Have you noticed that your toilet is taking longer to refill after flushing? This is a frequent toilet problem with several possible culprits. Luckily, none of them are major concerns or costly to deal with. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet working properly again.
How to Repair a Slow-Filling Toilet
Understanding why your toilet is slow to refill is step #1 for fixing it. Think about these potential reasons and how to deal with each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Take a peek behind the toilet for the water supply hose connected to the wall. You’ll notice a valve attached to it, which allows you to close off the water during toilet repairs and replacements. 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 connected to the top of a vertical tube device in the toilet tank, regulates the water level flowing into the tank. A toilet fill valve might break down, clog or shift out of alignment after years of use, hindering the tank from filling appropriately. Follow these tips to adjust, clear out or fix the fill valve:
- Locate 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 linking to the supply tube and shut-off valve.
- Adjust the fill valve: Make sure the fill valve is secure and evenly attached to the tube. Alter the fill valve height if needed by twisting the adjustment knob (found in newer toilets) or use a flathead screwdriver to loosen and adjust (required for older toilets). Then, check that the water level is roughly one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Wash the fill valve: To get rid of mineral accumulation and other gunk from the valve, first shut off the water in the back 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. Let some water flow for 15-20 seconds to flush out dirt. Next, scrub away mineral buildup from the fill cap. If you detect cracks or significant wear and tear, replace the valve.
- Clean the valve tube: Dirt lodged in the valve tube could also be at fault. Shut off the water supply and take off the valve hardware. Next, run a slim wire or bottle brush into the tube. Start the water supply slightly to flush 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, sealing the fill valve once the tank is full. If the float ball is damaged or punctured and fills with water, it keeps the tank from filling efficiently.
Take off the tank lid and look inside. A partially submerged float ball may be waterlogged. Before you replace the ball, look at the float arm it’s attached to. If the arm is fixed too low in the tank, bend it up somewhat to elevate the ball’s height.
If that does not do the trick, 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 an older toilet design, so it may well be better to update the existing tank parts or change out the toilet altogether.
Clogged Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system includes vents that enable air to enter the pipes. If they end up being clogged, tension may build inside of the pipes, blocking the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet fill slowly 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 tiles. Clear away any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you notice to help your plumbing work as intended.
Leaky or Blocked Pipe
If nothing is 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 best to hire a licensed plumber to tackle these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Broad Ripple Service Experts
Is your toilet still not working right? Turn to Broad Ripple Service Experts for reliable toilet repair in Indianapolis. We can identify the reason why your toilet is slow to fill and perform a budget-friendly repair. If the fixture has hit the end of its useful life span, our team can propose high-efficiency toilet replacement in Indianapolis. We’ll help you pick out the replacement model and install it on your behalf. Rest assured that every job we complete is protected by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please contact Broad Ripple Service Experts today.