Toilet is one of the most important fixtures that you will need in your bathroom yet is the most neglected item that is given least importance in your home. Being at the center of a functional bathroom, toilet needs to run in an efficient manner so that any kind of inconvenience can be avoided. It is important for the toilet to run efficiently for maintaining sanitation and hygiene standards but when any kind of minor or major problems affect the toilet then professional intervention is extremely crucial. When the tank is not filling adequately, it can be very frustrating and inconvenient for the people living in the household; therefore, hiring a skilled and experienced plumber is the best way to handle any toilet related issues. This professional can look for the exact cause of the issue and the way to fix the problem so that any serious problem can be avoided.
There are many plumbing issues that might affect your toilet but one of the most common issues is toilet tank not filling. It might seem an insignificant issue but it is a major problem that can stop you from using your toilet. After every flush when you notice that the toilet tank is not filling then it can be a matter of concern for you and your family, Therefore, calling an experienced and qualified plumber can be the best way of dealing with this situation so that you can continue using the toilet as before. When you have to ask yourself- ” Why is my toilet tank not filling”, you will have to look for the root cause of the problem so that it can be resolved at the earliest.
Check your water supply
The tank of your toilet might not fill when the water supply valve has been turned off and hence the first thing that you will have to do is to check the water supply. Checking the water supply inside your bathroom will help you know that the problem lies somewhere else. You will also need to check the water supply line for leakage and even after finding everything in place, if the tank does not fill on its own then there is a major plumbing problem. This is the time that you will need professional assistance as you are not experienced enough to handle the problem on your own. When the tank is not filling, it will prevent you from flushing properly and it can also lead to wastage of water as well as overflowing toilet. Finding the exact nature of problem and the way to fix the problem can only be done by professionals who can handle all toilet related issues easily.
Toilet tank not filling- a major problem
The cistern in the toilet should be filled automatically after every flush and this is done with the help of the fill valve. This valve needs to be of the correct height for allowing water to fill in the tank. The water is refilled in the tank in about 10 seconds of flushing but if you find that water does not get filled on its own then it can be a matter of concern. Apart from problem with the fill valve, there may be other reasons for the water not filling. The most common reasons are low water pressure, cracked or damaged overflow tube, defective flapper and incorrect toilet float height. Regardless of the issue, it is important to contact an experienced plumber who will help in identifying the problem and finding out the right solution to the problem.
Common reasons for toilet tank not filling
Problem with water supply- the first thing that the plumber will check after finding out that water is not filling in the tank is the water supply. When the water supply is low or there is some problem with the water supply line then it might stop water from accumulating into the tank. There are instances when the water supply might be shut for some reason and by turning on this supply, your toilet tank will start filling on its own. But when even after turning on the supply, the water does not get filled up then there might be any leakage in the water supply line. When there is a minor leak, then the water might get filled slowing but if the leakage is big then it is important calling plumber is the only solution to check the problem and stop the leakage further.
Too low fill valve- when you notice that the cistern in your bathroom is not filling after every use then it might be due to the low fill valve. The reason for this problem is when the trip lever chain gets stuck under flapper making it difficult for water to fill in the tank. It can be a major inconvenience for the homeowners as they are unable to use the toilet. A faulty fill valve can also be the reason for water not filling adequately and even when the fill valve is blocked or worn out then the problem will persist with the toilet. Incomplete or slow refilling of tank is an indication that there is some problem with the fill valve that needs to be fixed quickly. for ensuring proper functioning of the toilet, it is important to check the water supply and also look for any obstruction in the fill valve that is causing issues with the water filling.
Old water pipes- the cistern in your toilet might not be filling at the right time when you have old water pipes. This problem is very common in old homes because the water pipes are damaged, worn out and clogged resulting in this plumbing problem. Any problem with the water supply line can be handled by professional plumber who will use these skills and expertise for finding the root cause of the problem. The plumber will try to remove the blockage from the supply line and even after that if the problem does not get addressed then replacing the entire supply line is the last resort. A leak test is the best way of determining the exact location of leakage in the water supply line so that the problem can be fixed easily without causing further inconvenience.
Waterlogged float ball- after finding out that the problem does not lie in the water supply line or the fill valve, the next thing that you will need to do is to inspect the float ball. This is an important device that is present inside the toilet tank and its proper functioning is very important so that the tank gets filled easily without any issues. the primary function of this float ball is to set tank fill level and if there is a lot of water in the tank then the float might sink inside resulting in stopping of the water flow into the tank. Slow filling tank or if the tank is not filling at all then it might be due to waterlogged float ball and for this you will need to install a new float ball for the toilet to function as efficiently as new. Hiring licensed and qualified plumber is the most cost effective way of handling the problem efficiently so that it does not lead to any serious issues.
Water pressure issue- when your toilet is facing a problem due to water pressure issue then it will prevent the toilet tank from filling adequately. This is the reason why it is important to inspect every component of the plumbing system when you find that the tank is not filling. Since every component is interconnected with each other, any problem with one component can make the entire toilet to malfunction. Low water pressure can lead to slow cistern filling and there are many causes of this problem which includes sediment buildup in pipes, defective supply valve or problem with the water supply. The cistern filling rate can be improved by addressing any of these issues but even after that if you find that the tank is not filling properly then you will need to contact a reliable and reputable plumbing company.
Issue with the flapper- the flapper plays a crucial role in stopping the toilet tank from being empty without flushing. This is the most important component of the toilet that needs to be in good condition for the proper functioning of the entire toilet. When the chain inside the tank gets caught in the flapper then it results in flushing of entire water or the water tank not filling adequately. The flapper valve is always functioning optimally for a well-functioning toilet but damaged or worn out flapper can prevent the tank from filling with water. Over time, when the flapper becomes old, you will need to get it replaced so that it does not interrupt the proper functioning of the entire toilet. When the problem is with the flapper chain, you will have to replace the chain or shorten it so that it does not interrupt the smooth functioning of the tank in your toilet. When you are unable to replace the flapper or its chain, it is best option that you contact a reliable plumber who will help you in fixing the issue efficiently.
No incoming water- the reason why the tank is not filling is due to absence of incoming water and there might be some problem with the other components that is stopping the water from entering into the tank. You need to check the incoming water line that will help you know the exact area where the problem lies. Low water pressure might also prevent water from filling and you might have to wait for some times before the water gets filled up inside the tank. Resolving this issue also need professional intervention because only professional plumbers will be able to determine the problem and resolve it expertly. Adequate water is needed for the tank to get filled quickly after every flush but when water is not present then it can cause problem for the entire toilet. Make sure to check every component to find the problem area so that the solution can be achieved with hiring the right professionals for the plumbing project.
Cracked overflow tube- this is also a very common problem that prevents the toilet tank from filling on its own. The overflow tube is present inside the tank which is responsible for water level regulation and it also prevents overflow of water from inside the tank. But when the overflow tube is cracked or broken, it will stop the tank from filling and it can become a major inconvenience for the entire family. When the overflow tube is damaged, it can lead to water leakage and hence the tank cannot be filled due to this reason. A plumber is the right professional who can help you in fixing this important component of the toilet so that the problem will be resolved at the earliest.
Reasons to hire a reputable and reliable plumbing company
After flushing when your toilet tank does not fill on your own then you should contact a plumbing company that will inspect your system to find the root cause of the problem. Regardless of the problem with any of these components, you will need professional assistance to handle the problem in an efficient manner. For maintaining a good and healthy home, it is crucial that your toilet is also working in an optimal manner so that it does not impact the homeowners. You can get exceptional plumbing services from experienced and skilled plumbers who are present to help you in every kind of plumbing problems. This is the best way of enhancing the lifespan and functionality of your toilet so that it will add value to your entire property. With proper inspection, repair and maintenance, your toilet will work efficiently for many years to come. You will never face problem with the toilet tank in near future once it is repaired by professional plumbers.
