How to clean the toilet flush valve gasket

[Vegasdan]

I know I've seen this somewhere. Our toilet flush valve allows water to slowly drain out of the bowl. I have seen an article or two describing a process to clean off the gasket. I just don't want to damage it obviously.

[GaryKD]

Hi Vegasdan,
There are tools made for this. However, I just grab some toilet paper, a large paper clip and get right down and dirty into the seal opening with my fingers guiding the paper covered clip. Keep the paper clip, everything else goes into the black tank. This is not a bad as it sounds. It has worked for me every time.

[AFChap]

Toilet seals differ a bit between brands ...we have a Sealand Traveler toilet. I can normally cure the leak that is caused by paper/debris/"stuff" by pushing a toilet brush into the opening while holding the flush valve open, and rotating the brush a bit so it cleans the bottom of the seal. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HOLD ONTO THE BRUSH WELL!! Fishing a toilet brush out of the plumbing would probably not be a pretty job...

[Vegasdan]

I finally got "brave" enough today and tired of the empty bowl, so I just grabbed some toilet paper and let my fingers do the walking. I know.... Well it kept me from bitting my finger nails.

[RV Wizard]

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Hi Vegasdan, There are tools made for this. However, I just grab some toilet paper, a large paper clip and get right down and dirty into the seal opening with my fingers guiding the paper covered clip. Keep the paper clip, everything else goes into the black tank. This is not a bad as it sounds. It has worked for me every time.

Since I sometimes dump via a macerator I don't like the idea of the paper clip.. However I'm first aid trained and part of that training involves the application of latex, or non-latex, "Exam Gloves" (Surgical type gloves) to protect the hands.

Putting them on is simple.. And I only need one

When you go to take it off you do it a bit different though.. Using your clean hand slip two fingers INSIDE the glove at the "cuff" end, and gripping the CLEAN side of the glove, turn it inside out while removing it from your hand. Then bag it and dispose of it in an approved haz-mat container. (Ok, so that might not be what it winds up in, but I do bag it in a clean tightly sealed bag)

[Wayne M]

The RV Toilet Tool is a screw driver looking device with a folded over end. The blade about 3/16". I purchased one at an RV Parts Store.

If you have a screwdriver with about an 8" long blade with 3/16-1/4" blade tip, you could just heat it up and bend it about 1-1/2 inches from the tip at 90 degrees, and you would have a tool.

You gently insert the tool in the bottom side of the gasket and move it around in a circular direction - not back and forth. This will dislodge any material that may have built up, including calcium from the water supply. That stuff can get gritty and cause the leak.

I have also used a toothbrush (wife's of course) and cleaned the seal. After I have scraped and cleaned (always using a rubber glove, or my wife's winter glove) I will smear some vaseline on the glove (good for.........) and spread it around on the seal.

Works every time.

Check with the manufacture for any modification seal kits that they may have come out with. I know that Sealand was having some trouble with their spring on their valve systems and replaced the spring free of charge.

[HMXDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne m i have also used a toothbrush (wife's of course) and cleaned the seal. After i have scraped and cleaned (always using a rubber glove, or my wife's winter glove) i will smear some vaseline on the glove (good for.........) and spread it around on the seal. Works every time.

hahahahaha!

[skigramp]

Our toilet was not holding water in the bowl between flushes ... I used the smallest plastic tie that I had in my tool box .... pulled it through the latch a long ways so there was only a small loop ... then used the "blady very end" to run around under the seal ...

the loop gave me something to hang onto ... (in hindsight I should have tied a string to it) ... whatever was lodged in there and causing the slow leak decided to leave ... anyway the toilet holds water now ...

Plastic ties, WD-40, and duct tape ... they are your friends ...

[geeksrus]

I clean the gasket on a regular basis. I have a cleaning 'stick' that looks like a tongue depressor with a brush-like end. I clean between the bracket & the ball (I've also use a piece of coat hanger wire for this). After that with the water turned off, I spray Pledge around the ball near the gasket while depressing the kick pedal several times.

Since using this method all the problems I used to have no longer occur.

My toilet is a Sealand.

I have replaced a number of comments on my toilet & it is great to see that the shafts are now brass instead of the originals made of plastic.

Eh!