Toilet slow to fill? Find out why and what you can do to fix it in this article.
When you flush your toilet, does it seem the water fills too slowly? Homeowners often encounter this issue. Many factors can cause this problem. No matter how minor or expensive your toilet problem is, identifying it will allow you to apply the correct solution so the toilet can work optimally as quickly as possible.
What makes a toilet slow to fill, and what can be done to fix it?
The toilet tank usually refills in about a minute, depending on the water pressure in your home. You may have an issue if it’s taking a long time to complete.
● Clogged vents.
Clogged vents prevent air from escaping the tank, which will cause the water to take longer to fill. Remove the roof cover and inspect the vent to determine if it is clogged. Make sure it’s clear of leaves or debris if it has gotten clogged up.
How to fix it?
Remove anything clogging the vent with needle-nose pliers if it is clogged. Run a vinegar/baking soda plunger through your drain to clear it. One cup of baking soda should be added to six cups of vinegar. Allow the toilet to soak for 10 minutes before flushing.
● Problem with water supply valves
The flapper is located just above the water supply valve of your toilet tank, which controls the water flow leading to your toilet tank. If it is partially closed or if it is not performing correctly, the water may not be able to reach the right place at the right time.
An additional issue with the valve could be debris build-up in the valve, which could restrict the flow of water, causing the valve to fill slower.
How to fix it?
The fill valve can be adjusted by following these steps:
- The fill valve can most often be found on the left side of the tank when you remove the tank lid.
- Attach the fill valve evenly and securely to the tube.
- Older toilets need an adjustment screw that can be loosened with a flathead screwdriver or their fill valves raised to let more water in.
- You can add more water to the tank of a newer toilet by turning the fill valve adjustment knob with your hand.
- Ensure that the overflow tube is about one inch below the top of the water level on all toilets that have them.
- Ensure that the tank is filling properly and that the correct amount of water is being pumped into the tank when you flush it.
● Waterlogged Float Ball
If you have a toilet that is slow to fill, it could be the float ball. The float ball on the water surface controls the level of incoming water. Flooding the float ball with water prevents the tank from filling efficiently. There are, therefore, chances of the tank not filling with enough water or that it will take longer than expected to refill with water.
How to fix it?
- Ensure that the float ball does not float too low in the water, ensure that the float arm is firmly attached to the tank. It might be necessary to bend the arm upward slightly. When the ball is raised from the bottom of the tank, water can flow more freely into the tank since the ball has been raised.
- A replacement float ball will possibly need to be installed if this does not solve the problem and you are still persuaded that the float ball is the cause.
● Fill valve tube problems
Inside the toilet tank, there is a device that looks like a vertical tube having a fill valve on the end. The primary purpose of the fill valve is to regulate how much water goes into the tank.
Additionally, fill valves might become clogged, worn down, or displaced over time. The result is that the toilet may be unable to fill completely with water.
How to fix it?
Clean the valve tube of debris to fix a clogged valve.
- Put an end to the water supply by shutting off the taps.
- Disconnect the valve’s hardware.
- If the tube is dirty, clean it out with a bottle brush or a wire.
- We recommend opening and closing the water supply valve a few times to flush out any leftover residue and see if any clogs have been cleaned.
- To see if the toilet is filling properly after flushing, you may need to replace the hardware and the tube.
Replace the valve tube if it is cracked, ripped, or appears worn or damaged, or if it has any holes or tears
Toilet Slow to Fill: Conclusion
Toilet slow to fill? The toilet tank fills slowly, making flushing much more difficult. Moreover, the problem can occur with either a two-piece or one-piece toilet. Sometimes, when you flush the toilet after a weak sound and poor flow, you find the freshly flushed feces staring back at you after those awkward times.
Hopefully, this post will provide you with enough information to help you understand your problem with your toilet tank.
Need help? Contact a professional plumber at Custom Plumbing of Arizona today.