Summer break is a time to get outside, take a dip in the pool, and soak up the sun. However, after going on a vacation and planning lots of fun summer shenanigans, sometimes the heat becomes overbearing. You may get stumped on how to keep the kiddos entertained on a long summer day. Fortunately, this is the perfect time to get your kids to help with projects around the house!

Plumber bills are costly and can rack up quickly if you do not know how to install and repair your toilet. Take this opportunity to teach your kids how to do a simple DIY toilet repair project. They will definitely thank you later!

How to Install the Perfect Seal Toilet Wax Ring

When installing a new toilet or adjusting a toilet following a repair, it is important to ensure the toilet is level and does not move, as this can damage the seal. Toilets are sealed to the floor flange with a wax ring, but the height of the flange and the tightness of the flange bolts that secure the toilet to the floor can affect the ring’s ability to create a watertight seal.

Take the guesswork out of toilet installation! Perfect Seal is universal and will work with any toilet installation. It fits any drain size and flange depth. Its patented seal design combines specially designed rubber gaskets with encapsulated wax to form a seal that is three times stronger than a wax ring without the mess.

To use the Perfect Seal:

  • Begin cleaning the toilet horn and floor flange of all waxy residue.
  • From there, insert the bolts into the flange stabilizing by placing plastic washers to the base of the bolts. If the flange is above or level, it does not require the blue adapter.
  • If the flange is located below the floor, use the blue adapter.
  • Once assembled, install the Perfect Seal on the toilet flange
  •  Align the toilets over the bolts and press the toilet firmly onto the floor.
  • The wax in the Perfect Seal will adhere to the floor flange.

Unlike ordinary wax rings, the Perfect Seal can be repositioned. If the toilet does not sit properly on the floor, remove the round plastic insert inside the Perfect Seal and reset it. Place metal washers over bolts and tighten the nuts. Do not overtighten as it may cause damage to the bowl or flange.

The Perfect Seal is available on Amazon, The Home Depot, and Wal-Mart.

Replace Standard Flapper

Another quick DIY you should teach the kids is how to replace a flimsy flapper. A common and most annoying problem with standard toilets is when a toilet continues to flush after the cycle is complete. The EPA estimates that 20% of all toilets leak up to 200 gallons of water daily, mostly because of faulty flappers. The toilet flapper is a rubber seal that closes off the flush valve to keep water in the tank. The valve is opened when the toilet lever is pushed.

Instead of replacing the damaged flapper with another standard one, consider replacing the flimsy rubber flapper with a sturdy tower. FLT231 HydroStop Toilet Tank Flapperless Alternative is engineered to eliminate the most common toilet problems. Unlike the angled, floating close of a flapper, the HydroStop drops vertically and solidly onto the flush valve opening to create a better seal and eliminate the possibility of leaks.

FLT231 uses S.T.O.P. Technology (Safe Toilet Overflow Protection) that helps prevent bowl overflows. In the event of a clog, lifting the handle immediately drops the HydroStop tower and closes the flush valve so that water does not continue to drain from the tank into the bowl. To install, turn off the water supply and drain water from the toilet. Remove the flapper and handle. Drop-in the Hydrostop system and tighten the handle.

FL231 HydroStop is available on Amazon, The Home Depot, and Wal-Mart.

On these endless summer days, take this time to challenge your kid’s DIY skills while getting a helping hand around the house!