Did you just try to flush your toilet, and nothing occurred? Peek within the tank, and you might see no water inside. Before you worry, rest assured that repairing this problem is usually straightforward. If you can’t figure it out yourself, you can always set up toilet repair with an experienced plumber. Follow these tips to diagnose and repair the problem of no water in the toilet tank.
Check the Water Supply
The first step is to make sure the water is flowing. If you or someone in your household recently completed a toilet repair, you may have turned off the water first. Did you neglect to turn it back on? To find out, turn the water shut-off valve on the wall behind the toilet. If the valve was closed, water should now start refilling the tank. If this doesn’t work, test the water at your sink or an alternative plumbing fixture. If nothing spills out from the tap, you could have a larger water supply issue. Call your water company to get more details.
Reposition or Replace the Float Mechanism
Older toilet brands use a float ball to determine the water level as it goes up in the tank. When the ball hits a specified height, the float arm it’s joined to stops the water flow. However, insufficient water may enter the tank if the ball is positioned improperly or the arm is faulty. To move the float ball, start by removing the toilet tank top. Bend the float arm up slightly to change where it sits in the tank. If this does not fix the problem, you might need to replace the whole float mechanism. You should be able to do this yourself by following the directions that come with the replacement parts, or you can work with a plumber for help. Just note that float balls are old toilet design. You may prefer improved reliability and efficiency if you upgrade the existing tank components or replace the toilet completely.
Adjust the Fill Valve
Modern toilets operate with a float cup instead of a float ball, coupled with a fill valve and water level rod. There may be no water in the toilet tank because the valve has slipped out of place or become plugged. Here are a couple recommendations to attempt:
- Test the fill valve: Have a look inside the toilet and find the fill valve on top of a vertical tube device on the left side of the tank. Verify that it’s secure and evenly ahered to the tube. Then, fine-tune the water level. Current models of toilets have an adjustment knob you can turn with your hand, while older designs may require you to loosen an adjustment screw with a flathead screwdriver. Flush the toilet and allow the tank refill to verify the water level. Modify it until the water comes to approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clean the fill valve: Mineral buildup and other gunk might be covering the valve and stopping your toilet from filling. Turn off the water behind the toilet and take off the fill cap. Then, steadily turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to prevent water from spraying everywhere. After several seconds, turn the water back off. Finally, scrub the fill cap to dislodge any hard water buildup. If the cap is cracked, replace it.
- Clean the valve tube: The tube below the fill valve could also be clogged. Shut off the water and take off the valve hardware. Then, insert a slim bottle brush or wire down the tube. Turn the water back on a little to flush away the junk. Replace the valve hardware and flush the toilet to check your work.
Repair or Replace the Trip Assembly
If you’ve followed the steps above without success, the one remaining possibility is a broken trip assembly. This part connects the flush handle to the tank. If it’s broken or positioned improperly, the flush cycle may not complete, leaving the tank void. Take off the toilet tank lid and examine the trip assembly fastened to the handle. If it’s out of place, reposition it. If the assembly is crooked, worn or busted, swap it with a new one. Whether you finish the job yourself or leave it to a plumber, this simple repair should get your toilet tank filled with water again.
Schedule Toilet Repair Today
You can’t go long without a working toilet, so reach out to [Company name] to request a toilet repair. We can determine why your toilet isn’t filling and propose the correct fix. If your plumbing fixture is old and worn out, our team will install a high-efficiency toilet in your bathroom. Rest assured that every plumbing repair and replacement we perform is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. To schedule a visit from one of our licensed crews, please contact your community [Company name] office today.