Of all the household problems we run into, a malfunctioning toilet is one of the most annoying. The bathroom, like the kitchen, is an essential part of every home and we’d all rather it run smoothly. One very common issue we may face in the bathroom is a toilet that takes too long to fill. With the right tools and knowledge you can fix this problem and get your toilet running well once again.
The tools you’ll need for this repair include channel-lock pliers, plumber’s tape, bucket, and a sponge or towels. Before you get to work on that slow-filling toilet issue, make sure the water valve that turns the flow on is fully open. Check that the water line is free of debris. You may have to clear the calcium buildup inside the valve and turn the handle to shut off the flow. Turn it counterclockwise to open, open until it stops and shut off the valve and detach with channel-lock pliers. Next, you will insert the fill line into the bucket and turn on the water, waiting until it runs clear of debris. Reattach fill line to the tank and then reopen the valve.
The natural next step is to flush the toilet to check the water flow, and it is important to have a good towel or sponge around to mop up any spills. While this last step will sometimes solve the problem, it may not always. If it does not, replace the water fill line running from the cold-water valve to the toilet. You may find that the issue is mineral build up in the flexible line – i.e. the cause of hard water. Turn the cold-water valve off, by turning its handle clockwise. Detach the fill line as before with the channel-lock pliers, placing a bucket under the line to catch any water that leaks. Use plumber’s tape on threads that connect the water lines, as it helps prevent leaks.
Typically, these two solutions will solve the problem in most cases of a slow-filling toilet. However, if they do not solve the issue, check to see if the float is waterlogged by flushing the toilet and watching how the components work. You may see that tank does not immediately fill with water, or fills very slowly. For most people, at this point, you are tempted to call a professional instead of continue to try various solutions yourself. Especially if you do not have much expertise, calling a professional before your toilet’s issues become too hairy, and too costly.
For larger, more inconvenient problems, find a 24/7 emergency plumbing expert to help – although it is best to avoid getting to that. Finding a local and reliable plumber in your area is crucial when you are not adapt with the knowledge and tools to fix even the simplest toilet repairs. Whether you need help in your residence or are having plumbing trouble and need commercial plumbing services, hiring someone to do the job you aren’t equipped for is the best situation for everyone.