Fix a Toilet Tank Flapper?
 

Our toilet is so old that the flapper at the bottom doesn't make a good seal with the downpipe. This causes the seal to leak, which causes the tank to fill continuously because the floatswitch can't rise high enough to turn it off.

Are all flappers alike or am I going to have to bring the old flapper in to make sure I'm getting the right piece? How do I go about installing the new one?

If the toilet is as old as you say it is, it may be a better idea to replace the entire assembly inside the tank. I would bring the old flapper into the hardware store with you, and if you have trouble finding the right one, just buy a kit and replace it all. If you can use a wrench it's not that difficult. It'll come with step by step instructions on how to replace it.

And while you have the water off and the tank empty, clean around the opening real well to make sure the new flapper will make a good seal.

Good luck to ya.

And don't bite your finger nails for a while after the repair.

<just feel like being a wiesenheimer :)>

I usually replace the fill valve and the flush assembly on old toilets. These are all the wear items in a toilet. The porcelin will last forever unless someone cracks it.
I have several rental houses. It easier to start with all new parts than go fix a toilet at some inconvenient time. The flappers do need to be replaced every few yrs, depending on the quality of your water supply.

Most flappers are adjustable and can be configured for most any toilet. If you take yours off first, make a note of how it was placed.

just do the poor goober at the hardware store a favor. Don't thrust your toilet parts into his hands and tell him to find a match for you. YOU handle your damn toilet parts! ;)

-Shakran, who once spent several years working for a hardware store.

Well, I purchased a new flapper and installed in in about three seconds. The toilet is amazingly fixed! No more running! And a plumber would have charged me 50 bones to do that!

also if you have hard water, deposits build up on the lip where the flapper seats. Steel wool takes care of that