Toilet Flapper Falling Off Center

11 years ago

You can test your theory by attaching a small weight to the flapper.

I'm guessing something is just old and worn down, but of course, I haven't seen it. The "chain" technology itself is pretty old although I suppose you can still buy that kind of system. I don't think many new toilets come with that system these days.

It's pretty inexpensive to replace if you can do it yourself. Around here it would cost about $80 if you call in a plumber. Might be a little higher where you are.

By the way, did you check YouTube? It's amazing all the how-to videos you can find there. I figured out what was wrong with our dishwasher in just a few minutes using YouTube.

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Steven Wagenheim

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

You can test your theory by attaching a small weight to the flapper.

I'm guessing something is just old and worn down, but of course, I haven't seen it. The "chain" technology itself is pretty old although I suppose you can still buy that kind of system. I don't think many new toilets come with that system these days.

It's pretty inexpensive to replace if you can do it yourself. Around here it would cost about $80 if you call in a plumber. Might be a little higher where you are.

By the way, did you check YouTube? It's amazing all the how-to videos you can find there. I figured out what was wrong with our dishwasher in just a few minutes using YouTube.

Dennis, if there's no chain to pull up the flapper, what do the new toilets use?
This toilet can't be more than a few years old so it's not that old either.

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Dennis Gaskill

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Dennis, if there's no chain to pull up the flapper, what do the new toilets use?
This toilet can't be more than a few years old so it's not that old either.

We remodeled our bathroom last year. The new toilet doesn't even have a flapper. This is like ours:

Kohler Cimmaron Toilet: WaterSense Certified - The Home Depot | The Home Depot

(The video will show you the flushing mechanism.)

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Daniel Evans

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

My toilet flapper is falling off center to the left. My
question is this. Do I have to replace it or is there some adjustment I can make
and if so, what is it?

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Ken Leatherman 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel Evans

Daniel,

Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off. (Pun intended) Did you get it? Did you get it? Huh? Huh? Didja?
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Khemosabi

11 years ago

Hi Steve!

Couple of questions:

1) Is the center loose? The center being what the flapper is attatched to. This happens.

2) Even with the chlorine, is there any type of build up in your tank? If there is, just run your finger under the flap, and also on the ridge where the flap sets down. If your tank is clear, then test the firmness of the flapper. If it is really soft, it could be having trouble seating properly.

3) Also, try running your fingers over the chain. Build up on a chain is common too. Chemicals can make a chain become stiff, giving the flapper resistance when trying to close.

I hope that gave you some ideas. Mr. Fix It is home right now if you need anymore help.

If it is the chain, one thing that does help is replacing it with a black coated chain. We use those because we have a lot of iron in our water. We're on a well...

~ Theresa

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Steven Wagenheim

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Khemosabi

Hi Steve!

Couple of questions:

1) Is the center loose? The center being what the flapper is attatched to. This happens.

2) Even with the chlorine, is there any type of build up in your tank? If there is, just run your finger under the flap, and also on the ridge where the flap sets down. If your tank is clear, then test the firmness of the flapper. If it is really soft, it could be having trouble seating properly.

3) Also, try running your fingers over the chain. Build up on a chain is common too. Chemicals can make a chain become stiff, giving the flapper resistance when trying to close.

I hope that gave you some ideas. Mr. Fix It is home right now if you need anymore help.

If it is the chain, one thing that does help is replacing it with a black coated chain. We use those because we have a lot of iron in our water. We're on a well...

~ Theresa

Don't know the answers to any of the above but I'll investigate and find out.

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Khemosabi 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Don't know the answers to any of the above but I'll investigate and find out.

Steve!

Because you have said it's pulling to the left, I imagine that you've already watched as you flushed?

I hope I'm not overstepping here, but Mr. fix it is home right now, and you are more than welcome to call and he'll walk you through it! Just send a PM if you want some help.

Flappers and flush valves are super easy to replace. They're not expensive. A flapper costs like 2 bucks or so around here. It's the danged gas to get to the hardware store!

Anyhow, what color is your flapper? The black one's are usually made of a harder, more durable rubber.

Let me know! And, good luck!!!

~ Theresa
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Khemosabi

11 years ago

Me again Steve!

Also, please check to see if the "hooks" that hold the flapper are in tact! One could have come off, or simple broken! That too could be causing it to pull to the left!

~ Theresa

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Steven Wagenheim

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Khemosabi

Me again Steve!

Also, please check to see if the "hooks" that hold the flapper are in tact! One could have come off, or simple broken! That too could be causing it to pull to the left!

~ Theresa

The hooks are fine. I tried an experiment. I tried just gently squeezing the
flusher and releasing it as soon as the water flushed. What this did was only
raise the flapper up a couple of inches instead of popping it all the way up and
it came down perfectly each time.

I'll have to shut the water off to tell but my gut says the flapper has just
become too soft and when having to travel the entire distance (I'd say about
6 inches) it's not heavy enough to fall squarely. I think a new one will do the
trick.

The one we have now is not the hard black kind. It's a lighter color rubber. I
can't tell you what color because I'm color blind but it looks like a light brown.

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Khemosabi

11 years ago

Hi Steve!

Ok, I just got railed by Mr. Fix it.. the color does not matter! OOPS!

Anyhow, what he suggests is you take the flapper with you to the hardware store. Just to make sure you have the right "fits".

Good luck..

And the offer still stands if you need any help!!

~ Theresa

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HeySal

11 years ago

Hmmm..........why does the image of Tim Allen on Home Improvements keep flashing through my head?

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Steven Wagenheim 11 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Hmmm..........why does the image of Tim Allen on Home Improvements keep flashing through my head?

Because I'm as inept as he is?
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Khemosabi 11 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Hmmm..........why does the image of Tim Allen on Home Improvements keep flashing through my head?

Our toilets are all powered by a V-8. I feel for our guests, if you flush before you get OUT OF THE WAY, you can end up in the barn!

After the entertainment value was over, we did put a sign above our toilet, and some seat belts. Serves two purposes, it warns them, and they never stay long!

Mr. fix it has been known to put a saw blade on the end of a weed eater to cut down brush! *rolls eyes*
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lcombs

11 years ago

It's most likely because the chain is too loose.
tighten it up a link or two.

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Steven Wagenheim

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill

Replace the entire mechanism. They don't cost much.

Except to do that, I'd have to call a plumber. I am not mechanically inclined.

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Kay King

11 years ago

Nothing mechanical about it. Take out the guts - put in new guts. Plenty of videos on YouTube with instructions.

I've done it - and if I can do it, anyone can.

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Steven Wagenheim

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Nothing mechanical about it. Take out the guts - put in new guts. Plenty of videos on YouTube with instructions.

I've done it - and if I can do it, anyone can.

You have yet to see me with a screwdriver in my hand.

It's not a pretty sight.

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Toilet Flapper Falling Off Center

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