Have you noticed that your toilet is taking longer to refill after flushing? This is a frequent toilet issue with several possible reasons. Thankfully, none of them are major concerns or costly to deal with. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet flowing efficiently again.
How to Repair a Slow-Filling Toilet
Understanding why your toilet is slow to refill is your first step toward fixing it. Keep in mind these potential reasons and how to deal with each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Look behind the toilet for the water supply line connected to the wall. You’ll notice a valve connected to it, which helps you to shut off the water when your toilet is being repaired or replaced. Check this valve to make sure it’s completely open.
Issues with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which is connected to the top of a vertical tube-shaped part in the toilet tank, regulates the water level flowing into the tank. A toilet fill valve might wear out, clog or shift out of alignment after years of use, hindering the tank from filling right. Follow these tips to adjust, clean or fix the fill valve:
- Search for 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 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. Modify the fill valve height if necessary by twisting the adjustment knob (common to newer toilets) or find a flathead screwdriver and loosen the adjustment screw (required for older toilets). After that, verify that the water level is roughly one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Wash the fill valve: To eliminate mineral buildup and other dirt from the valve, first shut off the water behind the toilet and take off the fill cap. Right after that, 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 15-20 seconds to flush out debris. 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. Afterward, run a slim wire or bottle brush into the tube. Open the water supply slightly to clean away the leftover residue. Re-install the valve hardware and check if the toilet fills quicker.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, shutting the fill valve whenever the tank is full. If the float ball is damaged or punctured and fills with water, it blocks the tank from filling correctly.
Pull up the tank lid and view inside. A partially submerged float ball might be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, look at the float arm it’s connected to. If the arm is fixed too low in the tank, bend it up a little bit to raise the ball’s height.
If that does not do the trick, then it might be time to just replace the component entirely. Just be aware that this is old toilet technology, so it may well be better to upgrade the existing tank components or change out the toilet altogether.
Clogged Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system features vents that permit air to enter the pipes. If they are clogged, stress may build inside of the pipes, preventing the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet fill at a snail's pace or even cause the bowl to flood.
You need to get on the roof to search for clogged plumbing vents. Look for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the roof tiles. Clear away any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you find to guarantee that your plumbing can function as intended.
Leaky or Blocked Pipe
If you can’t find anything 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 prevent your toilet tank from filling appropriately. It’s safest to hire a licensed plumber to handle these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Stark Services
If these tips did not handle your issue, look to Stark Services for dependable toilet repair in Fort Worth. We can pinpoint the reason why this is happening and perform a cost-effective repair. If the fixture has come to the end of its average life span, our company can suggest high-efficiency toilet replacement in Fort Worth. 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 contact Stark Services today.