You flushed and now you have to wait; sound familiar? This is a common toilet problem with numerous possible causes. Luckily, none of them are serious concerns or costly to address. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet functioning efficiently again.
How to Address a Slow-Filling Toilet
Learning why your toilet is slow to refill is your first step toward fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and how to handle 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 attached to it, which allows you to turn off the water when repairs or full replacement of the tank is needed. Check this valve to make sure it’s completely open.
Trouble with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which can be found close to the top of a vertical tube device in the toilet tank, manages the water flow into the tank. A toilet fill valve may wear out, clog or shift out of alignment after years of use, hindering the tank from filling right. Follow these tips to adjust, unclog or fix the fill valve:
- Locate the fill valve: Lift 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 linking to the supply tube and shut-off valve.
- Adjust the fill valve: Make sure the fill valve is secure and evenly connected to the tube. Change the fill valve height if necessary by twisting the adjustment knob (common to newer toilets) or use a flathead screwdriver to loosen and adjust (required for older toilets). Next, verify that the water level is about one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clear debris from the fill valve: To get rid of mineral accumulation 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 prevent from being sprayed by the water. Let some water flow for several seconds to flush out the buildup. Next, scrub away mineral buildup off the fill cap. If you notice cracks or significant wear and tear, replace the valve.
- Clean the valve tube: Debris lodged in the valve tube could also be at fault. Shut off the water supply and take out the valve hardware. Next, run a thin wire or bottle brush down the tube. Start the water supply slightly to clean away the leftover residue. Re-install the valve hardware and see if the toilet fills quicker.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, shutting the fill valve when the tank has filled. If the float ball takes on water, it keeps the tank from filling correctly.
Take off the tank lid and view inside. A partially submerged float ball could be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, look at the float arm it’s secured to. If the arm is directed too low in the tank, bend it up a little bit to elevate the ball’s height.
If this doesn’t work, you may be able to install a new float ball. Just be aware that this is an older toilet design, so it may be better to upgrade the existing tank hardware or replace the toilet entirely.
Plugged Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system uses vents that enable air to enter the pipes. If they end up being clogged, tension may build within the pipes, stopping the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet slow to fill or even cause the bowl to overrun.
You need to get on the roof to look 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 find to ensure your plumbing works properly.
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 issue could stem from your supply pipes. A problem with the water line itself could prevent your toilet tank from filling correctly. It’s best to hire a licensed plumber to fix these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Komfort Air Service Experts
Is your toilet still not working right? Turn to Komfort Air Service Experts for reliable toilet repair in Charlotte. We can figure out the reason why your toilet is slow to fill and perform a cost-effective repair. If the fixture has hit the end of its useful life span, our company can propose high-efficiency toilet replacement in Charlotte. We’ll help you decide on the replacement model and install it for you. You can relax knowing that every job we execute is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please contact Komfort Air Service Experts today.