That leaky Flapper

Ma's comment brought to mind something I learned recently. Her comment was that she had a humungous water bill lately due to a leaky flapper in the commode tank.  Everyone at one time or the other has experienced a commode that caused excessive water use.

I discovered a replacement part by accident that can save you big if your commode were to keep running while you are on vacation or away for a long period of time.  When we bought the house in Deltona the commode needed rebuilding because of age.  I  purchased the parts. Never once thinking there was anything special about this filler valve.  I replaced the filler valve. Not the flapper yet.  The next day I went in to check the commode, flushed it and nothing happened for a few seconds. Then the tank began to fill. In a couple minutes it flushed normally.  

Later that day I used the commode and it would not flush, I quickly looked inside the tank and it was just beginning to fill. Ah, something is not right, a tank should stay full and ready to flush, not fill before flushing, we all know that. So I went to the trash to get the paperwork and packaging just in case I needed to return the valve.

I had not read the information on the valve. I have replaced probably 30-40 valves over the years.  Looking, I noticed these words, “This fill valve will not refill a leaky tank”. Then I ‘axed’ myself, “How do it KNOW?”

Now I was interested.  I READ the information and looked at the valve. It has two flush chains. One to open the flapper, the other to open the fill valve. SOOOO this sucker will never put water in the tank unless the flush handle is used. In other words, if your flapper is leaking, you will only lose one tank full.  If you are gone a week, you only lose ONE tank not thousands of gallons. If you come back from vacation and the commode does not flush at first, you will know you have a leaky flapper, and you have saved yourself some money.  I decided I like this.

Nite Shipslog
PS: Info on the valve.

Disclaimer: While I like the valve I just talked about, I cannot speak for everyone. I am a handy man and it works for me.  If you are not handy, ask your plumber about it when you get the commode worked on. Note: older plumbing can be tricky. 

 It sells for less than $15 Walmart/Lowes/Amazon and is a simple job.

Company info:

Help keep your toilet working correctly and more efficiently with the Fluidmaster Fill Valve 400LSRP4. It will automatically save water in two ways. This Pro45 fill valve prevents automatic refill of a leaky tank, which helps to alert you to a problem with your flapper. It will also only allow the right amount of water to be delivered to the bowl. Preventing too high of a refill to the bowl will reduce waste of water down the drain. This toilet tank fill valve will also help avoid too low of a fill, which can cause an improper flush or allow sewer gas to leak into a room. 

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 1056 Ford and matching Tear Drop