How Tight Should a Toilet Flapper Chain Be? | How to Fix a Toilet for Beginners

In this video, learn how tight to make a toilet flapper chain. Also, learn what could happen if the chain is too tight or too loose. Great information for beginners when installing or replacing a toilet flapper.
@HacksbyDad

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[MultiTobykeith]

Thank you so much! After watching countless videos, yours was the one that finally got my toilet fixed!!

[zombiegirl]

I've been dealing with a running toilet since I moved into my new place. I've watched several other videos but no one mentioned this. I was about to replace everything! I just watched your video and I was like huh, I'll try it. Just a few seconds and my toilet is working great! THANK YOU!!

[Pacificaner]

Great simple logic that most would not necessarily know. Thank you for the help.

[johndoe]

bro, i installed all new parts in toilet tank. Everything was good, no leaks outside anywhere. Two hours later i went in and lifter toilet lid to make sure everything is still good, the fill tube at the top the thing was dripping water out of it. Adjusted the chain, and stopped leaking. So what it was is flapper was like barely open and not sealing, but basically 99% closed. That 1% slightly open is why the water filler tube thing at top was dripping a TINY drip because water at flapper was barely leaking down the hole at bottom. So one key visual that i noticed is when my chain was to short, is the flapper landed on the hole slightly off center because chain was pulling it off center because it was to short. So my key visual to know if you got proper chain length is that the flapper should be centered and not pulled to one side or the other off centered in anyway. So heads up on that. ✌️

[janetbeatrice]

Thank you! I had to replace the flapper, but I wasn't sure how to adjust the chain. The flapper even had a video URL and it was mostly very helpful, but somehow they left this part out. Your video helped me adjust the chain perfectly on the first try. :-)

[ginac]

Spent 3 hours changing out the handle, then messing with that chain! I do believe I'll give it another shot.. the other videos couldn't make up their minds. Too short, too long. Thank you from a damsel in distress! 🙋💙 much love to you!

[apaulmcdonough]

A small amount of Slack in the Chain is necessary. Two links is sufficient. As for the extra chain that can also be looped and attached to the Hook.
If you are going to Cut the Excess, leave at least 4 extra links in case the Chain needs further adjustments to make it easier to hold onto.
If you ever need to Replace the Flapper, the Replacement might have a Different Attachment for the Chain.

[luannp]

Turning in my plumber's card. Two days ago I replace a toilet shutoff valve, flapper and leaks on my two main water shutoffs with little or no problems. Today I simply wanted to shorten the chain for the flapper. Watched your excellent video, resulted in overflowed toilet, several wet bath towels, two rugs, robe. Had to wash the floor. Chained shortened, lol!!!! Thanks for a great video, btw.

[dreamteamgta]

Thank you!!! Fixed my problem no need to phone a plumber

[gxqlbbd]

This video helped me so much I almost spent 150 on a plumber. Thank you sir for this video.. life saver 💪🏾

[keithhernandez]

Thank you for a very strait to the point video, it helped me fix my problem

[SuperQuackk]

Thank u for this you helped me quick and easy

[protoman]

I had a plumber come out and and replaced a low flow unit with a flapper (new arm and chain) and it worked for about a day then it started short-flushing.

You pretty much gave me what I needed to fix the issue myself without having to wait a whole weekend and some change for service. Thank you!

[AldanePorter-ebbp]

Thank you very much 😎 bro I got my issue fixed 🎉

[Reminiscencesoul]

Try putting 2 to 3 washer on the flapper beads if still not working.

[fatalis]

My toilet now flushes properly!Thanks! 🎉

[AdrianChosnThaEtSoul]

*Great video I just had to adjust the chain*

[andrewmcmillions]

I'm sorry I have to be this guy, but your half an inch is way more like a quarter inch lol, but luckily you show us your example so it's still a great tutorial! Thank you, I wanted my chain as tight as possible so there was no wiggle in the handle but my chain ended up getting tangled every now and then so this makes sense

[screenplayhouse]

My problem is the flapper has these weird 'nubs' or extrusions that grab the chain sometimes. I'm not skilled enough to rub these nubs off but I might see if the chain could be shorter to fix it. Thanks.

[joelew]

Take out the old flapper and measure the
new chain to match the old one.