You flushed and now you have to wait; sound familiar? This is a frequent toilet issue with several possible reasons. Fortunately, none of them are major concerns or costly to deal with. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet flowing efficiently again.
How to Address a Slow-Filling Toilet
Learning why your toilet is slow to refill is step #1 for fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and how to deal with each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Look behind the toilet for the water supply hose attached to the wall. You’ll see a valve connecting to it, which helps you to turn off the water when your toilet is being repaired or replaced. Examine the value to ensure it is fully open.
Problems with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which can be found close to the top of a vertical tube-shaped part in the toilet tank, regulates the water flow into the tank. A toilet fill valve may break down, clog or slip out of alignment after years of use, preventing the tank from filling appropriately. Follow these tips to adjust, clear out or fix the fill valve:
- Find 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 linking to the supply tube and shut-off valve.
- Adjust the fill valve: Be sure that the fill valve is secure and evenly attached to the tube. Change the fill valve height if required by twisting the adjustment knob (found in newer toilets) or find a flathead screwdriver and loosen the adjustment screw (required for older toilets). After that, verify that the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clear debris from the fill valve: To get rid of mineral buildup and other sludge from the valve, first shut off the water in the back of the toilet and remove the fill cap. Right after that, slowly turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to keep from being sprayed. Let the 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 inside the valve tube could also be at fault. Turn off the water supply and take off 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 leftover residue. Re-install the valve hardware and check if the toilet fills faster now.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, shutting the fill valve whenever the tank is full. If the float ball is filled with water, it prevents the tank from filling efficiently.
Remove the tank lid and look inside. A partially submerged float ball may be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, examine the float arm it’s secured to. If the arm is pointed too low in the tank, bend it up slightly to lift 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 old toilet technology, so it may be better to modernize the existing tank parts or replace the toilet altogether.
Clogged Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system uses vents that allow air to enter the pipes. If they become clogged, stress may build within the pipes, blocking the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet slow to fill or even cause the bowl to overflow.
You should grab a ladder and climb up on the roof to search for clogged plumbing vents. Start looking for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the shingles. Get rid of any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you find to guarantee that your plumbing can function 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 issue could stem from your supply pipes. A leak or blockage in the water line could prevent your toilet tank from filling correctly. It’s safest to hire a licensed plumber to handle these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Parker Pearce Service Experts
When all else fails, turn to Parker Pearce Service Experts for dependable toilet repair in Gaithersburg. We can pinpoint the reason why the water flow is so slow and perform the most appropriate repair. If the fixture has reached the end of its typical life span, our team can suggest high-efficiency toilet replacement in Gaithersburg. We’ll help you find the replacement model and install it for you. Relax knowing that every job we perform is protected by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please connect with Parker Pearce Service Experts today.