Is your toilet tank making funny noises? Is it all of a sudden not filling up or perpetually running? You probably have an issue causing your toilet tank to be empty. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to flush after using the bathroom, and nothing is happening.
In this quick guide, we will explore some of the many reasons that your toilet tank may be empty, as well as solutions.
How A Toilet Tank Works
Before we get started explaining away your toilet's problems, it is important to understand how your toilet works. Most of what makes your toilet work is inside the tank. Some key components include:
- Fill Valve
- Float
- Flush Valve
- Flapper
- Overflow Tube
In operation, when the toilet is not being used, the tank is filled with water through the fill valve until the float reaches the appropriate level and triggers the fill valve to shut off. When the user flushes the toilet, the flush valve opens and allows water to rush into the bowl. This water creates a siphoning effect, pulling waste out of the bowl and into the drain pipe.
Once the tank is empty, the flapper falls back into place, sealing the flush valve and preventing water from flowing back into the tank. The fill valve then opens again, refilling the tank with water until the float reaches the appropriate level and triggers the fill valve to shut off once more.
Why Is My Tank Not Filling?
Now that you know how a toilet tank works, it's time to begin diagnosing why your toilet tank will not fill up. There are only a few things that can go wrong, and generally, it is because something needs to be replaced or updated.
1. Fill Valve Problems
Your fill valve is a very important part of the operation of your toilet. It controls the flow of water into your tank after you flush your toilet. Over time, the fill valve wears down and can slip out of place. When the valve isn't in the right spot, you can readjust it to ensure that your water levels are correct.
Adjusting your fill valve may be an easy process and may not require a plumber. Before you get started, make sure to turn off the water supply to the toilet. Typically, the shut-off valve is located close by and can easily be closed by turning it clockwise.
Once you have shut off the water supply, remove the tank lid and locate the fill valve. The fill valve is typically located on the left side of the tank, and if it has a float attached to it, you can adjust the float by twisting the metal rod.
Turn the water supply back on and let the tank fill with water. However, you may have a newer design with no floats to adjust or exposed metal rods. In that event, give us a call for assistance. The water level should not exceed the manufacturer's suggested “full” level marked in the tank or overflow tube. If the water level is too high or too low, it must be adjusted.
2. Defective Toilet Lever
The flush handle on the outside of the tank is connected to a trip lever on the interior. If the internal trip level fails, the toilet will not flush, and the tank will not fill. Unfortunately, most trip lever issues necessitate the purchase of a new lever.
Checking to see whether or not your toilet lever is working is fairly simple. To find the lever, remove your toilet tank lid and look for the trip lever, which extends from the handle. It is often a metal or plastic rod that is connected to your flapper with a chain.
Fixing a toilet lever can be a bit complicated. Because it is an interconnected component to your toilet, repair may necessitate a plumber's help. However, it can possibly be done if you have time and the correct tools.
3. Worn Out Float Ball
Some older toilets may have an object called a float ball in the tank. This little float sits on top of the water and tells the tank how high your water level should be. Because the float ball dictates where your water level should be, it must be at an appropriate level.
To adjust your float ball, you simply slide your finger beneath the float arm and lift it upwards until the float ball is at the desired water level. If that does not solve the problem, then you may need to head over to your local plumbing supply to get a new one.
Barlow Plumbing - Your Trust Choice For Plumbing In Western North Carolina
Toilet tank issues are a fact of life, and you will inevitably run into them from time to time. Being prepared with some basic knowledge about how your toilet works and the issues that your toilet tank may have can go a long way. However, sometimes toilet tank issues may be more complicated and require the expertise of a professional plumber.
If toilet tank repair isn’t your thing, Barlow Plumbing has you covered. We have been serving as Buncombe County’s trusted plumbing professionals for decades. We have all of the qualifications needed to effectively repair your toilet tank or any other plumbing issues.
Our team is ready to help you with your bathroom plumbing challenges. Contact the professional plumbers at Barlow Plumbing today!