American Standard toilets are worth considering during your toilet shopping owing to their durable and ergonomic designs, reliable performance, and broad style choice. However, American Standard toilet flapper problems form part of the underlying issues you will have to confront.
Flapper problems can crop up from the chain being too long or too slack or the flapper tipping back beyond the limit, where it can fall back and allow your toilet to refill. A worn-out and leaking flapper is also a problem worth mentioning.
A malfunctioning flapper can cause your American Standard toilet to continue flushing, so it’s best to fix it as soon as you notice the problem. Fortunately, these issues are easy to solve, and you can DIY most of them, so you do not need to spend money on a professional plumber.
This post provides a comprehensive guide to American Standard Toilet Flapper Problems with possible causes and solutions. So, keep reading to find out more.
American Standard Toilet Flapper Problems And Possible Fixes
| Problem | Possible Cause | Recommended Solution | |
| 1. | Flapper wearing out | Excessive and prolonged usage | Replace the worn-out flapper with a new one |
| 2. | Issues with the flapper chain | The chain is too tight or too loose | Adjust the length of the flapper chain |
| 3. | Flapper leaking | Old flapper or debris accumulation | Replace the flapper |
| 4. | The flapper is closing too soon | Excess slack in the chain connecting the flapper to the flush lever | Adjust the flapper chain |
One of the signs of a faulty flapper is when the toilet bowl runs, and the only way to stop it is by jiggling the handle. A defective flapper will also rub off or fall apart with a simple touch.
Additionally, check out for a torn eyelet hole (where the flapper chain attaches to the flapper).
1. American Standard Toilet Leaking Flapper
A flapper is a piece of rubber resting on top of the toilet flush valve. It can have problems, such as spilling water from the toilet tank into the bowl, causing the toilet to flush indefinitely even when no one is using it.
Fix
Replace the leaking flapper.
2. Flapper Wearing Out
An American Standard toilet flapper will wear out eventually, meaning it will not seal the hole properly, so you must replace it rather than keep the deformed and old flapper intact. A worn-out flapper often gets unbalanced and can cause flushing problems.
Fix
- Run a couple of rounds of solder wire around the flapper’s neck to provide weight. It will restore equilibrium and prevent it from becoming stuck.
- Some flush valves incorporate plastic hinge ends into which the flapper snaps. Take extreme caution when removing the flapper.
3. Issues with The Flapper Chain
Another problem with the American Standard toilet flapper is the tightness of the flapper chain. If the chain is excessively tight or attaches to another portion of the toilet tank, it can dislodge the flapper, causing the toilet to run continually.
Additionally, the chain should not be too long since it might get caught in the flapper hole and prevent it from closing correctly. The toilet will once again be running continually.
Fix
- First and foremost, determine the size of the toilet flapper chain. You must readjust the size if it is too slack or too long.
- Replace the chain around the toilet opening. You must locate an ideal hole that is neither too near nor too far away from the flush lever.
- Check that the chain has about 1/w inch of slack.
NOTE: If your flapper chain is okay, the problem might be with the flapper itself. To fix the toilet problem, contact a plumber to get it repaired or replaced.
4. Debris and Dirt Buildup
Sometimes, the accumulation of dirt and debris on the flapper prevents the flush seal from functioning correctly.
Fix
Clean the flapper to get rid of debris, dirt, and mineral buildup and restore the flapper’s functionality. However, before cleaning, shut off the water supply to the toilet tank and flush the toilet. In addition, wear rubber gloves and scrub the flapper using a scouring pad or an old toothbrush.
5. The Flapper Is Closing Too Soon
This problem stems from excessive slack in the chain linking the flapper to the flush lever. Too much hanging in the chain prevents the flapper from getting to the required level.
The flapper then stops sufficient water from flowing into the flush lever, closes prematurely, and stops the flush.
Fix
- Check that the chain is just 1/4 inch loose after detaching the toilet tank cover.
- Change the water level in the tank.
- Place three arms’ lengths of toilet tissue in the water in the toilet bowl.
- Flush your toilet.
- Ensure there are no bends in the chain before closing the clip and cutting off the extra chain.
Why Does My American Standard Toilet Run Intermittently?
You may occasionally hear your American Standard toilet refill on its own as if someone flushed it. A “phantom flush” occurs when a toilet switches on and off on its own or runs sporadically, and you can trace it to a faulty flapper.
You will also notice a gradual leak from the toilet tank into the bowl.
Fix
- Drain the bowl and the tank.
- Examine and clean the flapper seat before replacing your flapper if it is worn or broken.
Why Does My American Standard Toilet Keep Randomly Filling?
A fractured toilet flapper, or a stuck flapper chain, is likely to blame if your toilet runs for a few seconds at irregular intervals and drains without flushing.
A broken or deteriorated flapper will enable water to keep streaming through, even though it should drop and seal the toilet tank once enough water passes. The flapper seals the tank so that when it lifts, water enters the toilet bowl.
If there’s a problem with the flapper, consider replacing it using the procedure outlined in this post; otherwise, check whether the flapper chain is trapped.
Problems with the chain might cause the water in your American Standard to run continually. For instance, if the chain is excessively long or on an incorrect link, it may become entangled beneath the flapper and impede it from sealing.
Moreover, the flapper chain cannot seal if it’s too short.
American Standard Toilet Flapper Replacement
To replace a faulty American Standard toilet flapper (View on Amazon) you need the following:
- New flapper valve
- Sponge
- Towels
- Silicone grease
- Pliers
- Wrench
- Plumber’s tape
After assembling your tools, follow the procedure below to replace the flapper:
- Take off the tank’s lid. For approximately a minute, pressure your palm firmly against the flapper.
- Replace the flapper if your toilet stops flushing because it is the cause of the problem. If not, the issue is with the fill valve.
- Stop the water supply to your toilet at the water supply valve behind the unit. Do this by rotating the knob clockwise.
- Flush your toilet and hold the lever down until the water drains out.
- Remove the flapper chain’s hook from the handle lever.
- Remove the flapper ends from the overflow tube mounting.
- Flip the new flapper, so it faces downward, and coat its lip with a thin layer of silicone grease.
- Turn the new flapper right side up while putting some pressure on it to secure it in the mounting via the overflow tube. Do this until you hear it click into place.
- Attach the opposite end of the flapper chain to the flush valve lever.
- Restore the water supply and give the tank time to fill.
- Flush and double-check your effort.
How To Adjust Flapper on American Standard Toilet
- Start by examining the length of the flapper chain. Ensure that it is not too tight or too loose.
- If the chain needs adjustment, remove it and attach it to a slot closer or farther from the flush lever. There should be around 12 inches of slack in the chain.
Final Thoughts on American Standard Toilet Flapper Problems
American Standard toilet flapper problems include leaking, wearing out, flapper closing too soon, issues with the flapper chain, and debris buildup. If these issues go unchecked, they will plague your toilet with more severe problems, like the toilet running intermittently and the toilet not flushing properly, among others.
Consequently, this post comes in handy to help you troubleshoot different American Standard toilet flapper problems, restore normal operations, and make your toilet serve you for many years to come.
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