8 reasons why your toilet tank does not fill and what to do (2023)

Is your bathroom tank not filling properly? If so, you are undoubtedly facing great inconveniences. Although these problems are common, you need to fix them as soon as possible. Not all toilet tank problems require you to call oneprofessional plumber– sometimes you can read somethingBathroom instruction manualsonline and just fix them yourself.

In this article you will find the top eight reasons for aBath tank does not fill upand what you need to do for each of them. But before that, let's take a look at exactly how a toilet works. You need to know the basics to successfully determine the cause of the problem at hand.

How does a bathroom work?

Toilet tanks are designed to automatically fill with water with each flush. It typically takes about ten seconds to fill a tank completely, and the water level should be just below the overflow pipe. The tank has many moving parts that keep it working - even if just one of them fails, it can cause the entire tank to stop working properly.

When you flush, a handle arm pulls a chain that connects to the flush valve and the valve in the tank. This will pour all the water contained in the tank into the toilet bowl. Once the tank is completely empty, the flap will cover the drain hole again and water will start entering the tank to refill it. A mechanism called a float ball determines when the tank is refilled.

8 reasons why a toilet tank won't fill up

Because the toilet tank has so many different moving parts, the chances of one of them failing is pretty high. If you're having problems with your toilet tank, the first thing you need to do is determine what's causing them. Below are the eight most common reasons your toilet tank won't fill with water.

While some of them are not complex and can be fixed relatively easily, others require you to seek professional help.

Before you start analyzing the problem, make yourself familiar with itdifferent parts of a toilet tank. Look up a chart online - it will be extremely helpful if you work your way down the list below.

#1. Poorly adjusted inflation valve

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The fill valve is a series of hoses that regulate when a toilet tank fills or stops. Depending on the age and type of cistern, the filling valve can look significantly different. However, if not adjusted properly, it can cause the tank to not fill up properly. Locate it and look for dirt or other obstructions inside the pipe.

Also check that the filler valve is installed correctly and has no visible cracks. It shouldn't leak water - if it does, you'll need to replace it with a new one. If the fill valve is intact, the problem could be that it is too tight and is not allowing the tank to fill properly.

Check that the fill valve has a screw at the top that controls the amount of water that enters. Turning it clockwise allows more water to enter as the tank fills. Sometimes, instead of a screw, there is a clip on the side of the inflation valve. Adjust the amount of water by sliding up for more and down for less.

#two. low water pressure

If your toilet tank fills up so slowly that it feels like it's not filling at all, you may have a problem with your water pressure. In fact, low pressure can be a big problem not only for the bathroom, but also for the shower, sink, and other appliances. Low water pressure is usually the result of a faulty water pump. If you live on the top floors of a taller building, you may also have problems with your water pressure.

Unfortunately, you cannot fix this problem yourself. The best solution is to install abooster pump, this is a job that only a professional plumber can perform.

#3. broken toilet

A cracked or damaged toilet can cause water leaks that prevent the toilet tank from filling properly. Sometimes the cracks are small and located at the back of the toilet so you can't see the water collecting on the floor. If you suspect your toilet has cracked, make sure you don't use the bathroom until the problem is fixed. It can collapse under you and flood your bathroom.

A broken toilet must be replaced with a new one as soon as possible. Before contacting a professional, make sure that the water supply to the bathroom is shut off. You can do this on the valve that connects the bathroom itself to the plumbing, or on the main valve throughout the bathroom. Remember that damage to the toilet can get worse if not fixed in time, so don't delay in replacing it.

#4. Worn flap valve

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The flap valve is responsible for ensuring that the water in the tank does not run into the toilet when not flushed. It's a small rubber valve located at the very bottom of the toilet tank. If it's not working properly, it will affect the ability to fill the tank and can even cause the toilet to run constantly. There are a few things that can go wrong with a flapper valve - let's look at the most common scenarios.

The flapper valve is usually held in place by a chain. However, if this chain becomes misplaced and gets caught under the valve, it will prevent it from sealing properly. In addition, the chain can become worn or damaged - in this case you will have to replace it with a new one.

On some sanitary tanks, the chain is just too long and can't hold the check valve in place properly. In this case you will have to shorten it or replace it with a smaller chain.

The non-return valve itself, like all other parts in the cistern, can wear out. When the check valve hardens, it cannot seal properly, resulting in the toilet tank malfunctioning.

The only thing you can do in such cases is to replace it with a new one. Although this is not a difficult task, you can leave it to professional plumbing services such as:https://www.lexsplumbing.com/- it all depends on your confidence when it comes to plumbing repairs.

#5. Damaged deactivation lever

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Another common cause of a toilet tank not filling is a faulty trigger lever assembly. In most of these cases, the part that connects to the handle has come loose due to corrosion or other damage. You can locate the problem by removing the toilet tank lid and examining the actuator lever assembly. The problem can be easily fixed by getting a new part and replacing it.

It's always a good idea to take a picture of the problem and show it to the folks at your local hardware store. They usually know exactly what it takes to fix the problem. If you don't want to do the replacement yourself, you can always call a plumber. A professional will have the parts and tools needed to properly replace your damaged deployment handle.

#6. Floating arm or broken or misaligned ball

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On many sanitary tanks, the fill valve is controlled by a float arm and ball system. If these components are damaged or worn out, it is most likely causing the toilet tank to not fill. While setting up the floating arm and ball system is fairly easy, there are a number of ways problems can arise. Additionally, you can take care of almost all of the associated issues yourself as floating arm and ball kits are available at most hardware stores.

Sometimes the float arm is not properly adjusted and will not allow water to enter the tank. You can easily fix this by simply bending your arm up, which will take the ball to a new level. Some float and ball arm systems have screws that you have to wiggle to adjust the height. Feel free to experiment with different positions until you find what works best for you.

If the arm or ball is worn out or broken, simply replace them. As already mentioned, you can get replacement parts at any hardware store. Floating arm and ball systems are generally easy to install. However, if you don't want to do this yourself, hire a professional plumber.

#7. Damaged overflow pipe

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The overflow pipe is a large pipe that carries excess water from the toilet box to the toilet bowl to prevent overflow. It sits right in the middle of the toilet tank and is essentially a part of the flush valve. If the overflow pipe is damaged, the toilet tank will not fill while the water flows into the toilet without interruption. If this is the problem then your only option is to replace it with a new one.

Fortunately, you can solve this problem yourself relatively easily. Simply remove the overflow pipe and put the replacement in its place. Of course you need to make sure that the new hose is the same size as the old one. Alternatively, you can simply replace the entire wastegate mechanism.

#8th. Problem with the water supply

If your toilet tank seems fine but isn't filling up like it should, you may have a larger water supply problem. The first thing you should do is check the main valve that connects the water supply to your toilet. Are you in the open position?

You'd be surprised how often this is the cause of the toilet tank not filling. The valve may have been accidentally closed by workers or children. If the valve is open, the problem could be more general.

Make sure the bathroom sink is working properly. If there is no water either, your building's general water supply may be disrupted. Check with your neighbors and local water authorities to ensure water is actually entering the building.

If your house is getting water but it's not getting into the bathroom, it means you have a massive clog or leak in your indoor plumbing.

Dealing with such complex plumbing issues should only be done by licensed professionals. If this is the reason your toilet tank isn't filling, contact a local plumbing contractor. Experts know how to proceed and solve the problem.

Diploma

So there you have it – the eight most common reasons why you don’t fill your toilet tank and what you can do about it. While some of these issues may seem easy to fix, make sure you do your research.

You don't want to make the problem worse or accidentally flood the entire bathroom. If you don't feel comfortable doing plumbing repairs, simply call a professional and let them do the job for you.

By hiring professional plumbing services, you can rest assured that they will find the root cause of your plumbing problems, rather than just implementing a "quick fix". In the long run, this can ensure your plumbing is running smoothly and can save you money on a number of regular repairs.

If you are in the Sutton Coldfield area and need a plumber, contact 2nd City! They are industry experts with many years of professional experience. This way you can ensure that the work is done correctly, efficiently and to the highest possible standard. For more information on specialized plumbing work, visithttps://2ndcitygasplumbingandheating.co.uk/plumber-sutton-coldfield.