Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by acechapman
If your toilet won’t refill after a flush, it can be frustrating and inconvenient. It can also be a sign of a more serious issue with the plumbing system. There are several possible reasons why your toilet might not be refilled after a flush. Therefore, it is important to identify the root cause of the problem in order to fix it.
Toilet tanks are designed to fill up with water each flush. It should fill in approximately 10 seconds and the water level should not be more than 1/2 inch below its overflow tube.
What to do when your toilet tank won’t refill?
Adjust The Toilet Float
A float cup/cylinder or a float ball will be found in your toilet. Float balls can be found in older toilet models, while float cups and cylinders are more common in modern toilets.
The toilet fill valve is controlled by a toilet float that connects to it. The tank’s water level will drop if the toilet float is too low.
It should not be set too high. Excess water can fill the tank and then flow to the bowl via the overflow tube. This is usually the reason why a toilet won’t stop working.
How to adjust the toilet float?
- Turn off the shutoff valve at the back of your toilet. If you have a push/pull valve, turn it clockwise.
- To get the most water out of the toilet, hold the lever down and flush it.
- Take off the lid from the toilet tank and store it in a safe location.
- Make sure you have a float ball and float cup.
- If you have a floating ball, make sure to check the connection between the float arm and the fill valve. To raise the water level in your toilet tank, use a screwdriver.
- Look for a long, plastic screw attached to the float cup. To raise the water level of the toilet tank, turn it clockwise with a screwdriver.
- Do not try to turn too many screws at once during adjustments. Continue to turn the water supply, opening, and closing it until the level is approximately 1/2 below the overflow tube.
- Reattach the lid to your toilet tank
Replace The Fill Valve
The fill valve connects to the water supply line and is located in the tank. It fills the tank with water after flushing. It is connected to the refill tube on the inside and the toilet float valve.
The toilet float will move to the bottom of your tank after flushing. This is the action that opens the fill valve. The float gradually rises as the water fills the tank. To prevent sewer gases from escaping to the bathroom, the refill tube sends water through the overflow tube down to the bowl.
The toilet tank won’t refill after a flush if the fill valve on your toilet is defective. The fill valve will not fill the toilet with water due to the accumulation of water or because the seals on the valve are worn.
You can repair a fill valve that is relatively new if there are any obstructions to water flow. A slow-filling toilet is the best way to fix this.
How to fix a toilet fill valve?
- Turn off the water supply to your toilet.
- try to flush the toilet.
- Hold the shaft of the fill valve in one hand and turn the cap counterclockwise with the other.
- Check the holes in the valve seat for debris.
- To prevent water splashing, place an empty cup on top of the fill valve. Then open the water supply to your toilet. The water pressure should force out the waste.
- Once the valve is open, put the fill valve cap back.
You should replace an old or worn-out fill valve. Fill valves can be inexpensive, so it is often a better idea to replace them than repair them.
It is easy to replace a fill valve and it doesn’t cost you a fortune.
How to replace a toilet fill valve?
- Turn off the water supply for the toilet.
- To remove as much water from the toilet as possible, flush it and then hold the lever down.
- The water supply line should be disconnected. To disconnect the water supply line, turn it counterclockwise. This can be done with your bare hands and not a wrench.
- Next, remove the lock nut and turn it counterclockwise.
- Take out the refill clip from your overflow tube.
- Lift the fill valve.
- Clean the area in which the new fill valve is to be installed.
- You can adjust the fill valve’s height. To fit different tanks, fill valves can be adjusted in height. To increase the length of your fill valve, simply grab the top portion and turn the bottom threaded piece counterclockwise.
- The fill valve cap should be at least 3 inches above the overflow tube.
- Slide in the fill valve, and lock it with the locknut.
- Connect the supply line to the back.
- Attach the refill tube and the overflow tube.
- Turn on the water supply for the toilet.
- If necessary, adjust the water level in the toilet tank.
Replace The Toilet Flapper
Your toilet flapper could be the problem if your toilet won’t refill after a flush, but you are getting the water running. The toilet flapper is a rubber seal that covers the bottom of the toilet tank. It opens to let flush water into the bowl, and seals after flushing.
A lift chain connects the flapper to the handle of the toilet. You should leave a half-inch of slack on the chain. The flapper will be loosened if the chain is too tight, or if it hooks to other parts of the tank. The toilet will not fill up with water and will continue to run.
The lift chain can also cause problems if its end hangs loosely in the toilet tank. It can also get into the flapper hole, causing the flapper to fail to seal properly. The toilet will stop working and won’t fill.
Minerals and other debris can sometimes build up under the flapper of the toilet and on the opening of the flush valve. The flapper won’t seal, and your toilet tank will stop filling with water. The problem should be solved by flushing the flapper and the flush valve with running water.
The flapper that is worn or damaged is not likely to leak and should be replaced. Here’s how to replace a flapper on a toilet.
How to replace a toilet flapper?
- Turn off the water supply to your toilet. The shutoff valve will be located behind the toilet. It is clockwise.
- To remove as much water from the toilet as possible, flush it and then hold the lever down.
- Take off the lid of your toilet and store it in a safe location.
- Then, take the lift chain off the handle arm.
- Take the flapper off the overflow tube by removing the attachments and lifting it off
- Make sure to clean the area where the flapper will be placed.
- Connect the flapper to the overflow tube and install the new flapper.
- Attach the lift chain to your handle arm.
- Turn on the water supply for the toilet.
- You can see that the tank fills quickly and there are no leaks
- Recover the lid from the toilet tank
Replace The Overflow Tube
To prevent toilet overflow, the toilet overflow tube is a tube located in the middle of the toilet tank. It channels any excess water down to the bowl.
The overflow tube can sometimes crack and send water from the tank to the bowl. This could be the problem if your toilet doesn’t refill after a flush, but you have running water.
It is easy to replace an overflow tube. Simply remove the old one from the base of the flush valve and install the new one. Be sure to get the correct size of the flow tube.
You can also replace the entire flush valve.
Check The Water Pressure Of The Toilet
A slow-filling toilet could be due to a faulty or clogged fill valve. This can be caused by old or leaking pipes.
First, determine if low water pressure is affecting only your toilet or other fixtures in the home. You can check if there is a blockage in the water supply line or if it is just the toilet.
Simply remove the pipe and blow air through it. If it appears fine, then it could be a problem with your main water pipe. You can call a professional plumber for assistance.
Open The Shut-Off Valve
First, check that the shutoff valve is closed if the toilet tank doesn’t refill after you flush it. It is located at the back wall of the toilet. Turn it counterclockwise to open it.
A push/pull valve is available for some toilets. To open the water supply, push the valve handle in. Although it is an easy fix, if you aren’t sure where to look or what to check, your toilet won’t fill up with water after the first flush.
Consult A Plumber
If all else fails, you need to ask for professional help. Plumbing experts can help you diagnose the problem and fix it. It might be cheaper than buying a whole new toilet.
Wrapping Up
So there you go. Fixing your toilet that won’t refill after a flush can be easy if you follow these simple steps. It won’t be too costly for small repairs and replacements of the parts. However, it won’t cost you much either if you consult a plumbing expert if all else fails rather than getting a new toilet.
To troubleshoot the problem, you can try checking for clogs or leaks, or inspecting and replacing faulty components. If you are unable to fix the problem on your own, it may be necessary to call a professional plumber for further assistance. Fixing a toilet that won’t refill after a flush is important not only for your convenience but also for the overall health and function of your plumbing system.
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