3 Reasons Why Your Toilet Fills Slowly
Have you realised it takes a while for you toilet tank to fill up with water? Find out why in our guide to the three most common reasons why!
Don’t you hate it when your toilet takes an eternity to fill up? Not only is it annoying, but it can also lead to a pretty unhygienic and messy situation.
After clearing your bowels, sitting and waiting for the toilet to fill up - so that you can flush it correctly - can be disgusting and frustrating. And if you need to spend half the morning in the toilet doing this, it will ruin the rest of your day.
It is in your best interests to get to the bottom of this problem as soon as possible. Once you determine its cause, addressing the issue becomes relatively easy.
Keeping that in mind, we have discussed the most common reasons behind a slow-filling toilet tank. So, if you are facing such a problem and want to fix it, keep reading below.
In most cases, a clogged pipe is the biggest culprit behind a slow-filling toilet. It generally occurs when small objects or debris get stuck in the pipes, obstructing water flow.
A typical toilet consists of numerous pipes that manage the flow of water. One among them is the water inlet pipe that helps fill the tank.
The toilet is connected to the water mains of your house. So, if pipes become clogged, the toilet will take a long time.
It’s important to note that a slow-filling toilet usually means the pipelines have become partially clogged. And if they are entirely clogged, the toilet tank will not fill up.
You can try pouring boiling water through the pipes to clear the clog. Alternatively, you can pour vinegar and baking soda down the plumbing lines.
You can also combine these methods to achieve the best results. First, pour the baking soda and vinegar mixture through the pipe, then follow it with hot water.
If these solutions don’t work, try using a high-pressure water jet or drain snake to remove stubborn blockages.
A damaged water supply valve or a faulty fill valve can cause your toilet to fill up slowly. The fill valve, the ballcock, controls the water flow into the tank. Over time, minerals can build up on fill valves and cause them to leak, requiring more water to fill the tank. A waterlogged float ball that is slow to rise can also lead to a fill valve staying open too long. If the toilet is filling slowly or taking longer than normal, inspect the condition of the fill valve and float ball.
Replacing a worn, leaky fill valve and clearing debris from a stuck float ball can resolve slow-filling issues. Catching and replacing a malfunctioning toilet fill valve prevents wasted water and higher bills. At the first sign that your toilet is filling slowly or taking too long to refill between flushes, check the fill valve and float ball for damage. Replacing worn toilet parts ensures optimal fill levels and flush power.
Of course, a damaged or leaky component causes a lot of water wastage and makes your toilet slow. This, in turn, ramps up your water bills drastically, so you do not have the luxury of ignoring this problem.
To resolve this issue, you must find the leaky or damaged component and replace it with a new one. You could also try fixing the leakage with sealing tape or some plumber’s putty. However, this is not a long-term solution since the tape or putty may wear off over time.
That said, if the damage is significant, you have to go for a replacement. Luckily enough, these pipes and water supply valves are quite easily available and are not that expensive.
A fault in the plumbing system is another big reason behind a slow-filling toilet. For instance, if one of the joints in the plumbing system of your toilet is not firmly secured, the water may start leaking out of it.
Likewise, the water flow will be affected if the pipes are too narrow or not appropriately aligned. This, in turn, will cause the toilet tank to fill up slowly.
If a loose joint causes the issue, it can be resolved by adequately securing it. Tighten the nuts along the pipeline with a wrench and seal the joints with a bit of plumber’s putty.
Also, check the pipes thoroughly before you start using them again. If any pipes are misaligned, you can identify and resolve the problem accordingly.
In the case of narrow pipes, you will have no choice but to replace them with wider ones.
So, now you know the most common reasons behind a slow toilet. For your convenience, we have provided a suitable solution alongside each cause so that you can start troubleshooting them without wasting any time.
However, we understand if you might be feeling a bit unsure about doing it on your own. Not everyone is a DIY expert; if you aren’t one, you can seek help from an experienced plumber.
They will do the job flawlessly for you in exchange for a small fee. And before you know it, your toilet will be as good as new! If you are in Melbourne, there is no better team of plumbers than the experts at WP Plumbing. We have eco-friendly, long-term, affordable plumbing solutions for your toilet issues. So don’t hesitate to contact us!
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