Gerber toilets aren’t only for sanitation; they are also supposed to be a place to forget all headaches. But this very place can also give you a headache. Yes, I’m talking about the running Gerber toilet problem.
Woah! Hold on a second. Don’t just call your plumber yet. What if you could fix that problem all by yourself? I’m talking about Gerber toilet flapper replacement. Yes! Replacing the flapper will solve your problem.
So, how do you do it? Don’t worry because I’ll show you how to replace the flapper. Without further ado, let’s start.
How to Replace Gerber Toilet Flapper
Replacing a Gerber toilet flapper is way easier than you think. Here’s how you can do it yourself without any professional help:
Step 1 – Preparing the Toilet
Before you start the replacement, you have to first open the toilet tank’s lid. Keep the lid in a safe place. After that, empty the toilet tank until there’s only 1 inch of water left. You can also completely drain out the water tank.
Step 2 – Removing the Old Flapper
This step is quite easy to do. Locate the flapper once the water is drained out from the toilet tank. It should be right beneath the overflow tube. If you are not sure which one is the overflow tube, look for a pipe that’s standing upright.
Now all you have to do is remove the old worn-out flapper from the right tab of the overflow tube and then the left tab of the overflow tube. Yes, you need to remove the flapper from both tabs.
You’ll also have to remove the flapper chain from the toilet handle arm. Press the chain, and it should come off easily. That’s all, now pull out the old flapper.
Step 3 – Cleaning the Tank and the Flush Valve
When taking out the old flapper, take a look at it. You’ll see lots of brown stuff on it. That’s bacteria that eats the flapper and causes the leaks. So, before you install a new flapper, you have to completely get rid of this brown stuff from your toilet tank.
Start with cleaning the flush valve. The valve is located right beneath the flapper. Take a wet sponge and take out as much bacteria as you can. You can also take a water spray hose and blast out all the bacteria.
Run your finger through the flush valve. See if the flush valve is smooth. Because if it’s not smooth, the new flapper won’t sit properly and create a good seal. Once you clean the tank and the flush valve, move to the next step.
You may also read the article on: 14 Different Types of Toilet Flushing Systems You Must Know About
Step 4 – Installing the New Flapper
This step is also very easy and straightforward. Removing and installing a flapper is the same. Take the flapper and put it on the flush valve seat. Now you’ll see two holes on each side of the flapper.
Put those holes inside the overflow tube tabs. Ensure the flapper is aligned with the flush valve properly, or the running toilet problem won’t be solved.
After installing the new flapper, you have to attach the chain to the toilet handle arm. This one is a bit tricky as you have to accurately adjust the chain length. Cut the chain to match the height of the arm. Spare half inches so that the chain is not too tight.
Now fill the toilet tank with water, and use the flush handle to check whether the flush is working perfectly. If you follow everything accurately, your toilet should act normal now.
What Size Flapper Does Gerber Toilet Use?
As Gerber toilets have super fast and efficient flushing systems, they use 3-inch flush valves. And we all know that the flapper size and the flush valve size are generally the same.
So yes, when it comes to the Gerber toilet flapper size, it’s also 3 inches. If you’re still not convinced, you can specifically check the size of the flapper using your toilet’s model number.
How Do I Know What Flapper to Buy for My Toilet?
To find out what flapper you have to buy for your toilet, you’ll have to check the size of your flush valve. You can manually check it by removing the tank lid and measuring the flush valve with a ruler, or you can search your toilet’s model number on the internet to find the flush valve size.
Once you know the size of your flush valve, buy any flapper matching the size. For example, if you have a 3-inch flush valve, buy a 3-inch flapper.
The Best Gerber Toilet Flapper in the Market?
The iFearClear Blue 3 inch toilet flapper is the best Gerber toilet flapper. Why? Let me explain.
Compatibility
What’s the use of buying a new toilet flapper if it does not fit your Gerber toilet? The iFearClear blue toilet flapper is compatible with almost all Gerber toilets. To be more precise, this flapper is ideal for Gerber 99-788 models.
Build Quality
The iFearClear toilet flapper is specialized flexible rubber with a built-in microban. It won’t bend or break as it’s a rubber, giving you a long-lasting seal.
So, what’s the microban for? Remember that I told you brown bacteria eats the flapper after a long usage time? Microban protects your flapper from this bacteria, ensuring a long-lasting lifespan.
Installation
The iFearClear toilet blue flapper is one of the easiest to install flappers on the market as of now. You can install it within a few minutes (maximum 3 minutes) without any help from professionals.
Final Words
The next time you have a running Gerber toilet issue, don’t call any plumber or professionals and give them tons of money because you can fix that problem yourself.
This guide of mine won’t only teach you the Gerber toilet flapper replacement process but also help you choose the right flapper. You will become somewhat of a professional yourself.
