You flushed and now you have to wait; sound familiar? This is a known toilet predicament with several possible reasons. Luckily, none of them are serious concerns or costly to deal with. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet functioning quickly again.
How to Fix a Slow-Filling Toilet
Finding out why your toilet is slow to fill is your first step toward fixing it. Consider these possible reasons and how to handle each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Take a peek behind the toilet for the water supply hook-up attached to the wall. You’ll see a valve connected to it, which allows you to close off the water when your toilet is being repaired or replaced. Make sure this value is open by turning it to the left.
Problems with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which you’ll find close 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 break down, clog or slip out of alignment after years of use, stopping the tank from filling right. Follow these tips to adjust, clean or fix the fill valve:
- Locate the fill valve: Remove the toilet tank lid and find the fill valve inside. It’s commonly secured 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 attached to the tube. Alter the fill valve height if required by turning the adjustment knob (typical to newer toilets) or use a flathead screwdriver to loosen and adjust (required for older toilets). Then, make sure the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clean the fill valve: To take out mineral buildup and other gunk 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 avoid getting sprayed. Let some water flow for several seconds to flush out the buildup. 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 to blame. Shut off the water supply and take out the valve hardware. Afterward, run a thin wire or bottle brush down the tube. Open the water supply slightly to flush away the leftover residue. Re-install the valve hardware and confirm if the toilet fills properly.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, sealing the fill valve when the tank has filled. If the float ball is damaged or punctured and fills with water, it keeps the tank from filling correctly.
Remove the tank lid and peek inside. A partially sunken float ball may be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, look at the float arm it’s attached to. If the arm is pointed too low in the tank, bend it up slightly to raise the ball’s height.
If that fails to solve the issue, you may be able to install a new float ball. But it's worth remembering that this is an older toilet design, so it may well be better to upgrade the existing tank parts or switch out the toilet altogether.
Blocked Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system features vents that enable air to enter the pipes. If they are clogged, tension may build inside of 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 overrun.
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 ensure your plumbing works properly.
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 water line leak could stop your toilet tank from filling correctly. It’s a good idea to hire a licensed plumber to handle these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Falso Service Experts
When all else fails, turn to Falso Service Experts for dependable toilet repair in East Syracuse. We can pinpoint the reason why the water flow is so slow and perform a budget-friendly repair. If the fixture has hit the end of its useful life span, our company can recommend high-efficiency toilet replacement in East Syracuse. We’ll help you pick out the replacement model and install it for you. Rest assured that every job we complete is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please call Falso Service Experts today.