Toilet flush handle – have to HOLD it down

[MasterPlumbersKeymaster]

When flushing the upstairs toilet (an inexpensive Cranada), I have to hold the flush handle down for several seconds because the flapper falls back down as soon as I release the lever. I’ve tried every adjustment on the plastic chain, still no luck. Any ideas?
Thanks

[Retired plbg1Participant]

It should ajust with the chain shorter buy a new flapper and see if that works. Is that the flapper that came with toilet if not did you buy new one and get the wrong kind, kind of hard what to tell you unless you are there.

[RossParticipant]

I’ll buy a new flapper, as the original doesn’t seem to want to float long enough. Should be an inexpensive fix.
Thanks

[nicktheplumberParticipant]

Ross,

This is actually a fairly common problem with many of the newer 1.6 gallon toilets. Some really well-engineered brands, like the Toto, will flush fine with a simple flick of the flush lever, no matter what is in the bowl. Other brands will require the extra quart or two of water that you will get by holding the lever down for a couple of seconds as the flush is in progress, especially when you have a lot of TP and “stuff” in the bowl…

You seem to have learned the compensatory trick of holding down the lever to eek out enough H2O from the tank to make a good flush when more than the usual amount of waste needs to go down the drain.

You certainly might try adjusting the ball or flapper valve, but the real problem is that 1.6 gallon toilets are operating at the limits of their efficiency. Fortunately, it is possible, as you have discovered, to push the toilet to perform better by holding down the flush lever. I’ve been advising my clients to do the same if they have occasional problems with their 1.6 gallon flushers…

NtP

[Author]

Posts