Mr. Fix-It advice needed!!

[elizabeth1979]

One of my toilets in my house..the handle barely works..its like I push the handle down and have to push it really hard or it wont flush.. It almost feels like one of these times its just going to snap.

Does anyone know what this means and if its a handle thing or inside? I looked in the tank and the chain that goes from the handle to the suction cup thing on the bottom of the tank, looks fine.

Im a woman and not a handy one, so anyone know what I should do? I hate going to Home Depot and those stores without some knowledge of what is wrong. They alway t ry and sell me thousands of $$ worth of stuff I dont need, bc I dont know any better!


Thanks!!

[cece1960]

Hi There!
I'm no Mr. Fix it but I do tend to be a "Ms. I can do it myself!"
Have you looked at what happens with the back off when you push the handle down? Generally you can tell what hanging things up and sometimes its a simple as residue build up.
Worse case is replacing the whole set up in back, which believe it or not is pretty easy. They're so cheap now a days the break pretty often.
Take a look and then at least you can better describe the problem.
Good luck!

[leeside]

I think all you need do is shorten the chain length. Clean the stopper while your at it.

[elizabeth1979]

WOOOHOO!!!

Now, is the stopper what Im referring to as the

suction cup thing on the bottom of the tank

?

back off

Im afraid Im not sure what that is Cece!

I think all you need do is shorten the chain length

I assume I can take the chain into the store and just buy one that is shorter, and short enough to get more, uh, pull from the stopper?

Ohhh, Im learning new things every day!!! I too will be a ms. I can do it myself one day!!

[PaperDolls]

Yep - the suction cup thing is the stopper.

You should be able to just shorten the chain yourself -- no need to buy a new one.

Back off -- not sure exactly what's meant there.

Good luck girlfriend!

[Sober_John]

Originally Posted by elizabeth1979

WOOOHOO!!!

Now, is the stopper what Im referring to as the suction cup?

YES!

Originally Posted by elizabeth1979

Im afraid Im not sure what back cover is Cece!

That person wants you to take the cover off the tank and look in side while you are pressing on the handle.

Originally Posted by elizabeth1979

I assume I can take the chain into the store and just buy one that is shorter, and short enough to get more, uh, pull from the stopper?

First look at what it is doing. I never known a chain to stretch it. The chain might of went through
a hoop of some sort to aviod coming into contact with the other parts.

Originally Posted by elizabeth1979

Ohhh, Im learning new things every day!!! I too will be a ms. I can do it myself one day!!

Just remember you can never learn too much. I hope this helps if you need more input just holla.
SoberJohn

[Astro]

Hi Elizabeth. I happen to be a former plumber and sell plumbing fixtures for a living now. If you're having to push down hard on the trip lever (what you're calling the handle) it needs to be replaced. Remember that if you try to take the old one out, the nut that holds it on has reverse threads. Turn it left to tighten, right to loosen. You might as well replace the flapper (suction cup) while you're in there. It should unsnap pretty easily. The new flapper will come with a chain attached, and when you connect it to the trip lever don't have too much slack in the chain. The chain shouldn't be tight either or the flapper will leak.

So, are you thoroughly confused now??;-)

[elizabeth1979]

OK!! So, Ill go buy a replacement trip lever and NOT use the lefty loosy right tighty saying, but the opposite- bc the trip lever on a toilet has reverse threads.
While at the store Ill pick up a new flapper (complete with chain attached) and put thay in being careful to not have too much slack (This term Im familiar with)

I AM SOOOOO on board!! Pardon the typing in caps, but you know I dont have my smilies so, Im improvising.

Oh, SoberJohn, I do love the word holla!!!!!!!...My friends make fun of me when I say it though. I try to be hip and do what the cool kids are doing you know..oh shoo, no I dont do that anymore...thats how I got here...trying to fit in..sigh (Here is where I would use the wink smiley)

Ok, I will report in tonight and let all know how awesome my toilet works after I fix it!!

You are all great, thanks much!!!

[brians]

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homem...diagtoilet.php


http://www.fixatoilet.com/

[elizabeth1979]

I didnt get to the toilet last night...got distracted with stepwork and rearranging photos and talking on the phone...but, tonight, Im on it!

Brian, I did look at that link, and MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!!!!!!!