toilet handle won t stay down

The lever is set at a slight angle inside the tank so that it can operate without scraping the tank side, the overflow tube or the intake valve. Fortunately, there are several things you can try to repair this problem. The handle nut is located inside of the tank and holds the handle onto the tank securely. If you decide to use a siphon and not towels or sponges to remove the leftover tank water, it is still suggested to have them nearby in case of a leakage. If you have an old valve that won’t turn, lubricate it with some WD-40. A loose chain can get stuck in the flapper, which causes your toilet to run. How to fix Kohler low flow toilet that won't flush unless you hold down the handle. Instead, ... so you won't have to fix it a 2nd time. When it’s time for replacement. Toilet flapper’s job is to open (to allow water into the bowl via flush valve inlet), and remain floating until the water level is lowered. 15 Posts . Many Flush Levers are made to fit specific mount positions, but there are now many Universal Flush Levers that can fit most toilets. Close the toilet seat cover. Fix Your Broken Toilet Handle. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If it doesn't, continue adjusting the paperclip location until the chain tightness is ideal. Also, make sure the water level is 5/8" below the overflow tube, the more water in the tank the better. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Press down on the toilet handle and make sure that the chain is tight enough. The flapper should start to rise before the handle is halfway down. The Flapper is the part covering the Flapper Valve near the bottom of the tank. If the chain is too short, on the other hand, the flapper lifts too high and doesn't drop back into position. Is my only recourse to buy a new seat and/or toilet? If you cannot flush the water with the Flush Handle, pull on the Flapper Chain or the Flapper to open the Flapper Valve and release the water. Push the handle to test the chain. Be gentle with the Flush Handle Nut, as its threading is reversed, and it is usually made of a softer plastic that is known to occasionally break or strip if you use a tool. The toilet in this bathroom won't flush properly unless you hold the handle down. A Clog in the Toilet, Flange or Drain. A flapper is simple, inexpensive and vital to the operation of a toilet, and it derives its name from the way it works. Well with several young children in my house, they were never going to be able to get it to flush each time. Move the tank lid with care, as they are quite expensive and can break easily. Another reason could be that the the rim holes and/or siphon jet are clogged by mineral deposits. It broke and so I replaced it with a Universal flapper made entirely of rubber. Consider getting a new toilet with increased tank and bowl outlets. Luckily, loose toilet handles are a very minor toilet problem and they’re quite easy to fix. The linkage pipes are most likely broken. The chain should bring the flapper high enough to stay open while the toilet flushes. ), the materials that make up the toilet handle … What do I adjust if the flapper closes too quickly and I have to hold the handle down to get a complete flush? (When you hit the trip lever, the arm should only move 1/4 inch before activation.) If the handle just won't go back down, adjust the … Check the information above in The Toilet Won't Stop Running and The Toilet Leaks. Since gummed up residue is one of the leading problems for handle issues, use a dry towel and clean all of the surfaces, including the threads. You'll have to try another handle. Inquiry Cart 0. Using too much toilet paper or flushing something that wasn’t meant to go down the drain can cause a clog, and the only way to get things flowing again is to clear it. I haven't touched anything inside there for years so I didn't … This move allows the water to rush into the tank. Remove the cover from your toilet tank and look down at the large opening in the bottom of the tank. I installed a new flapper and it doesn't stay open long enough. When your toilet seat won’t stay up and keeps slamming down, it can be startling and painful for users. I've changed the flapper but that isn't the problem. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you find yourself holding down the handle to get your toilet to flush completely, the toilet probably just needs a little flapper therapy. It is the load arm of the flush lever. Does it sound like I need a new flapper or could it be something else altogether? Once the tank is evacuated, the flapper falls back down sealing the opening to the tank. I could easily replace the toilet (or the mechanism inside), but I'm not sure if that problem is caused by the toilet, or the pipes (in which case, replacing the toilet won't do any good). First, note which link of the chain is attached to the handle arm. There will be some left in the bottom of the tank however, as the flapper valve is not on the floor of the tank. Luckily, loose toilet handles are a very minor toilet problem and they’re quite easy to fix. Plastic Trip Levers are generally not meant to be bent, so one that is bent may be in risk of breaking soon, and you should replace it now or have a replacement ready. As the water level is lowered, flapper is lowered at the same time, ultimately closing the inlet so that the water can be refilled. I am noticing that the flapper does not stay up unless the handle is being held down. This article has been viewed 73,220 times. If the toilet continues to run, this almost always occurs because this flapper does not fit properly into the flush valve opening. 4 ... Press down on the toilet handle and make sure that the chain is tight enough. Flush the toilet and observe whether the water in the tank empties completely, or whether you have to hold down the handle to allow it to empty. What should I do if the lever hits the top of the tank? Step 3 - Reconnect the Toilet Handle. Reattach the handle by tightening the inside nut. When flushing my toilet I have to hold the handle down until the flush is finished. Make sure the refill tube running from the fill valve is not inserted into the overflow tube. Before calling a plumber or attempting to replace the handle completely, try these tricks that might help you get it working again. The chain connecting the toilet flapper to the flush handle is the source of many flushing problems. Is there any washer or fitting to help? If your toilet won’t flush, most likely it is partially clogged, the water level in the tank is too low/empty, the flapper is warped/worn out, flush valve is cracked, lift chain is unhooked from the flapper or the handle is loose. When you press down on the toilet handle, chain that is attached to it pulls up a toilet flapper (a.k.a. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Your bathroom is probably already stocked with everything you'll need to work this magic. In order to do this, you must disconnect the mechanism which connects the handle to the flush valve. Most people will tell you that the water should be turned off first, but it is not necessary before you examine the Trip Lever, and it may be helpful to note how your flushes affect the water level before and after Flush Lever Nut adjustments. The chain may have just disconnected from the lever, from the flapper, or the lever or chain may have broken. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Adjust-Toilet-Tank-Handles-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Toilet-Tank-Handles-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Adjust-Toilet-Tank-Handles-Step-1.jpg\/aid5501996-v4-728px-Adjust-Toilet-Tank-Handles-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"