When you press the toilet lever or button to flush it, what are you actually doing? What is the toilet flusher called?
The official name for the part is a toilet trip lever. It includes the handle or button component that is used to initiate the flush and the swing arm that is used within the interior of the toilet. When searching for a toilet trip lever, some may be sold with chains that are used to attach the lever to the flapper, which prevents water from entering the toilet bow from the tank.
The chain attaches to the swing arm within the tank of the toilet. The arm attaches through an opening in the tank to connect it to the lever or button. Once activated, the flapper is lifted and allows the flush to occur.
How to Replace a Toilet Trip Lever
If you have a broken toilet trip lever, then you’re forced to flush the toilet manually by lifting the flapper yourself. Thankfully, a repair of this part is relatively simple and can be accomplished with just a few tools.
Here’s what you need to do.
1. Turn off the water to the tank and then open the flapper to remove water from the tank.
2. Remove the broken lever. There is a shank nut that holds most levers in place that must be removed. Pliers or an adjustable wrench will usually work.
3. Thread the replacement part through the opening in the tank. Replace the shank nut to hold the mechanism in place. Do not fully tighten the shank nut yet.
4. Connect the flapper chain to the swing arm, then tighten the shank nut. Because the swing arm may be a different length, ensure that activating the lever will pull the flapper open.
5. Turn the water back on and test the toilet to ensure that it is working.
Assuming you have the tools to remove the old lever, this repair can often be done for $10 or less on most toilets. It generally takes 15-30 minutes to complete the first time.
Button levers are replaced in a similar way, but are usually placed on the top of the tank instead of the side of it.
If your toilet isn’t flushing, it could be that there is a problem with the toilet flusher. Take a look today and make the repair if it is necessary.