Skip to main content

How to Replace a Toilet Flapper

Follow our step-by-step instructions for replacing a toilet valve

Holly Traffas
Holly Traffas
Toilet graphic showing inside where the toilet flapper is.

A toilet flapper is the rubber device in your toilet tank that seals water in the tank and allows it to exit the tank when you flush. If your toilet is running for longer than usual after a flush, the toilet flapper probably needs to be replaced.

Step 1

Water valve that shuts off water supply to the toilet.

Turn off the water supply.

Step 2

Hand holding down the toilet lever to drain water from tank.

Drain water from the tank by holding down the toilet lever.

Step 3

Person pulling chain from lever arm in the tank.

Pull the chain from the lever arm.

Step 4

Disconnecting flapper hinges form fill tube, removing old flapper.

Disconnect the flapper hinges from the fill tube, and remove the old flapper.

Step 5

New flapper installed and new flapper hinges connected to the fill tube.

Install the new flapper. Start by connecting the new flapper hinges to the fill tube.

Step 6

New universal valve being assembled.

Assemble the new universal valve. Make any necessary adjustments to the new valve.

Shop Products

Duo Flush Dual Flush Converter Valve
Starting at $42.25
Available in 1 Finish
Trinsic Side Tank Lever
Starting at $37.31
Available in 5 Finishes
Bull's Eye Flapper (Pack of 10)
Starting at $29.52
Available in 1 Finish
Flush Valve Kit
Starting at $28.06
Available in 1 Finish
Universal Slow Close Elongated Toilet Seat and Lid
Starting at $37.95
Available in 1 Finish
Starting at $31.05
Available in 3 Finishes
Tempered Wall Mounted Pivoting Toilet Paper Holder
Starting at $38.06
Available in 5 Finishes
Elate Wall Mounted Euro Toilet Paper Holder
Starting at $28.50
Available in 4 Finishes
Veil Elongated Wall Hung Toilet with Actuator Plate - Less In-Wall Plate
Starting at $5,550.00
Available in 1 Finish