If you press the handle of the toilet on the toilet and nothing happens, you have a problem with your toilet chain. The handle on the outside of the toilet tank is connected to a discharge rod that rises in response to the action of the handle. When this rod lifts, pulls a chain. Attached to the other end of the chain is the odorless fin. When the chain raises the fin, it allows the water inside the tank to escape and discharge. Repair of the chain in the toilet tank is a relatively simple operation.
American Standard 3191.016.222 Colony FitRight Right Height Elongated Toilet Bowl, Linen (Bowl Only)
Instructions
1 Close the water supply for the toilet that contains the chain you want to repair. The toilet supply valve is located on the wall behind the toilet. You should see a hose or tube that goes from the supply valve to the toilet tank. Turn the knob on the end of the water supply valve to the right to close the water.
2 Lift the lid of the toilet tank. Locate the toilet flap, which is the rubber stopper on the bottom of the tank. Normally, when the discharge lever is pressed, this raises the fin and allows the water to rotate out of the tank. This, however, will not be the case if the chain needs to be repaired. Reach your hand in the tank - do not worry, the water is treated - and grab the fin with your hand. Pull the tongue and allow the water inside the tank to escape.
3 Examine the chain and determine where the break occurs. A break in the middle of the chain can be repaired by reattaching the two halves of the chain back together with a piece of wire. If the break occurs, either in the discharge lever or the trap, replace these links as necessary, either with cable or by adding a replacement link. You can buy chain replacement links that slide over the flap or the dipstick as a car key ring.
4 Press the discharge handle and check that the chain opens and closes the flap when operating. Press the flap down on the flap opening at the base of the tank.
5 Restore the water supply by turning the water supply knob clockwise. Let the tank fill up.
6 Pull the chain and see the flap and chain. Make sure it works properly with the full tank. Replace the tank lid.
Tips and warnings
- Some of the hardware stores sell toilet chain repair kits that have many of the replacement parts you need.
- If the chain breaks in the middle, this repair is a good temporary solution. However, the chain must be replaced as soon as possible.