Was reading up on why my toilet kept running and found out flappers are designed to wear out after like 6 months

I was trying to figure out a phantom flush issue and came across a plumbing forum where a guy broke down how those $5 Fluidmaster flappers have a built in failure point on purpose. Anyone else notice your toilet parts seem to crap out way faster than they used to?

3 comments

3 Comments

hayden_rivera2mo agoMost Upvoted

I get where you're coming from but I've had a Fluidmaster flapper last me almost 3 years before it started acting up, so I think 6 months is more about really bad water quality or a super cheap knockoff.

piperr582mo ago

Bet three years on a flapper is the exception not the rule.

jamienguyen1mo ago

Right, because everyone's tap water is the exact same mineral content and pH level. Maybe your 3 year flapper is the anomaly, or maybe mine is a secret agent for the local water company trying to sell more toilet parts. Either way, guess I'll just add "water quality testing kit" to my shopping cart next time I buy a new flapper.