You flushed and now you have to wait; sound familiar? This is a common toilet issue with several possible reasons. Fortunately, none of them are serious concerns or expensive to address. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet flowing efficiently again.
How to Repair a Slow-Filling Toilet
Learning why your toilet is slow to refill is your first step toward fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and how to handle each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Check behind the toilet for the water supply line connected to the wall. You’ll notice a valve connecting to it, which helps you to shut off the water when repairs or full replacement of the tank is needed. Examine the value to ensure it is fully open.
Problems with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which can be found connected to the top of a vertical tube-shaped part in the toilet tank, manages the flow of water into the tank. A toilet fill valve may wear out, clog or shift out of alignment after years of use, hindering the tank from filling properly. Follow these instructions to adjust, unclog or fix the fill valve:
- Find the fill valve: Open the toilet tank lid and find the fill valve inside. It’s commonly installed on the left side with a tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank and attaching to the supply tube and shut-off valve.
- Adjust the fill valve: Make sure the fill valve is secure and evenly fastened to the tube. Alter the fill valve height if required by twisting the adjustment knob (common to newer toilets) or find a flathead screwdriver and loosen the adjustment screw (required for older toilets). Then, verify that the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clear debris from the fill valve: To get rid of mineral accumulation and other sludge from the valve, first shut off the water behind the toilet and take off the fill cap. Then, slowly turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to prevent from being sprayed by the water. Allow the water to flow for several seconds to flush out the buildup. Next, scrub away mineral buildup on the fill cap. If you detect cracks or excessive wear and tear, replace the valve.
- Clean the valve tube: Debris lodged in the valve tube could also be the culprit. Turn off the water supply and take off the valve hardware. Then, run a thin wire or bottle brush down the tube. Open the water supply slightly to rinse away the leftover residue. Reconnect 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, closing the fill valve once the tank is full. If the float ball is filled with water, it prevents the tank from filling efficiently.
Pull up the tank lid and view inside. A partially sunken float ball might be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, check the float arm it’s connected to. If the arm is directed too low in the tank, bend it up a little bit to raise the ball’s height.
If that fails to solve the issue, you might want to simply buy a new float ball; the average cost of this product ranges between $7-$20 in most hardware or home improvement stores. But it's worth remembering that this is old toilet technology, so it may be better to modernize the existing tank hardware or switch out the toilet entirely.
Plugged Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system uses vents that permit air to enter the pipes. If they become clogged, pressure may build within the pipes, preventing 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. Search for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the shingles. Clear away any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you see to guarantee that your plumbing can function as intended.
Leaky or Blocked Pipe
If there's nothing apparently 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 restrict your toilet tank from filling appropriately. It’s a good idea to hire a licensed plumber to fix these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Calverley Service Experts
Is your toilet still not working right? Turn to Calverley Service Experts for quality toilet repair in Fort Worth. We can figure out the reason why the water flow is so slow and perform the most appropriate repair. If the fixture has hit the end of its typical life span, our specialists can suggest high-efficiency toilet replacement in Fort Worth. We’ll help you decide on the replacement model and install it for you. Relax knowing that every job we complete is supported by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please connect with Calverley Service Experts today.