So recently I’ve noticed that one of my toilets is refilling its tank at seemingly random times. I know, this is the classic symptom of a bad flapper. But… I already replaced the flapper in that toilet not that long ago. I mean, it was a few years ago, but I would expect the flapper to last longer than that. The first one was probably the original one that came with the toilet, and it didn’t need replacing for decades. Are the replacement flappers from the hardware store just that much worse than the OEM ones? Did I just get a bad one? Or, I have been using bleach tablets like these in the toilet tank (I had problem with some sort of algae or algae-like stuff growing inside the tank, so after cleaning the tank I started using them to prevent it from growing back). Could those be causing the rubber to deteriorate faster?
This is my experience. Seemed to greatly increase the rate at which the rubber gets brittle and makes a poor seal. I stopped using the tablets and it seems more normal now.
Not all flappers are created equal. I think I had good luck with Korky, not so much with Fluidmaster. But no, they don’t last all that long.
No to the bleach.
Yes to Korky flapper valves:
Job done.
The bleach will degrade the rubber components, which means more leaks. I heard one plumber say how much he loves those bleach tablets since they create so much work for him. Instead of putting bleach in the tank, get one of those bleach blocks that hangs over the rim. That way the bleach is just in the bowl and not in the tank.
Fluidmaster sells a chlorine-resistant heavy-duty flapper: PRO54 Chlorine Resistant Heavy Duty Flapper - Fluidmaster
But even there, it says:
DO NOT USE IN-TANK DROP-IN TOILET BOWL CLEANERS CONTAINING BLEACH OR CHLORINE. USE OF SUCH PRODUCTS WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE TO TANK COMPONENTS AND MAY CAUSE FLOODING AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. USE OF SUCH PRODUCTS WILL VOID THIS WARRANTY. Instead, we recommend using Flush ‘n Sparkle® automatic toilet bowl cleaner.
It probably also depends on how often that particular toilet is used, and possibly the hardness of your water. The most often used toilet in this house is the downstairs powder room, and I recently replaced the flapper on that one because it had been leaking for months. The other two are fine and are still the originals from when the house was built some ~12 or so years ago.
Despite my whining about it in the Pit mini-rants thread, it was actually pretty easy to replace. The trick is to adjust the chain length(s) correctly. If it’s the type with a float that holds the flapper open until most of the water runs out of the tank, there are two chain lengths that have to be properly adjusted. I happened to have a spool of bare copper wire which was useful for that purpose.
Note that flappers come in two standard sizes. Make sure you get the right one.
The trouble is that OP wanted bleach in the tank to prevent algae growth.
Why not vinegar?
If the seal the flapper is resting against is a bit worn, that makes the life expectancy of a flapper even shorter.
There’s, of course, YouTube videos showing you how to check the seal, etc. In principle, you could sand it to smooth it out if it’s slightly rough. Replacement is often a pain requiring taking the tank off. Putting it back can easily cause a crack in the porcelain which is double plus ungood.
In answer to the OP, I would expect a flapper to last around 15 - 20 years at least.
I wonder if a plumber invented them? And those “flushable” wipes.
Porcelain isn’t the easiest thing in the world to smooth with common DIY stuff. Before I went that route, I might be inclined to address a rough drain hole perimeter with a skim coat of an appropriate epoxy …
I’d probably either brush it on or apply it with a gloved finger. Shouldn’t take much.
The other old-school cheat is a wipe of Vaseline on the underside of the flapper, where it mates with the flush valve hole.
Or both.
But I’d be sure the two mating surfaces are clean first. A bit of debris could cause a poor seal.
Hopefully, the algae problem was a one-time oddity. It’s pretty unusual for tanks to have chronic algae problems. But if the water supply is from a well rather than treated municipal, then I could see that happening. If the algae keeps coming back, perhaps the tank water could be treated with something that kills algae without using chlorine. Maybe something from an aquarium supply store could work.
Other components that chlorine can degrade are the rubber washers at the bottom of the tank, seen here:
If these washers fail, the tank may drip water onto the floor. It’s not something you need to change proactively, but keep an eye for any leaks. These washers can fail normally with age, but they may age quicker from chlorine.
Yeah. I was thinking about that, but I simply don’t have any first-hand experience with products like this:
Probably very little downside in trying.
Good point about the other rubber washers, though.
When I bought my house it had toilets from 1960 that were original to the property. One was powder blue and one was yellow. I replaced them in 1996 or so with white ones.
Maybe a six months ago the master bath one that gets significantly more use had a flapper fail. It wasn’t the seal, one of the hinges wore out. I replaced it with a Fluidmaster. (Then two months ago the valve started to fail in the other one which l had to replace)
We have fairly hard water here but the components last for a long time. Around 30 years to failure for one and the other still going strong.
Yeah, based on the consensus in this thread, my plan of action is going to be: replace the flapper, stop using the bleach tablets, and hope the algae or bacteria or whatever organism was growing in the tank doesn’t come back.
I think a toilet flapper should continue to flap, perhaps with a towel, until the ordure odour has abated.
Agree and then some. Luckily the drain opening that the flapper presses against is plastic.
You’re right, of course.
For those who don’t know …
YouTube video with great cutaway shots of what’s going on and how to change a flush valve
[It also shows quite well the washers that @Filmore (great post/screen name combo, BTW) made reference to]
The flapper valve closes against a plastic part of the plastic flush valve. The flush valve attaches through the tank and has seals both on the inside (top side) and outside (underside) of the tank. Any of these seals can also be a source of leaks, as can a defect, debris, gouge, etc., in either the flapper valve or the seal that’s part of the flush valve.
At this point, I’m hopefully just adding to the general SDMB knowledge base as much as suggesting likely possible issues to the OP 