How do you fix a toilet that you have to hold the handle down to flush?

Question

we replaced the flapper part on two of our toilets b/c they were running but now on both you have to hold the handle down. it drives me nuts to sit there and hold it while my husband says it's fixed b/c it's not running anymore. i've tried fiddling with the chain and the different holes to change the length but no dice. help!!!

Answer 1

Remove the tank lid and flush. watch the flapper and see if it stays up until most of the water has exited the tank. I hope the flappers were installed properly. New ones come with a loop that goes over the overflow tube. If the toilet was made for the type that has "ears" on each side of the overflow tube, you need to remove the ring and just use the ears to connect it on the back side of the tube.

Answer 2

You might have to adjust your chain tighter.

Answer 3

Is this a low-flow toilet?  One of the water saver ones?  Those can be a pain in the butt sometimes.

You probably didn't need to replace the flappers at all.  An adjustment of the ball and where the water level is.  That generally stops long running problems, and it only takes a minute of your time and a quick turn of a s***w.

But, since that's not the problem now, you need to figure out what is!  

Is the water entering the bowl fast enough?  If you just flush and let go of the handle, does the waste all go bubbye, or is most of it hanging around?

Remove the tank cover and observe the action of the flush valve as you turn the handle. When you let go of the handle, does the valve stay open long enough for most all of the water to leave the tank?

If the flush ball or flapper is closing too fast, consider replacing the ball or flapper, and make sure the chain in just long enough for the ball or flapper to close, if it is too long the valve won't open far enough and stay open long enough to allow all the water to leave the tank.

Another thing to check, are the rim or jet holes.    Foreign objects can get into the rim of the bowl or jet channel to clog them. Use a small hand mirror to examine the rim holes as you flush the toilet to see how much water can enter the bowl through the holes. The holes can get clogged with mineral deposits from the water. The rim can also get clogged with something from the inside the tank that has gotten into the rim channel. I have heard of such things as the labels from the toilet tank deodorizer bottles clogging the holes and gauze from bandages; it's anyone's guess why gauze would be in a tank.  I've heard that nursing homes have a problem with some residents "hiding" all sorts of things in the toilet tanks.

You sometimes find that kids hide things in there too!

When all else fails, you may want to check the main vent line.  You can eliminate a clogged drain/vent as the problem with this simple test: Pour a decent size pot of water (or a garbage can full - which is what I have used) rather quickly into the bowl. If the sudden addition of the extra water causes a 'normal' flush, then the drain/vent in probably OK.

If you don't get a normal flush after this test, you will need to run a snake through the vent from the roof. The vent is the short pipe you will find on your roof directly above the toilets in your house. This job requires a large snake and climbing up on your roof which can be very dangerous. This job is best left to professionals who have the proper equipment and experience.

I suggest that you look into the venting specifically because you mentioned both toilets having this problem.  

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Here is some tips...

Answer 5

If there is a rubber ring around the fill pipe, and connected to the flap, you need to cut it.  The ring around the fill pipe does not allow the flapper to stay up(the inside has trapped air so it floats), and consequently pushes it back down.  Good luck!