Private and commercial toilets are among the simplest and most uncomplicated sanitary installations on your property. Although toilets are easy to use and require very little maintenance, they have their fair share of potential problems. Aside from clogs, one of the most common bathroom problems is a toilet that won't fill.
Several different things can cause your toilet tank not to fill with water. While the most common reason a toilet won't fill is a broken fill valve, many things can happen. You could have a broken clapper, water supply line, float, or even a leak.
If your toilet tank isn't filling up with water, there's a very good chance it's not flushing. You can no longer use an unflushing toilet, so it's important to put things right. This article looks at all the possible reasons why your toilet won't fill and what you can do about it. Let's do the dishes!
Simple solution: toilet fills with water
(Video) Toilet Not Filling Up With Water - Easy Fix!Simple solution: toilet fills with water and then drains slowly? - 2023
How does a toilet work?
Simple solution: toilet fills with water
Simple solution: toilet fills with water and then drains slowly? - 2023
To better understand each of the issues related to a toilet not filling, you should first understand how a toilet works. Once you know the purpose of each component, it becomes clear why one of them can cause a problem.
- You squeeze the toilet flush lever or handle to initiate the flushing process.
- The handle you squeeze has an arm inside the toilet tank that connects to a lifting chain.
- When you push down on the toilet handle on the outside, the arm on the inside with the chain attached to it will rise.
- The other end of the chain is connected to a baffle plate. When the chain is raised, it raises the flap to allow water to flow through the flush valve and into the toilet bowl.
- When water has flown from the tank into the bowl, the flap will sit back down while the toilet handle returns to its rest position.
- The baffle forms a perfect seal around the flush valve, preventing water that is flowing back into the tank from draining into the toilet bowl.
- A fill valve in the toilet tank is activated, allowing water to flow back into the tank from the supply line.
- Water flows from the base of the valve and fills the tank by entering through the refill tube.
- There is an overflow pipe that the fill valve attaches to, which will prevent water from overflowing into your toilet tank.
- Your tank will also be fitted with a toilet float that will rise with the water in it, signaling the fill valve when the tank is full and it's time to turn off the water supply.
Top reasons why my toilet won't fill and what to do
Now that you know that each component of a toilet plays an important role, let's look at what can happen to them that causes your toilet not to fill.
problems with the water supply
One of the most obvious possible problems is that you have a problem with your water supply line. Your supply line connects to the back of your toilet, usually somewhere near the floor. If you've recently worked on your toilet, it's possible that you or your plumber forgot to turn the water back on after the repairs were completed.
It's also possible that the water supply line is leaking or clogged. Your toilet tank can still fill with water with clogs and leaks, but very slowly. If your problem is that the low water pressure is being caused by a leak, the most likely place is the water supply valve.
how to repair
The simplest toilet problem in the world is when someone forgets to turn the water supply back on. Simply turn the valve on the supply line to the ON position and you are good to go. However, blockages and waterline leaks are a bit trickier. You need to turn off the water supply to the entire house and drain the water line.
Next, disconnect the water supply line from the toilet and replace it and the water supply valve with new ones. If that doesn't fix the problem, the problem may be with one of the main supply lines. In this case, you should entrust the work to a professional installer.
Faulty inflation valve
A faulty fill valve causes a similar problem as a water supply problem. The only job of the fill valves is to fill the toilet tank and bowl with water after the flush cycle is complete. The toilet fill valve is usually located on the left side of the toilet, opposite the overflow pipe.
Depending on the water type, mineral deposits can build up in the fill valve and cause a blockage. Deposits and aging are possible reasons and clear signs of a defective filling valve. However, regardless of the cause of the problem, the only option is to repair or replace the part.
how to repair
The easiest way to get your toilet working again if the fill valve is the problem is to simply replace it. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to install, especially for those with some DIY or plumbing experience.
- Turn OFF the water line to the toilet.
- Lift the lid on the toilet tank and set it aside.
- Check the water level again to make sure it is low.
- Flush the toilet to remove water from the tank.
- Hold the bottom of the inflation valve with one hand while using the other hand turn the top ⅛ counterclockwise to loosen and remove.
- Inspect the tiny holes that allow water to flow into the tank for debris or blockages.
- Use water or a screwdriver to knock dirt out of the hole and open things up.
- Removing debris might be an easy fix to the problem, but you can also choose to remove and replace the fill valve if it appears old or damaged.
- To replace the fill valve, simply remove it and all of its components from the toilet tank.
- Install the new fill valve in its place by following the instructions to a T.
Fill valve problems are the most common reasons for a toilet tank not filling. It is therefore important to know how to service, repair or replace the valve if necessary.
problems with the float
The float is the part of the flushing process that tells your water supply when the tank is full and can stop water from being dispensed. When the water level in the tank rises again, the float rises with it. The float looks like a softball balloon found on older toilets and features a float arm and float ball. In newer toilets, the float is attached to the side of the overflow pipe and does not float.
Regardless of what your swimmer looks like, it can cause the same problems. If it is set too low, gets stuck, or malfunctions for any reason, it will not signal the fill valve that more water is needed in the tank. The result is that the water is shut off prematurely and the tank is not filled.
how to repair
The easiest fix for your float is to readjust it and put it higher in the tank so the water rises high enough. On the other hand, if the problem is with the float itself and not where it is located, then you will have to do other repairs. It's best to replace the float. You can do this yourself by purchasing one at your local hardware store or by contacting a local plumber to do the job.
- As with all toilet repairs, ensure the water to the toilet is shut off.
- Remove the fuel cap and set it aside.
- Be aware of what type of float system you have as you will be making various adjustments to them.
- There should be a small screw with a float ball system where the float arm connects to the fill valve.
- Use a Phillips screwdriver and turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to raise the float ball and water level.
- A float cup should have a long plastic adjustment screw on the side of the float.
- Turn it clockwise by hand or a screwdriver to raise the water level.
- Your end goal should be for the water level to be about ½ inch below the top of the overflow pipe.
Your toilet flap is bad
The job of your baffles is to create a perfect seal around your toilet flush pipe and prevent water from flowing into the bowl. If youflush your toilet, the flapper rises and allows water to flow from the tank to the toilet. If you have an older toilet with an old flap, there's a good chance it's worn out or has built up debris underneath that is preventing it from sealing.
If your flapper is the problem, chances are you also have the problem of constantly flowing water. When this happens, the water flows continuously through the refill valve and flush tube at the bottom of the tank and into the bottom of your toilet bowl. Essentially, it's like an uninterrupted rinse cycle as the water continues to flow from the tank into the bowl.
how to repair
If you think your flapper is the problem but it doesn't appear bent, corroded, or twisted, you can repair it.
- Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
- Flush the toilet to empty the tank.
- Manually lift the flap and check the seal at the bottom.
- If mineral deposits are present, you can remove them with a soft brush, vinegar and baking soda.
- However, if the flapper is bent, twisted, or corroded, it is better to remove it and install a new flapper.
The Travel Gathering
The trigger assembly refers to the toilet handle, the arm in the toilet, and the flap chain connected to it. These components can fail and cause a toilet problem, a leaking toilet, or a lack of water in your tank. A bent trigger assembly, old slack chain, or a disconnected chain can be trigger assembly problems.
how to repair
If the trigger assembly is bent or twisted, you can use your hands to rotate it back into position. Remember that the material these things are made of is plastic, so handle it very carefully.
If the problem is a slack chain, you can detach it from the toilet arm and reattach it more securely. You can do the same on the flapper side, but it's usually easier to access and work with the lever arm.
However, trip assemblies are relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment and are very easy to replace. It's also one of the most common causes of toilet problems, which means the necessary toilet parts are readily available at your local hardware store.
Refers to questions
Can I fix my toilet if I'm not a crafty person?
While it's always best to have at least limited plumbing experience, toilets are fairly basic and often require simple repairs. As long as you have Google and the right tools, anyone can do itrepair toiletproblems. However, for deeper issues like leaks or plumbing issues, you should consult a plumbing professional.
Why won't my toilet stop running?
If you have the dual problem of a tank that won't fill and a toilet that won't stop, the most likely culprit is your valve. If the flapper doesn't form a perfect seal around the flush valve, tank water will flow through the flush valve and down into your toilet bowl or drain.
What is the most common problem with a toilet that won't fill?
Each of the issues we've looked at are fairly common. However, problems with the fill valve and flapper are the most common in terms of overall popularity. If you're having problem after problem with your toilet, you'd better swap it out for a newer toilet. New toilets are not expensive and solve many problems.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, toilets aren't all that complicated to use, but they do have a surprising number of moving parts. Each of these components plays an important role in its operation. If your toilet won't fill with water, it's best to work through each problem one at a time until you find the culprit. This elimination process takes time, but it's what a professional plumber would do, so you should do it.