Is Your Toilet Bowl Slow to Fill?

3 reasons why your toilet is slow to fill

Have you noticed a slow filling toilet tank in your home? You may have spotted that your toilet water is too slow to fill your toilet bowl after you flush. While frustrating to see, a slow filling toilet is not an uncommon issue.

While there can be many causes, none are entirely serious or very expensive to fix. Once you identify the problem, you can be on your way to a regular filling speed once more!

Below, you can learn the most common reasons and how to fix a slow filling toilet tank:

Why Is a Toilet Slow to Fill?

Do you find yourself asking, ‘Why is my toilet bowl slow to fill?’ You’re in the right place. Here are three of the most common reasons:

It Has a Water Supply Valve Issue

In many situations, a slow filling toilet tank can be caused by an issue with your water supply valve. This valve is a knob protruding from the wall beneath your toilet tank. Its job is to control the water flow rate into your toilet tank. If the valve is broken or partially closed, it can often deliver water too slowly. Sometimes, debris can also build up in the valve, restricting water flow.

The fix: Ensure your water supply valve is fully open. If it is, and you still have a slow filling toilet, contact a licensed and insured service professional to check it for debris, build-up, and other problems.

The Float Ball Is Waterlogged

The float ball is a mechanism that sits on top of the water in your toilet tank. Its job is to control how much water is coming into the tank. If the float ball becomes waterlogged, it can’t do this job properly. Instead, it may stop your tank from filling correctly!

The fix: Take off your toilet lid tank and check the water level. If the ball isn’t floating near the top, or the tank is only partially full, a waterlogged float ball is the likely issue. Remove the float ball from the float arm and replace it.

It Has a Fill Valve Tube Problem

Fill valves are valves attached to the tube-shaped devices inside your toilet tank. They control the water level in the tank. Over time, they can wear down, shift out of alignment, and get clogged up. Any of these issues can make a toilet tank slow to fill!

The fix: Look for signs of wear and tear or incorrect positioning of your fill valve tube. It should be on the left side, with a tail section going through the bottom of the tank. In this position, it attaches to the supply tube and shut-off valve.

How to Fix a Slow Filling Toilet

Now that you’ve identified what makes a toilet slow to fill, you may be better positioned to fix the issue. Arm yourself with gloves, a scrub brush, wire, a tube brush, and a screwdriver, and try some of the following fixes:

Method 1: Open the Water Supply Valve

A partially closed water supply valve can sometimes make your toilet bowl slow to fill. Open the valve all the way, and you may enjoy a fast and easy fix.

Method 2: Adjust the Fill Valve

A simple fill valve adjustment may be the answer. Take these steps:

Remove the tank lid and identify the fill valve – usually on the left-hand side
Ensure the fill valve is secured evenly to its tube
If you have an older toilet, use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the adjustment screw. Raise the fill valve to let in more water.
If you have a newer toilet, turn the fill valve adjustment knob with your hand to let in more water
Ensure the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube
Flush the toilet and see if the water level is higher

Method 3: Clean the Fill Valve

Some people experience a slow filling toilet because their fill valve has mineral build-up or debris. Take these steps to clean it:

Turn off the toilet’s water supply and remove the tank lid
Unscrew the screws on the fill valve to remove the fill cap
Turn on the water supply (slowly) and cup your hand over the valve to avoid being sprayed
Let water flow through the valve to get rid of debris and any build-up
Wait a few seconds and turn the water supply off
Turn over the fill cap to locate the washer. Take it off with a screwdriver and clean any mineral build-up
Replace the fill valve if you identify any cracks
Put the valve back in place with its screws and turn the water on

Method 4: Fix Your Waterlogged Float Ball

You may have a slow filling toilet tank because your float ball is waterlogged. Take these actions:

Make sure your float ball on the float arm is positioned high enough to let more water into the tank
If it’s too low in the tank, move the arm slightly upward
If you still have no luck, you can replace the float ball or contact a licensed and insured service professional to install a newer-style mechanism

Method 5: Unclog the Valve Tube

If you have a clogged valve tube in your toilet, take these actions:

Turn off your toilet’s water supply
Remove hardware from the valve
Clean out the tube with a bottle brush or wire
Flush away remaining debris by opening and shutting the water supply valve
Reinstall the hardware and see if the water starts to fill properly
Replace any hardware or your valve tube if you notice any damage, wear and tear, or holes

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Toilet Repair and Replacement Services

Are you frustrated by whatever is making your toilet bowl slow to fill? Contact your locally owned and operated Mr. Rooter Plumbing for help. We can provide toilet replacement and repair services to have your toilet tank back in action in no time! Contact us today or request an estimate online.