5 Reasons Why Your Toilet Tank Is Not Filling Up

If your toilet tank doesn’t fill after flushing, this could be because its fill valve float is too low – an easily fixable problem by taking the right steps. If your toilet tank isn’t functioning properly, or you’re dealing with any other plumbing issue in Manassas, VA, you can rely on the team at Clover Services.

1. The Float Is Too Low

If your tank isn’t filling after turning on the water, there may be an issue with either your freshwater line or pressure. First, ensure the shut-off valve is closed; then, use a wrench to loosen the lock nut connecting the mainline to your toilet’s shut-off valve.

After disconnecting the refill tube from the overflow pipe and detaching its internal float (which resembles a large plastic ball or tabbed float), adjust its height by twisting upward. It should only take minutes and could save you from calling in a plumber!

2. The Supply Line Is Leaking

Your toilet tank might not be filling as expected for various reasons, including a leaking water supply line. Your supply line consists of a thin chrome steel or white-colored hose located behind or underneath your toilet that draws freshwater from its source at your wall or floor to your tank – if your tank isn’t filling up as intended, check its shut-off valve; if it turns off, turn it clockwise to restore water flow.

If the leak is located around fittings, tightening the nut may help. But if it extends further upstream and into your water pipes, we advise calling in an expert plumber who will likely offer cost-effective repairs that won’t break the bank.

3. The Water Pressure Is Too High

If your toilet tank takes longer to fill up than normal or keeps flushing after use, or is continually flushing after you use it, your water pressure could be too high. Excessive pressure can push seals and washers out of position resulting in faster plumbing breakdown.

Adjusting the water pressure in your home is typically accomplished by turning a knob on your water valve, or by using a plunger on your toilet tank overflow tube and clearing away any sediment from its overflow tube, or by clearing away an object that’s blocking an inlet hole. 

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, having a plumber install a water pressure gauge may be needed so that you can easily recognize when water pressure becomes excessively high – and adjust accordingly by turning down the valve or changing a setting on its knob.

4. The Flush Valve Is Broken

If the float arm and ball float are both functioning normally and set at their appropriate levels, your toilet tank may still not fill due to an issue with its flush valve – an easy fix that you can perform yourself.

Use a supply line wrench to turn off the water to your toilet, remove its supply line, and place its end in a bucket in order to inspect for possible clogs in the pipe; this could indicate that there’s an aging fill valve which must be addressed immediately.

First, replace the fill valve on a toilet, turn off its water source and drain. Remove the tank cap, locate and unscrew the lock nut at the base of its fill valve, and lift straight up on its fill valve to access.

5. The Water Level Sensor Is Broken

A broken water level sensor could be to blame if your toilet tank isn’t filling up even though its float and flush valve are working correctly. This issue often occurs with older models but can quickly be resolved!

First, turn off the water supply to your toilet by turning the valve clockwise. Next, open up the lid on your toilet and look inside for the fill valve – you should find an adjustable screw and turn it clockwise to raise it, which will let more water into your tank. 

Flush your toilet as a test to see if that works; if not flushing is still not filling it properly then contact a plumber – they will check for blockages or other issues and help get it working again so your tank fills.

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash