If you have ever dealt with a slow filling toilet, you know how frustrating it can be – especially if you have a busy household! Most toilets take about 3 minutes to refill. If your toilet’s taking longer than that, or is not refilling at all, there are a few simple remedies you can try to see if you can fix your toilet yourself.
Check the Water Supply Valve
Your water supply valve may have gotten shut off, or be only partially open. If this is your problem, you are in luck! Simply open your valve all the way to allow water to flow freely into your tank.
Clogged Tubes
Another common issue that can cause your toilet to fill slowly is a clog in the valve tube. To fix this issue, you will need to shut off your water and unhook your valve tube from your toilet, making sure that it is over a cup or bucket to catch any water still in the line. Give it a thorough cleaning with a bottle brush or other tool, then open and shut your water supply valve a few times to make sure that your tube is fully flushed out.
Dirty or Damaged Flush Valve or Flapper
A flush valve or flapper that is dirty, damaged, or leaking can also cause a tank to fill slowly. Luckily, both of these parts are fairly cheap and easy to replace. A flapper can be easily disconnected and removed from your existing toilet setup, and installation of a new flapper is as simple as removal of the old.
However, if you notice that your flush valve is also dirty or damaged, you may need to replace the entire system. If you are unsure how to do that, and none of the other tips here have fixed your slow filling toilet, you will want to call a professional plumber.
Low Water Pressure
Sometimes you may just be dealing with low water pressure. A sudden drop in water pressure can mean a potentially clogged or damaged pipe somewhere in your plumbing. You may have noticed trouble with other fixtures as well. Fixing low water pressure is something that can be more difficult to do on your own, as there is the possibility that the problem extends beyond your bathroom.
If you have disconnected your valve tube from your toilet and opened your water supply valve all the way, but have noticed a slow or inconsistent stream of water, it is time to look past the toilet and find out what is causing your pressure drop. At this point, we recommend contacting a local, experienced plumber to help you solve the problem of your slow filling toilet.
If you have tried all our tips and none have worked for you, do not hesitate to get in touch with Proficient Plumbing & Heating. We offer 24-hour emergency service, so you don’t have to wait to fix your toilet problems, and you’ll always receive a free estimate from us. Contact us today and let us put your plumbing problems to bed!
