AugerPros Plumbing Blog

Why Is My Toilet Not Filling With Water?

Parts of a Toilet
Parts of a Toilet

I’m sure you happened upon this page because you just googled, “Why is My Toilet Not Filling Up With Water?” At Auger Pros Plumbing, We get frequent calls from people telling us that their toilet tank is not filling up with water properly, and it taking more than one flush attempt just to clear the bowl. According to Lowes, “Depending on your water pressure, a tank usually refills in about three minutes. If it’s slow to fill or it’s not filling at all, try the shut-off first.”

Make sure the water stop valve is completely open for maximum water flow. If it’s not completely open, that may account for your slow-fill issues. Which brings us to:

Here are three possible reasons your toilet water is slow to fill.

1. Water Supply Valve Problem

The water supply stop valve is the knob protruding from the wall just below your toilet tank, and it controls the water flowing into your toilet tank. If it’s partially closed or not functioning correctly, it may not be able to deliver the correct amount of water at the right speed. Yet another potential issue with the valve is a buildup of debris that can restrict water flow, inhibiting the valve’s filling speed.

Plumbing tip: Check the valve to make sure it’s completely open. If your valve is fully opened and still not producing the right amount of water to refill the tank, give our licensed plumbers at Auger Pros a call to check the valve for debris buildup.

2.Waterlogged Float Ball

The floating ball regulates the water level inside of the tank. The higher the ball sits inside of the tank, the higher the water level will be. If the toilet is constantly running, the toilet ball is sitting too high in the toilet and needs to be lowered. If the float ball is waterlogged, it will not allow the tank to fill efficiently. As a result, it can prevent an adequate amount of water from entering the tank, or the water may refill at a slower than the desired rate.

Plumbing tip: Remove the toilet tank lid and inspect the water level. If it’s only partially full or the ball is not floating near the top of the tank, you may have a waterlogged float ball. The good news is that replacing a float ball is as easy as pulling the old one off the float arm and putting the new one in its place.

I have to do my due diligence and mention, however, that float balls are considered old plumbing components, if you are having issues, you may be better off installing more modern plumbing parts in your toilet.

3. Fill Valve Tube Issues

The fill valve (sometimes referred to as a ballcock) brings water into the tank after the toilet is flushed and stays on until the tank refills. Any time water exits the tank (such as when a flapper is leaking), the fill valve will turn on in order to maintain the water level. Over time, fill valves can wear down, become clogged, or shift out of alignment. Any of these issues can prevent the toilet from filling with water properly.

Plumbing tip: Inspect the valve for signs of wear and tear or incorrect positioning inside the tank. It should typically be mounted on the left side of the tank with a tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank, where it attaches to the supply tube and shut-off valve.

Want to save yourself the DIY troubleshooting hassles, and get efficient toilet repair from the pros? The team of licensed, knowledgeable plumbers at Auger Pros Plumbing can provide you with the toilet repair and replacement services you need. Call 214-206-6580 today!