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| Fluidmaster 5 Minute Flush Valve Kit |
My great and wonderful plans to fix my FREEZING refridgerator were sidetracked this weekend when both of my toilets got jealous of all the attention my kitchen's been getting decided to make a fuss.
Background story - two years ago I noticed a "drip, drip, drip" coming from one of my toilets. When I turned the water off and checked the tank 2 hours later, I found it completely empty. Which, in case you didn't get the connection, means it's dumping 5+ gallons of water every couple of hours. If you live in Leesburg you know that this is an EXPENSIVE leak! I'm talking $300/month expensive.
I immediately checked all the other toilets which were also leaking, replaced all the flappers, and decided to continue to check the toilets every six months. (If you don't currently do this, I recommend you do it RIGHT NOW - your tank can easily be leaking and you'd really never know unless you tested it out).
My basement toilet has been a pain in my side because I replaced the flapper 5 times and it would never stop leaking. I finally gave up (I know - this is not like me) and just turned the water off and left a note on the tank reading, "Please turn the water on to flush, then turn off when you are done." Since hardly anyone ever uses that toilet, it was an okay fix . . . except it's been gnawing at me.
So yesterday, when I checked the upstairs toilets and found them leaking again, I was . . . let's just say "angry." It was my 8 hours without the kids, so of course I was happy to spend it in Home Depot and fixing my toilets. (sarcasm)
But, whatever, it had to be done.
So here are my tips if you decide you need to do this.
1. Start by replacing the flapper only. You can buy these for about $3. Test afteraward by turning the water off and checking the tank in the morning. If your tank is still full - you're good. Check again in 6 months. (Or whenever you feel neurotic like me).
NOTE: If you are allergic to rubber like I am I recommend wearing (non-rubber) gloves. Actually, even if you're not allergic I recommend wearing gloves. This is yucky.
2. If after replacing the flapper, your tank is still leaking, get the 5 Minute Fix. Costs about $7
3. Instructions say to empty the tank and dry it out with a hair dryer. WHAT??? Even after letting all the water out, there was still about 2" of water in the bottom that would not go down on it's own. I had to sop it up with a TON of toilet paper (don't flush this all at once after you get your flapper fixed or you'll have other issues). But I suppose you could use towels if you're not grossed out by washing towels that have been soaked in toilet tank water.
NOTE: The black rubber sealers around the screws in the tank will VERY likely be in some state of "rot" meaning the instant you touch them with ANYTHING they will leak out pitch blank inky water (much like a squid) that will pretty much stain anything. So don't do this while wearing church clothes like I did.
4. DO make sure that you use the hair dryer to THOROUGHLY dry out the plastic flapper hole after you've gotten the water out of the tank. The instructions remind you of this too, but it is important because if there's any water there, the seal puddy will not stick and you'll have wasted all your time and have to start over (THANK HEAVEN I trusted the intsructions on this one)
NOTE: You can see from my pictures that there was still a bit of water left in the tank. I was okay with that because it wasn't anywhere near the level of where I was attaching the puddy ring. That part was totally dry.
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| Sealant Puddy (included with kit) |
5. Press on the puddy ring lightly. Press on the new gasket and flapper and press firmly.
NOTE: mine was on an angle - there are instructions on how to line up the hinge of the flapper - make sure you follow them.
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| New Gasket and Flapper Installed |
Good luck!
And you'll just have to stay tuned for my refridgerator repairs - I'll save that for next week.
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