Toilet not retaining water January 17, 2018, 07:26:19 pm Just wondering if it's a big job to replace the seal?
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #1 – January 17, 2018, 07:53:10 pm Quote from: tedeboy - January 17, 2018, 07:26:19 pmJust wondering if it's a big job to replace the seal?We did our first toilet seal last year following advice from Ken Fears, Youtube, and the Lazy Daze Companion. Not a big job ... and please note that I'm all thumbs and mechanically inept. There's lots of on-line guidance. My only extra guidance is to be sure to tightened the band holding the top & bottom together and then after a few days of use, check it again. Within a few more hours, I'm sure you get much more guidance. 2 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #2 – January 17, 2018, 08:37:24 pm Before you replace the seal, you might want to try dosing the ball and seal with white vinegar and let it soak for a few hours; hopefully, enough vinegar will remain in the bowl to help dislodge any mineral 'encrustations'. (You might have to repeat the procedure.) If the vinegar treatment works, follow up by scrubbing the ball and seal (underneath and inside, too) thoroughly. Life in general can involve a lot of cleaning toilets! 2 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #3 – January 17, 2018, 08:49:21 pm Newer toilets have a seal easy to replace without removing the toilet.Older toilets you have to take off the entire toilet to get to the seal.You can check the manual / call the manufacturer to see how seals are replaced in your model. 1 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #4 – January 17, 2018, 10:39:17 pm Quote from: tedeboy - January 17, 2018, 07:26:19 pmJust wondering if it's a big job to replace the seal?The Lazy Daze Companion: toiletChris 1 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #5 – January 18, 2018, 11:11:34 am Quote from: Chris Horst - January 17, 2018, 10:39:17 pmThe Lazy Daze Companion: toiletChrisWow! Great explanation by Ken Fears. Thank you! This is a project I have been procrastinating on for quite a while. No excuse now for not tackling it. We have used the vinegar and scrub procedure periodically, but it no longer helps. Not surprising, given that we’re still on the original parts after 11 years! 😁 — Jon
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #6 – January 18, 2018, 11:27:29 am When our toilet ('04) wasn't holding water, I disassembled enough to get to the seal, but after removing it, I cleaned it rather than replacing. This involved mainly removing mineral deposits through gentle scraping and solvent, not only on the seal, but also on the ball valve, and re-assembled. It now does not leak at all. Having a spare seal might be a good idea, but unless you only use de-ionized water, buildups will happen over time.Steve
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #7 – January 18, 2018, 02:51:36 pm Quote from: Steve - January 18, 2018, 11:27:29 amWhen our toilet ('04) wasn't holding water, I disassembled enough to get to the seal, but after removing it, I cleaned it rather than replacing. This involved mainly removing mineral deposits through gentle scraping and solvent, not only on the seal, but also on the ball valve, and re-assembled. It now does not leak at all.This method works on many leaking toilets. It isn't that hard to remove the top of the toilet, to get at the seals.The build up of salts and crud in the ball valve often cause the valve to leak .Do flush the black water tank thoroughly before attempting this project.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #8 – January 18, 2018, 07:47:07 pm Something simple that has worked for me.Get a small , thin, emery board. Get it wet. Insert it between the seal and the ball and work it around a few times. It will remove a lot of the crud.If you don’t have an emery board, use fine grit sandpaper folded in half. Give it a try. Can’t hurt.Ed 1 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #9 – January 18, 2018, 08:22:26 pm Quote from: Ed 111 - January 18, 2018, 07:47:07 pmIf you don’t have an emery board, use fine grit sandpaper folded in half. Give it a try. Can’t hurt.EdI don't think I would recommend that - an abrasive could damage the smooth surface of the ball valve, preventing a perfect seal. It might seal better than before the procedure, but leak down over time. With careful scraping, the deposits will dislodge and come off, and the surfaces of both seal and ball will be intact. A small amount of water in the toilet , with the lid down, will still be there weeks later.As Larry indicated, the toilet disassembles very easily to the point needed to remove the seal and access the ball surface.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #10 – January 18, 2018, 11:08:31 pm Quote from: Steve - January 18, 2018, 08:22:26 pmI don't think I would recommend that - an abrasive could damage the smooth surface of the ball valve, preventing a perfect seal. It might seal better than before the procedure, but leak down over time.SteveYour experience has clearly been different than mine. Never had to replace the seal over the last 20+ years with different RV’s.I follow the following steps.First try the standard acid/vinegar treatment for a few days.If no luck, then scrub the ball and seal with toothpaste(a mild abrasive) and a toothbrush.Still no luck, use the sandpaper.To date, at least, one of these three things has worked.One thing I never do is let the toilet sit empty of water, or antifreeze, when not in use. Keeps that seal from drying out and getting stiff. An RV tech suggested that I put a few tablespoons of ATF in the toilet once a year to keep the seal soft and pliable. Never have, but who knows? Just might help.Just luck maybe? Or different materials/particles causing the leak? Who knows?😉 1 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #11 – January 19, 2018, 10:09:58 pm Quote from: Ed 111 - January 18, 2018, 11:08:31 pmYour experience has clearly been different than mine. Never had to replace the seal over the last 20+ years with different RV’s.I follow the following steps.First try the standard acid/vinegar treatment for a few days.If no luck, then scrub the ball and seal with toothpaste(a mild abrasive) and a toothbrush.Still no luck, use the sandpaper.To date, at least, one of these three things has worked.One thing I never do is let the toilet sit empty of water, or antifreeze, when not in use. Keeps that seal from drying out and getting stiff. An RV tech suggested that I put a few tablespoons of ATF in the toilet once a year to keep the seal soft and pliable. Never have, but who knows? Just might help.Just luck maybe? Or different materials/particles causing the leak? Who knows?😉ATF means what?
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #12 – January 19, 2018, 10:25:16 pm Quote from: Chris Horst - January 19, 2018, 10:09:58 pmATF means what?Automatic Transmission Fluid ... my best guess.** "What's that smell?" she asks. "Oh" says I, "it's not me, it's just the automatic transmission fluid." 1 Likes
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #13 – January 19, 2018, 11:05:25 pm Quote from: Ed & Margee - January 19, 2018, 10:25:16 pmAutomatic Transmission Fluid ... my best guess.That's what I thought but had never heard this before.
Re: Toilet not retaining water Reply #14 – January 20, 2018, 11:42:30 am "Life in general can involve a lot of cleaning toilets!"Another Joan-ism for my list. Thx! Lynne
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