In a post-pandemic world, you never know when you might end up needing some plumbing skills of your own. But when it comes to a malfunctioning toilet, things can be a mystery to you. You can keep asking yourself- why is my toilet bowl not filling up with water? There can be a bunch of reasons for this problem.
But still, things can be very confusing. You might find your toilet flushing all by itself all of a sudden. And other times, you might not even be able to stop the flushing. As a result, you won't find enough water in the toilet bowl at all.
This is a problem that you must fix as soon as possible. Throughout this article, we will check some possible reasons for the toilet bowl not refilling after flush. And we will also find the solutions to the problems right away.
Why is Toilet Bowl Not Filling with Water after Flush?
Toilet not filling with water after the flush is a significant problem. It requires quick fixing. And most importantly, knowing the reasons for low water in the toilet bowl is crucial.
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In most cases, a little technical skill should be enough to fix the low water level in the toilet bowl. It will save you a lot of money. And your technical experience will improve to prevent further future damages.
So, why isn't my toilet bowl filling up with water? We're sure you are still asking yourself this question.
Here are 5 reasons behind the toilet tank not filling with water after a flush with their solutions.
Reason 1: Faulty Toiler Flapper
Sometimes, water might resist going from the tank to the toilet bowl. This can happen due to a faulty flapper. The flapper is responsible for maintaining the water flow from tank to bowl. You can find it in the toilet tank's lowest portion.
There is a sagging chain in between the flush handle and flapper. This chain might become loose and prevent a proper seal. As a result, the flapper will fail to seal the outlet tube. This happens when the chain becomes too tight or saggy.
You can solve this problem in 2 ways.
Solution 1
The water outflow may be an outcome of dirt and debris. All you have to do to prevent this is clean the area surrounding the outflow opening of the tank. If this doesn't work, you will have to look to the second solution.
Solution 2
The second solution to this problem is to change the toilet flapper completely. First, empty the tank by closing the shut-off switch. After that, remove the lid carefully and also the chain.
Now, redraw the flapper and clean the area. Then install a new flapper and reconnect the chain with the new flapper.
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Finally, reopen the water supply switch and put the lid back in its place.
Reason 2: A Faulty Overflow Tube
A damaged overflow tube is also responsible for the toilet bowl not filling all the way. It prevents appropriate flushing as toilet bowls cannot retain adequate water.
You will find the overflow tube in the center of the toilet tank. It is a flush valve's part.
Solution
The best solution to solve this problem is to replace the overflow tube. The process is very straightforward. All you have to do is replace the old overflow tube and add a new one to the flush valve. Also, make sure to replace the old tube with a new one at the exact spot.
Reason 3: Low Water Pressure
If the water pipe is leaking, water is obviously not filling up in the toilet bowl. The solution for this problem is pretty simple as well.
Solution
The solution to the problem is straightforward when the problem is with a leaking pipe. All you have to do is replace the damaged pipe with a new one.
But the situation can turn problematic when the apartment's pipe or the building's pipe is faulty. That is when you will need the help of a professional plumber.
Reason 4: A Malfunctioning Fill Valve
The fill valve is a very important part of the toilet. It connects the toilet tank with the water supply system.
Whenever there is a lack of water in the tank, the fill valve opens for water to get in. Once the water level is at its optimum level, the valve closes. Thus, you can understand that the fill valve regulates the water level inside the tank.
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A malfunctioning fill valve cannot regular proper water flow. This can happen due to debris or the expiration of the valve. We have 2 solutions for both.
Solution 1
The first thing you can try is to fix the valve. Begin the process by stopping the water supply. After that, use one hand to hold the valve shaft and the other one to hold the valve cap.
Then, turn the cap counterclockwise. Now, clean the open valve and remove any debris. After you are done cleaning, reconstruct the whole thing back to its old position.
Solution 2
This solution involves replacing the valve completely. Begin the process by stopping the water supply. After that, turn the valve lock counterclockwise to remove it.
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Once you remove the valve, clean the area for the new valve to sit on. Insert the new valve lock and rotate it clockwise. Then, reopen the water supply and refill the bowl.
Reason 5: A Closed Supply Valve
This is a very common reason behind the toilet bowl not filling up after flushing. You will find a supply valve behind the toilet tank. It might be mistakenly turned off. As a result, the water flow gets blocked.
Solution
You can easily fix the closed supply valve by opening it. If your toilet system is a push/pull one, push the supply valve to work properly again.
But your toilet system can also have a turning variant. If this is the case, just rotate the valve counterclockwise. This will open the supply valve without any problem.
Conclusion
There are some common reasons for the toilet bowl not filling with water after flush. We have looked at 5 of them. Now you also know how to solve them.
Despite that, a plumber can always help you out. If you are confused about something, you can always seek professional help. And when it comes to matters of your abode, there should not be any compromise.
You can solve the issue by yourself. However, if you want to discuss it with an expert and get a recommendation, check out our second opinion service. We also have experienced plumbing experts who are ready to serve you. You check our plumbing service here. Understand how ChoreStop works here.
Frequently Asked Questions :
Why Does My Toilet Not Fill Up with Water after Flushing?
There could be many reasons why the toilet doesn't fill up with water after flushing. One of the most common ones is a low float. Solving it can get rid of the problem easily.
How Do I Fix Low Water Level in Toilet Bowl?
Fixing a low water level in the toilet bowl can be a simple task. But for this, you will need to know about the possible reasons behind it. Our article talks about all the reasons and provides solutions to them as well.
Why Does It Take So Long for My Toilet Tank to Fill Up?
The fill valve inside your toilet tank controls the water level. When you have a faulty fill valve, it can take time for water to fill the toilet tank.
How Do I Know If My Toilet Fill Valve is Bad?
When you notice the toilet tank taking too long to fill up with water, you will know that the fill valve is bad. In such a situation, the fill valve will also make a very low and humming sound.
How Do You Increase Water Flow in Toilet?
There are many ways to increase the water flow in the toilet. All you have to do is find out the problem and carry out the solution accordingly.
Can a Toilet Unclog Itself?
Yes, a toilet can unclog itself. But for this, the clogging material must be regular debris like tissues or feces. It can take as much as 24 hours for a toilet to unclog itself.
Does a Slow-Filling Toilet Wastewater?
If there is a leak, the slow-filling toilet can waste more water. But you will have to find out the problem behind the slow filling. There might not be any wastewater if there is no leak.
