How do I know if I have a 2 or 3 toilet flapper?

Look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank.

1. If the opening looks about the size of a baseball or orange, you need a 2″ flapper.
2. If the opening looks about the size of a softball or grapefruit, you need a 3″ flapper.

Is there a universal toilet flapper?

STEP 1: Toilets vary in size and shape, as do their flush valve systems. Flappers comes in two sizes, two inch and three inch. A majority of toilets will use the two inch flapper; however three inch flappers have become popular in recent years and can be found in newer toilets manufactured since 2005.

How do you know if you have a bad toilet flapper?

To check for other leaks in the toilet, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. After a minute or so, if there is coloring leaking into the bowl that means the flush valve and/or flapper is leaking. If the chain is too tight, it’ll keep the flapper in a slightly open position letting water leak out of the tank.

Why does my toilet have two flappers?

To make stronger water flow, it uses two flush valves with a flapper each. The idea is to get water to flow into the bowl at twice the speed. And each valve serves a different water channel in the bowl. One for rinsing the surface of the bowl, while the other is for pushing solid waste out through the trapway.

How much does a flapper valve cost?

Fill, Shut Off & Flush Valve(s), Flapper Valve replacement can run a homeowner between $50 and $150 or more depending on local rates and minimums. A homeowner may be able to save money by doing some of these jobs him/herself. Fill valves refill the tank and bowl to the correct water levels after flushing.

Why do toilet flappers go bad?

Rubber will crack and deteriorate faster when exposed to heat, meaning the flapper will no longer flex and cover the drain opening as it did before. Pouring hot water into the toilet’s tank, or improper plumbing that feeds hot or even warm water into the tank, will lead to the flapper going bad prematurely.

How long should a flapper last?

As the flapper deteriorates it allows leakage. Although it is not something many of us think of as needing replacement on a routine basis, in general, a toilet flapper should be replaced every three to five years.

How do you fix a toilet flapper that stays up?

How to Adjust a Sticking Toilet Flapper

1. Turn off the water valve and hold down the flush handle until the tank is empty.
2. Adjust the chain holding the flapper to the flush handle.
3. Clean the inlet holes in the toilet bowl if you can’t stop the flapper from sticking by adjusting the chain.

How long does a toilet flapper last?

about 4 to 5 years
The average toilet flapper lasts about 4 to 5 years. It is important that you replace your toilet flapper when needed to prevent damaging leaks.