Once upon a time it was just a toilet with seating options from regular height to comfort height. Then in 1992, the federal government added to the mix by mandating the use of low-flow toilet tanks to save water. The law recommended cutting the gallons per flow (gpf) from the standard 3.5 gallons to 1.6 gals and ever since then toilets have undergone technological innovations to meet a standard of water efficiency.
Power flush and flapperless are the new buzz words in toilets these days.
As with cars that morphed into complicated machines from simple under-the-hood assemblies a confident Hank Hill could handle, toilets are getting fancy innards under the lid.
When it comes to toilets, I’ve always advocated empowering yourself by lifting the lid before there is trouble and getting familiar with what’s there. Maintenance and repair was typically a no-brainer. But now, I don’t know. Lift the lid on the toilet tank and you’ll find a black box or a water trough staring back at you. What’s that all about?
The parts seem to dare you to touch them and though the toilets come with DIY maintenance information the fix is likely to cost quite a bit more in time and parts than the simple $2 flapper or $15 full assembly change out.
In the power flush model there is no ballcock and flapper assembly like that found in more familiar toilet models. The technology uses less water and with more force and compressed air in the reservoir to push water to its destination. It’s not fun to look at.
If there is a problem, calling a plumber for the fix may not be the most effective thing you can do. You may be better off reading the instructions and or contacting the manufacturer to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem yourself.
Though around for a few years, the technology is still in such infancy that many neighborhood plumbers are not likely to know any more than you about how to make the repair but you’ll be paying for the lesson they will be getting at your house. So, you may as well pay yourself.
The flapperless model also is an attempt to reduce water usage. Inside the tank is a trough that tips over and dumps the resting water when the trip handle is activated. The idea is there’s no standing water to seep through a defective flapper.
To these innovations as they are today, I say don’t give up the flapper. Get to know your toilet. It is one of the most actively used appliances in the home and its parts will eventually wear out. Rather than run out to buy the latest-greatest toilet replacement learn to take care of the one you have.
You can get ahead of water waste by periodically checking to see the toilet is not silently leaking water. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank. If the water in the toilet bowl changes color then you know the flapper is not seated securely in the valve seat and needs to be replaced.
That’s about two bucks, not counting the coloring.
To replace the flapper:
- Turn off the water to the toilet
- Flush
- Dry up as much of the water as possible with a towel
- Clean off the valve seat with a paper towel or sponge
- With a flapper valve, unhook its chain from the trip lever, noting into which hole the chain is hooked. Note: Some flapper valves fit over the overflow tube; slide it off.
- Remove the flapper and take it to the hardware store for a similar replacement
- Replace; restore the water
