Is your toilet tank filling more slowly than usual? This is a frequent toilet problem with several possible culprits. Fortunately, none of them are serious concerns or expensive to deal with. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet flowing properly again.
How to Repair a Slow-Filling Toilet
Learning why your toilet is slow to refill is the first step toward fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and how to handle each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Look behind the toilet for the water supply hose connected to the wall. You’ll notice a valve attached to it, which helps you to close off the water when repairs or full replacement of the tank is needed. Make sure this value is open by turning it to the left.
Problems with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which can be found close to the top of a vertical tube-shaped part in the toilet tank, manages the water level flowing into the tank. A toilet fill valve could break down, clog or reposition out of alignment after years of use, stopping the tank from filling appropriately. Follow these tips to adjust, clear out or fix the fill valve:
- Find the fill valve: Open the toilet tank lid and find the fill valve inside. It’s normally installed on the left side with a tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank and linking to the supply tube and shut-off valve.
- Adjust the fill valve: Be certain the fill valve is secure and evenly connected to the tube. Alter the fill valve height if necessary by turning the adjustment knob (found in newer toilets) or loosening the adjustment screw with a flathead screwdriver (required for older toilets). After that, check that the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clear debris from the fill valve: To eliminate mineral buildup and other sludge from the valve, first shut off the water in the rear of the toilet and take off the fill cap. Right after that, slowly turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to keep from being sprayed. Allow the water to flow for a few seconds to flush out dirt. Next, scrub away mineral buildup from the fill cap. If you detect cracks or substantial wear and tear, replace the valve.
- Clean the valve tube: Debris inside the valve tube could also be at fault. Turn off the water supply and remove the valve hardware. Then, run a thin wire or bottle brush down the tube. Open the water supply slightly to rinse away the remaining residue. Replace the valve hardware and verify if the toilet fills properly.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, shutting the fill valve whenever the tank has filled. If the float ball takes on water, it prevents the tank from filling correctly.
Take off the tank lid and view inside. A partially sunken float ball could be waterlogged. Before you replace the ball, look at the float arm it’s secured to. If the arm is pointed too low in the tank, bend it up slightly to lift the ball’s height.
If that does not do the trick, then it might be time to just replace the component entirely. But it's worth remembering that this is an older toilet design, so it might possibly be better to modernize the existing tank hardware or switch out the toilet completely.
Blocked Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system uses vents that enable air to enter the pipes. If they end up clogged, pressure may build within the pipes, blocking the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet fill slowly or even cause the bowl to overflow.
You'll need to jump up on the roof to look for clogged plumbing vents. Look for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the shingles. Clear away any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you notice to help your plumbing work as intended.
Leaky or Blocked Pipe
If nothing is wrong with the water supply valve, fill valve and tube, float ball or plumbing vents, the slow toilet problem could stem from your supply pipes. A leak or blockage in the water line could stop your toilet tank from filling properly. It’s a good idea to hire a licensed plumber to tackle these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Is your toilet still not working right? Turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for quality toilet repair in Denver. We can figure out the reason why your toilet is slow to fill and perform a budget-friendly repair. If the fixture has come to the end of its average life span, our team can propose high-efficiency toilet replacement in Denver. We’ll help you pick out the replacement model and install it for you. Rest assured that every job we execute is supported by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today.