HOME FAQs BOOKS JOBS: Help Wanted Suggestions you are here: Hotline/Forum => Letter 43010

Electrolysis With Metal Toilet Tank Components

++++++

The situation is corroding stainless steel chain which connects the flapper valve to the metal or anodized trip lever arm in the toilet tank. The tank to bowl bolts that fasten the tank to the bowl are steel, and the trip lever arm I believe is anodized aluminum. The chain, eyelet that connects the chain, and the "S" Hook which connects to the trip lever arm are all stainless steel. The confusing thing is that the corrosion is only occurring on the portion of the chain that is in the water, not the portion out of the water. All this is happening in only three week. The chain ends up coming apart, and you can not flush the toilet.

Bruce Antunez
Plumbing Components - Pomona, California, USA

++++++

Bogus stainless steel. Try some nitric acid or Lime-A-Way [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] on it. If it fizzes, it's not stainless -- maybe zinc or aluminum or magnesium?

Ken Vlach
- Goleta, California

ANSWER or FOLLOW UP POST an unrelated QUESTION HOT Topics

Disclaimer: It is not possible to diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information
presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The
internet is largely anonymous; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations may be deliberately harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: