XRe Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I have a toilet that manages to toast a flapper pretty often (like, yearly, or more frequently), and the other internals fairly often, as well. The other toilet in the house has had the flapper replaced maybe once in the 10 years we've lived in this house. I'm getting pretty damn tired of replacing parts in this toilet. Are there any toilet internals that don't completely suck? The el cheapo crap at Home Depot is driving me up the wall.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 (edited) Whats happening is the (ring) that the flapper seals to has a build up of calcium on it, and the flapper can not seal to a rough surface. The only way the flapper is bad is if it bleeds the black goop on to your hands when you touch it. Turn the water off -raise the flapper out of your way - and use your finger nail to scrape the seal area that the flapper seals to. You will most likely have a bunch of sandy crud in the bottom of the tank too = use an old rag and wipe that out too / or al least some of it. Do not use a metal tool to scrape the seal area under the flapper , maybe a plastic throw away knife would be ok . but with your finger an its nail = you will feel the crud / calcium breaking off the ring Edited January 10, 2011 by AlamoShooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I've had the same problem with "bargain" parts from Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Started using parts for toilets and faucets made by the original manufacturer and the life expectancy went up dramatically. One source I've used is http://www.lockeplumbing.com/ Good luck. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Post Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Ok, I'd like to find a GOOD chain to replace the one that pulls the flapper up. Mine just seem to fail after a month or two. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I would not use Fluidmaster in an outhouse (and there is no running water in there). They'll probably sue me for saying that, but it is true. There are Kohler labeled valves made by Fluidmaster as well. Totally avoid anything "Coast", they are bankrupt but there is still stock out there and they have the same poor materials. Don't use anything that is "Hush Pro" or "Fill Pro" anywhere in the labeling either. Hard water and Chlorine are common in domestic water supplies, and they degrade the material some manufacturer's use to make toilet trim. I use Korky and Toto parts quite a bit. The Brass Craft black and gold fill valve is very good. Mansfield makes an all metal ballcock valve that is very good as well, but like $50. Or you could try a Case for like $200. No, I am not a plumber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted January 10, 2011 Author Share Posted January 10, 2011 Jamie's idea was a good one, given our water around here. There was a small amount of buildup, but scraping it off didn't change anything, unfortunately. Next step... order more expensive parts, or find them locally, or something... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Find a local plumbing supply house (we have dozens of them around here) that typically sells to licensed plumbers, and spend a little more money. They don't sell the cheap stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 It sounds like you have only replaced the Flapper. so if cleaning the seal area for the flapper has not worked = move to the next step of removing the tank and replacing seal ring and flapper parts as a unit. yes the cheep stuff is crappy crap per parts. the tank is held on with two bolts that need to be loosened alternating so as not to put the tank in a bind and break it. Not a big deal if the wall shut-off actually shuts off the watter. = 1 in 4 will leak when you try to turn it off, and I have to -A turn off all the water to house, or B just put a low tray to catch the leaking watter while I am working. Most home owners are very hesitant to remove the tank- its not a big deal and very common. = put something soft on the floor to protect the floor and to keep from breaking the tank . the tank is kind of like an egg shell when it is off the toilet. = put the lid to the tank -Way out of the way so it will Not get steeped on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Man, the vast amounts of knowledge available here! Who'd have thunk! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Man, the vast amounts of knowledge available here! Who'd have thunk! Pat Working crappers can pay for my crappy shooting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted January 10, 2011 Author Share Posted January 10, 2011 yes the cheep stuff is crappy crap per parts. Oh, the puns! the tank is held on with two bolts Or three, in my case... I've done this at least twice on this toilet, now, unfortunately... Not a big deal if the wall shut-off actually shuts off the watter. Luckily, mine still does Most home owners are very hesitant to remove the tank- its not a big deal and very common. = put something soft on the floor to protect the floor and to keep from breaking the tank . the tank is kind of like an egg shell when it is off the toilet. = put the lid to the tank -Way out of the way so it will Not get steeped on. It's not a big deal to do - just a PITA, in the end. Unfortunately, it's not a name brand toilet, either, so it's "universal fit" toilets... I think I'll avoid the cheap parts, but replace everything in it, as you're suggesting... Just tired of jacking around with the thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) Well you are lucky. I think my average is one out of 50 that acts like the one that you have. You may want to consider an entirely new toilet. Edited January 11, 2011 by AlamoShooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Well, I'm kind of a plumber. I've done the plumbing in 30-40 houses, and my dad was a master plumber running his own business for 35 yers, and 10 years before he started his business, so close to 45 years in the business. Three of his brothers are plumbers, 2 of his uncles, and 4 of his nephews (my cousins). No, plumbing is not my profession, I learned early thast it is a nasty business. If you want quality toilet parts, you must pay for them. You really only have two choices...Kohler or American Standard. While Kohler is a good product most of the time, American Standard is a good product ALL of the time. There is a third choice, and it's not bad, but it's not either of those, Crane. It's like buying a press....Buy it once, cry once. Rip the old one out, got to Ferguson Plumbing supply (or your local Plumbing supply, Hughes, Gorman, etc) and buy an American Standard toilet. But, what you really want is a Bidet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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