Is your toilet tank not filling correctly? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience this toilet problem every year, and like you, they want to fix it.
Noticing your toilet isn’t filling correctly is the first step. You might have noticed it because the toilet was running, leaking, or making strange sounds. It’s important to find out why your toilet is acting up and solve the problem quickly.
Without action, your toilet could cause water damage to the house or cause your water bill to balloon. In this article, I’ll share helpful reasons your toilet tank isn’t filling correctly and I’ll share how to fix the problem.
You might be surprised to learn that you can fix your toilet on your own, without having to call a plumber. If you’re handy, doing it yourself can save you time and money!
Why Is My Toilet Tank Filling Incorrectly
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Over Water Problems In Your Home
Before blaming the problem on your toilet, consider the plumbing in your entire house.
- Are you experiencing problems with your sink or shower?
- Is the problem occurring in your other toilet?
If the problem is occurring throughout your house it’s likely not because of your toilet. It’s likely due to the pipes in your home or water provider that feeds your house.
In communal living spaces, like condominiums, neighbors may be working on their plumbing and it could impact yours (hopefully temporarily).
If you suspect it involves your entire home, it’s best to call a plumber or someone who can help. If you’re confident the problem is with your toilet, read through the common problems below.
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The Water Valve Is Closed
The first fix is the easiest. The water valve that connects your toilet to water might be turned off.
Find the water valve behind the toilet (there will be a water line running from the wall to the tank. Turn the valve to the left (left opens the line). If the valve was closed you’ll begin to hear water entering the line and your toilet. Problem solved.
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Damage To The Float
The most common reason your toilet isn’t filling correctly is due to the float. Floats are tricky because there are a few different kinds.
Older toilets use a balloon to control the level of the water while newer floats are more compact and slide up and down the fill valve.
If you’ve been working in the tank you may have damaged the fill valve float or set it in an incorrect position. You should be able to adjust the float with a screwdriver however if it’s damaged your toilet tank will not fill correctly and you’ll likely need a new one.
These can be bought as a kit and usually cost under $15 (I wrote an article on the best toilet repair kits).
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Water Is Lost Through The Overflow Valve
If the float is set too high your tank will be losing water constantly. The result will be your toilet doesn’t fill correctly. Instead, it will be filling incorrectly and wasting water.
If this is occurring, you’ll notice the problem on your water bill as you’ll use much more water than in a normal month and your water bill will be much higher. Fix this problem fast.
The overflow valve is located in the center of the tank and the top of the pipe is open. Water should not be spilling over in the overflow valve.
The fix is easy.
Adjust the float so it’s lower. I recommend about 1 inch lower than the top of the overflow valve. The lower you set the water level, the less water you will use each flush. Set the water level too low and your flush might seem weak.
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Flapper Problems
Your toilet’s flapper is located on the bottom of the tank. When raised, it allows water to enter the bowl (learn more about flappers).
The flapper is a rubbery piece that opens and closes with the flush of your toilet. These can wear out over time and cause a toilet to run. If the flapper is damaged, the toilet will run constantly and therefore make your tank not fill properly.
Use your hand to check the condition of the flapper. Make sure there is a seal when the tank is full, and make sure the chain that raises the flapper is taut (so it doesn’t get stuck under the flapper).
Conclusion
Have these 5 reasons explained why your toilet isn’t filling correctly? I hope so. We use toilets 4-5 times per day, so don’t be surprised if you encounter a problem with your toilet every once in a while.
A toilet may seem complex, but after you look under the hood you’ll realize the problems are fairy easy to tackle yourself. It’s the pipes under the toilet that can be tricky.
- Consider other areas of the house. Is your sink or shower experiencing problems as well?
- Is your toilet making sounds (running water)?
- Have you worked on the toilet recently (the water valve might be turned off)?
- How old is your toilet (if more than 20 years, parts may need to be replaced)?
- How long has the problem occurred?
As you’re attempting to fix your toilet, try to think about why it’s not filling correctly. The most obvious culprit will be the fill valve and float because they control how water enters the tank and the water level.
If worst comes to worst and you can’t fix your filling problem, you can always call a plumber. Plumbers know their stuff. It will cost a few bucks but it may put your mind at ease.
As usual, thanks for reading and be sure to check out more Toilet Travels articles to get your toilet working well!