Is your toilet tank filling more slowly than usual? This is a frequent toilet predicament with several possible culprits. Luckily, none of them are major concerns or costly to deal with. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet functioning properly again.
How to Fix a Slow-Filling Toilet
Understanding why your toilet is slow to refill is step #1 for fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and how to deal with each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Look behind the toilet for the water supply hook-up connected to the wall. You’ll find a valve connected to it, which helps you to turn off the water when repairs or full replacement of the tank is needed. Examine the value to ensure it is fully open.
Trouble with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which you’ll find close to the top of a vertical tube device in the toilet tank, regulates the water level flowing into the tank. A toilet fill valve may wear out, clog or move out of alignment after years of use, preventing the tank from filling right. Follow these tips to adjust, unclog or fix the fill valve:
- Find the fill valve: Lift the toilet tank lid and find the fill valve inside. It’s usually mounted on the left side with a tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank and connecting 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. Change the fill valve height if required by twisting the adjustment knob (typical to newer toilets) or loosening the adjustment screw with a flathead screwdriver (required for older toilets). Next, check that the water level is about one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Wash the fill valve: To eliminate mineral accumulation and other gunk from the valve, first shut off the water in the rear of the toilet and take off the fill cap. After that, slowly turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to avoid getting sprayed. Allow the water to flow for a few seconds to flush out debris. Next, scrub away mineral buildup from the fill cap. If you observe cracks or significant wear and tear, replace the valve.
- Clean the valve tube: Debris trapped in the valve tube could also be the culprit. Shut off the water supply and remove the valve hardware. Next, run a slim wire or bottle brush into the tube. Start the water supply slightly to clean away the excess residue. Replace the valve hardware and confirm if the toilet fills faster now.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, closing the fill valve whenever the tank has filled. If the float ball is filled with water, it blocks the tank from filling correctly.
Pull up the tank lid and peek inside. A partially sunken float ball might be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, examine the float arm it’s connected to. If the arm is fixed too low in the tank, bend it up somewhat to raise the ball’s height.
If that fails to solve the issue, then it might be time to just replace the component entirely. Just remember that this is an older toilet design, so it may be better to modernize the existing tank components or change out the toilet entirely.
Blocked Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system uses vents that permit air to enter the pipes. If they end up being clogged, pressure may build throughout the pipes, blocking the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet fill at a snail's pace or even cause the bowl to overflow.
You should grab a ladder and climb up on the roof to check for clogged plumbing vents. Search for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the shingles. Get rid of 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 issue could stem from your supply pipes. A leak or blockage in the water line could prevent your toilet tank from filling correctly. It’s safest to hire a licensed plumber to fix these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with R & M Climate Control Service Experts
When all else fails, turn to R & M Climate Control Service Experts for quality toilet repair in Knoxville. We can pinpoint 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 propose high-efficiency toilet replacement in Knoxville. We’ll help you decide on the replacement model and install it for you. You can relax knowing that every job we complete is protected by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please connect with R & M Climate Control Service Experts today.