Flapper
You might not give too much thought about the maintenance of your toilet, but it's important to change your flapper at least once a year. 

Check our list of flappers to find the right match for your toilet model. Settling for a one-size-fits all can quickly turn your water-efficient toilet into a water-waster.

Replacing Toilet Flapper

WARNING: Replacing a flapper is not a difficult process. However, if you do not feel comfortable performing the following steps, we recommend that you hire a licensed professional plumber to do the work for you.

STEP 1 – Turn off the water at the valve between the toilet and the wall. If there is no valve or if the valve is stuck, you will need to turn the water off to the house.

STEP 2 – Flush the water in the tank and note the length of the flapper chain as it is attached to the flushing handle. This will see you time when installing the new flapper.

STEP 3 – Remove the old flapper.

STEP 4 – Write down the manufacturer and model of the toilet if you know it. The name of the manufacturer is often stamped on top of the bowl where the seat hinges are located or inside the tank. Also not if the toilet is a 1.6 gpf (gallon per flush). If there is no visible stamp designating the toilet as a 1.6 gpf, look for the date of manufacture inside the tank. If the year of manufacture is prior to 1992, it is most likely not a 1.6 gpf toilet.

STEP 5 – Take the old flapper and the information you noted to a plumbing supply store that specializes in carrying replacement flappers.

STEP 6 – Show the store personnel the flapper and information you have on the toilet. If it is a 1.6 gpf toilet, be sure you let them know that you want to keep the flush at 1.6 gpf. If the store representative tells you that all flappers are the same, find another store!

STEP 7 – Be prepared to pay $2 to $10 for the correct flapper. However, it will save you much more in the long run. Make sure you purchase the right flapper for your toilet. Installing the wrong flapper or a generic flapper could cause your toilet to use much more water than is necessary. The following tables list many of the most popular brands and models of toilet and their corresponding flappers.

STEP 8 – Once you have the correct flapper, install it on the toilet, adjusting the chain as it was before you removed the old flapper. Turn on the water and perform a test flush. Make water level and chain adjustments if needed.