sorry about that, meanwhile I have good news for you.
I’ve had once faced the same problem my toilet is making noise and running continues. I checked everything and know the culprit is a toilet flapper.
The typical causes for a toilet flapper won’t close after flushing is the chain is short, flapper hinges mineral build-up, the air stuck in the flush valve, and the weight of the flapper. To fix this problem need to replace the flapper or chain adjustment.
Then I adjust it appropriately. I guaranteed you would not disappoint my methods like the flapper causing you.
Therefore, without wasting time, I like to recall all focus parts today so you can quickly get my points.
Today’s focus is on why Flapper won’t close and how you can fix it without a plumber or spending bucks.
- Why Toilet Flapper Won’t Close After Flushing
- 1. Toilet Flapper Not Closing because of the Chain
- 2. Toilet Flapper Won’t Drop because the new Flapper is too light.
- 3. Another reason the flapper is not Closing -The flapper is New & the Size is not correct.
- 4. Toilet Flapper won’t close because of the Air Pressure.
- 5. Why does the toilet flapper stay open – Because of Mineral build-up
- 6. Another cause Why is my toilet flapper not closing?
- How To Fix Toilet Flapper Not Closing
- How to Buy the right size flapper to fix close a toilet flapper?
- Final Words for Toilet flapper do not dropdown
Why Toilet Flapper Won’t Close After Flushing
More than 6 reasons are present behind a non-closing flapper after flush. Check and find out which one is in your case.
1. Toilet Flapper Not Closing because of the Chain
The flapper chain is most likely the causative agent for a not closing flapper after every flush.
The chain is present in the toilet tank attached to the flush lever/ handle and the flapper. Therefore, whenever you flush, the toilet the chain pulls up the flapper, and water goes to the bowl and clears the matter.
If the chain is too tight, the flapper does not drop properly, which you can see. Are you recently changing the flapper or changing the chain? After installing the flapper, it seems your chain adjustment is not proper.
So lose the chain one step or put the next buckle, observe if the flapper is still up or seal properly.
If so, then the chain is the main problem, and your problem is solved. If no, then check another matter.
2. Toilet Flapper Won’t Drop because the new Flapper is too light.
Suppose your flapper will not drop because of the flapper itself. Yes. Flapper gets down by gravity, and a few amounts of water remain after a flush; by the gravity force, the flapper seal down.
Toilet flapper does not generally break down, but low-quality flapper may and causes the flapper to be lightweight against the water.
Another reason the flapper is new and not heavy as required is so it does not sit.
Is this the reason in your case? Does one think to push yourself the flapper and then observe if it still floating, then the weight is the problem you need to replace it?
3. Another reason the flapper is not Closing -The flapper is New & the Size is not correct.
Install a new flapper super easy, but the size is vital for fits. Above all, reasons are not under your case, and then size can be the problem.
The flapper seals the flush valve to hold the water and opens when required; just push the handle water down.
If the size is not correct as of the gasket, then it may be the problem flapper not closing. It does not close properly if it is small; similarly, it does not close correctly if it is relatively large.
So check this point.
4. Toilet Flapper won’t close because of the Air Pressure.
Air pressure is a significant cause for a flapper not being close. The air present in the duct that can not move out then create pressure in the upward direction. This leads to a flapper not being close.
5. Why does the toilet flapper stay open – Because of Mineral build-up
Oh! The mineral build-up is the most annoying issue that usually happens in the toilet. The lime build-up can cause different rings, brown stains, Black residue, and many more.
Prolong mineral build-up accumulate beneath the flapper seal and forms a thick tier which is the cause for not closing the flapper and staying up all time.
This is usually happening in old toilets.
6. Another cause Why is my toilet flapper not closing?
Flapper Hinge- A flapper hinge or flapper’s arm is attached to the overflow tube with small arms, which holds the flapper during the flush.
If the flapper’s arms are not flexible or lubricated, then it is stuck tightly to the flapper.
You may need to check how can you a right toilet flapper
As a result, either the flapper falls so slow or does not close properly.
Now you the reason why your toilet flapper does not close and stay up. Now time to fix it.
How To Fix Toilet Flapper Not Closing
1. If there is a chain problem, loosen it once, and the flapper will close.
2. If there is a problem with air pressure, turn off the water line once and flush it thoroughly. Then release the air, you will see that the flapper will close.
3. Replace the low-weight Flapper.
4. Purchase the correct size flapper.
5. If there is mineral buildup. Try to remove it with these 4 techniques.
How to Buy the right size flapper to fix close a toilet flapper?
Toilet flapper mainly ranges between 2 inches to 4 inches. Still, when we replace the old with the new one, we usually get the universal flapper.
Universal flapper claim fits every place but sometimes does not happen.
Water amount per flush-
What is the amount of your flush 1.2 or the 1.6 GPH? The amount determines the flapper size. The larger the amount bigger the size.
For example, 1.6 GPH needs 3 inches flapper relatively 1.2 GPF needs 2 inches.
Get the Right Size-
Whatever you use the model, and check the flapper size installed by the manufacturer.
Check the Flush Valve hole-
By checking the flush valve hole, you can quickly determine the right size of the flapper.
If the flush valve size looks like an orange or baseball size, the measure would be 2 inches. In case the valve size looks like grapefruit, then 3 inches is enough for it.
Final Words for Toilet flapper do not dropdown
The toilet flapper is so cheap yet the major part of a flush mechanism. We never look after this until any problem arises.
Toilet flapper does not close well for different reasons, knowing the reason works after this. You don’t need a plumber to solve it.
Simply adjusting a few things can resolve your problem. Keep in mind that if you buy a new flapper, which usually costs around $10 to $15 and maybe less, make sure you get the correct size and quality product.
Before buying a check, the parameters of a smaller one or the bigger one can lead to leakage.
Relevant Queries-
Q1. Are toilet flappers universal?
Yes, toilet flappers are mostly universal but not working all time. You need to check the exact flapper size, which has said its model name.
Q2. How do I know if my toilet flapper is terrible?
The toilet flapper is cheap among all parts of the toilet.
To know toilet flapper is terrible, try these methods
1. Take a dye tablet or food color, drop it into the toilet tank and watch after few minutes. If the dye shows up in our bowl, then time to change the flapper.
2. Check if your toilet fills alternative minutes without using it, next to the flapper need to change.
Q3. Which toilet flapper is best?
· The best 2-inch flapper is Korky 100 BP ultra-high-performance Flapper.
· TOTO 3 inch large flapper.
Q4. How often do you replace toilet flappers?
Check your toilet tank alternatives years by dropping color and check the condition of the flapper.
Meanwhile, a maximum of 4 to 5 years later replaces old with a new one.
Q5. How much does it cost to replace a toilet flapper?
The minimum cost is 9 dollars, and the maximum price is 43 dollars.
Q6. Are toilet flappers different sizes?
Yes. In the modern era, toilet flapper comes in different sizes include 2inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches. But 2 and 3 inches are the most commonly used flapper and provide an excellent service.
Q7. Why the new toilet flapper won’t go down?
The new toilet flapper won’t go down because it’s not the right size.
Also, there could be a few different reasons. The most common reason is that the chain connecting the flapper to the handle is too short. This can be easily adjusted by lengthening the chain.
Another reason could be that the flush valve seat is dirty or corroded, preventing a good seal. Cleaning or replacing the flush valve seat should fix this problem.
Last, if the water level in the tank is too low, the flapper will not have enough weight to seal properly. Adjusting the water level should take care of this issue.
