toliet seal

[FLYING BUTCH]

the seal in our 04 Beaver allows the water (after a flush) to leak out. How much of a job is it to replace? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Diplomat Don]

FLYING BUTCH.....Have you tried the lovely job of cleaning the seal. Use a piece of wood or plastic, about half the diameter of a pencil and run it around the area between the two seal lips where the toilet blade seals. You can also run a finger between the two seal lips, with vaseline, once your done. This may give you another year or so.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don FLYING BUTCH.....Have you tried the lovely job of cleaning the seal. Use a piece of wood or plastic, about half the diameter of a pencil and run it around the area between the two seal lips where the toilet blade seals. You can also run a finger between the two seal lips, with vaseline, once your done. This may give you another year or so.

Good advice

We have had this problem also. I use "plumbers silicone grease" that I bought in Lowe's. I have found that this last me longer than the vaseline. Some also told me that vaseline is petroleum based and that it eventually might damage my seal - I don't know if this is correct.

[Wayne M]

They make a tool especially for the purpose of cleaning the seal. It looks like a flat blad screw driver, bent about 1 inch up the shaft so that the flat part is horizontal to the floor when you are looking down the handle. It fits between the seal and lets you guide items out of there.

I'd just buy a flat blade screw driver and bend it if I had to do it all over again. Round off the sharp corner just a little if you do bend one.

[Pusherpilot]

This is wierd. Mine started leaking out after about two years. After a season of constant use, it stopped. When we left for our last trip west it started again. On out last "season of use", about 3 months, it leaked constantly till we got back and has now sealed up again on its own. I go out there at least once a day and flush and it is still holding after a month. I think the secret to it is to make sure it's flushed frequently. I made a "tool" to clear the trapped TP etc and cleaning didn't seem to have much effect. I tried the silicone grease too ,no joy. I think it is a product of poor design but we do with what we have.
Ron

[Batman_777]

There is a seal lube avail at most RV stores. If it is like the one I have, it is a Teflon coated rubber seal. Directions from the toilet manufature say never use anything in the toilet that containts: Pertolium Distilates (Diesel Fuel) or harsh chemicals, or abrasives since they will damage the Teflon. Also, water hardness can build up around the seal causing an imperfect fit. The cleaning as mentioned above can be used for mild seal problems. Toilet paper can get between the seal and the closing ball.

The seal got so bad that eventually, the closing ball screw broke and I just replaced the whole toilet. The new toilet cost about $200.00 and the replacement took me about 1 1/5 hrs. Removal and replacement was very easy. The new toilet works soooo nicely. Eventually, it just wasn't worth messing with and replacement was the correct choice.

[itdave]

I think the major cause of leaks is the calcium build up for hard water. I tried using the silicon grease it would work for a while and then start leaking again. Finally broke down and changed the seal when I did I saw the build up of calcium. Using the screw driver to break up the calcium is a good idea the grease just delays the need to replace the seal.

[geeksrus]

After I do the cleaning with a 'cleaning stick' that was supplied my Sealand, I spray the area with Pledge.

I do this routine every couple of months & don't have problems since started using Pledge.

Eh!

[FLYING BUTCH]

Thanks everyone for all the info, very much appreciated. What a great site and so many great RVers with much information and willing to take time to help others!!! Enjoy and happy traveling

[FLYING BUTCH]

well I tried to clean as best I could with my hand?? can I put something in the space to keep the flapper open? It snaps shut on my hand when I am trying to clean it?? Do I just clean the - looks like the top seal, I don't see any gap to clean with a screwdriver. I put some plummers seal on it and it helped but will still drain all the water out in a few hours. Thanks in advance for any help

[Diplomat Don]

If your toilet is the Thetford ( I think AquaMagic) with the two push buttons on the left side as you face it, there is a knurled knob behind the toilet that you twist and it will slide the flapper open. Make sure you adjust it all the way back to get a good seal. If I recall, I think you can push and hold both buttons and the flapper will open and stay open.