Why Is My Toilet Slow to Fill?

You flushed and now you have to wait; sound familiar? This is a common toilet predicament with several possible culprits. Fortunately, none of them are major concerns or expensive to correct. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet flowing quickly again. 

How to Fix a Slow-Filling Toilet 

Finding out why your toilet is slow to refill is your first step toward fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and the best way to handle each one. 

Partially Closed Water Supply Valve 

Look behind the toilet for the water supply hook-up attached 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. Examine the value to ensure it is fully open. 

Trouble 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, manages the water level flowing into the tank. A toilet fill valve could degrade, clog or slip out of alignment after years of use, hindering the tank from filling appropriately. Follow these tips to adjust, unclog or fix the fill valve: 

• Find the fill valve: Open the toilet tank lid and find the fill valve inside. It’s normally mounted on the left side with a tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank and attaching 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. Adjust the fill valve height if necessary by twisting the adjustment knob (found in newer toilets) or find a flathead screwdriver and loosen the adjustment screw (required for older toilets). Then, verify that the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube. 
• Clean the fill valve: To remove mineral buildup and other sludge from the valve, first shut off the water in the rear of 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. Let some water 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: Dirt trapped in the valve tube could also be to blame. Turn off the water supply and remove the valve hardware. Next, run a slim wire or bottle brush into the tube. Turn back on the water supply slightly to flush away the remaining residue. Reconnect the valve hardware and check if the toilet fills properly. 

Waterlogged Float Ball 

The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, shutting the fill valve once the tank has filled. If the float ball is damaged or punctured and fills with water, it prevents the tank from filling properly. 

Take off the tank lid and view inside. A partially submerged float ball could be waterlogged. Before you replace the ball, check the float arm it’s connected to. If the arm is fixed too low in the tank, bend it up slightly to raise the ball’s height. 

If that fails to solve the issue, 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 old toilet technology, so it might possibly be better to modernize the existing tank components or switch out the toilet altogether. 

Plugged Plumbing Vent 

Your home plumbing system features vents that allow air to enter the pipes. If they end up being clogged, pressure may build inside of the pipes, preventing the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet fill slowly or even cause the bowl to overrun. 

You’ll need to jump up on the roof to check for clogged plumbing vents. Search for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the shingles. Get rid of any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you see to help your plumbing work as intended. 

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 problem could stem from your supply pipes. A problem with the water line itself could stop your toilet tank from filling correctly. It’s safest to hire a licensed plumber to handle these issues. 

Schedule Toilet Repair with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Is your toilet still not working right? Turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for reliable toilet repair in the U.S.. 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 average life span, our company can recommend high-efficiency toilet replacement in the U.S.. We’ll help you pick out the replacement model and install it for you. You can relax knowing that every job we complete is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.