Fix a Slow Filling Toilet Tank
Bathroom Improvements

The 5 Simple Steps to Fix a Slow Filling Toilet Tank

There’s nothing more frustrating than a slow-filling toilet tank. And with today’s fast-paced lifestyles and crazy schedules, we’re always in a rush to get everything done. So when our toilet tank seems to take forever to fill up, it can really frustrate us!

And if you’re like most people, you probably don’t know the first thing about fixing a slow-filling toilet tank. But don’t worry, we’re going to show you the 5 simple steps to fix a slow filling toilet tank you need to take to get your tank flowing again. Keep reading to learn how.

Step 1: Check the Flapper

Before we even get into the nitty-gritty details of fixing a slow-filling toilet tank, we need to first have a look at the flapper valve itself. If there’s a problem with it, the tank may not be able to fill properly at all.

The first thing to check is to make sure the flapper is working properly. If the toilet is filled with water but the flapper is not shut, the tank will fill past the level that’s supposed to be there. So if your toilet is taking longer to fill than usual, the first thing you should do is turn off the water, shut the supply off at the valve, and open the flapper.

This will show us whether or not the valve is working correctly. If the flapper is stuck open, there are a few things you can try.

Fix a Slow Filling Toilet Tank
Image Source: insider .com

One of those things is to try tightening the bolts on the flapper so it’s less likely to stick open. The other thing you can try is to apply pressure to the flapper using a rag or your hand to release any tension that may be causing it to stick open.

If the flapper is stuck shut, there’s not much we can do here except try to gently open it with a flathead screwdriver. However, many toilets nowadays have a restrictor plate that keeps the flapper from being opened too far. In this case, you’ll have to replace the toilet.

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Korky 100BP Ultra High Performance Flapper Fits Most Toilets -...
  • MOST UNIVERSAL the High Performance Toilet Flapper is the most universal 2 inch flapper...
  • TOILET FLAPPER VALVE FITS MOST POPULAR 2 inch toilet brands including, but not limited to:...
  • MADE IN USA - Toilet parts flapper is proudly made in America and backed by a 5 year warranty.
  • QUICKLY FIX running and leaking toilets and eliminate costly water waste.
  • HIGH QUALITY REPLACEMENT TOILET PARTS: Need to repair or replace toilet parts? Try Korky Toilet...

Step 2: Make sure nothing’s stuck

The next step is to make sure there aren’t any pieces of hardware or debris inside the tank that are keeping it from filling up. You may be wondering if this is even possible. And the answer is: yes, it is!

If you know exactly where the problem is, you can simply pull out any pieces that may be causing the tank to stop. Otherwise, all you can do is make sure nothing is stuck in the pipes. Some of the most common things that get stuck in toilets are:

The P-trap, a piece of pipe that connects the toilet to the sewer line.

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Image Source: quora .com
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Simple Drain-Flexible Rubber P-Trap Fits 1 1/2" OD AND 1-1/4" OD...
  • Flexible Rubber P-trap Provides an Easy Fix For Mis-aligned Drains
  • Won't leak when bumped like some plastic flexible traps. Stays Flexible over time and won't...
  • Fits 11/2"OD or 11/4"OD sink tailpieces and connects with an included adapter to 11/2"MPT...

The toilet flapper, another piece of pipe that connects the toilet to the water main.

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Korky 100BP Ultra High Performance Flapper Fits Most Toilets -...
  • MOST UNIVERSAL the High Performance Toilet Flapper is the most universal 2 inch flapper...
  • TOILET FLAPPER VALVE FITS MOST POPULAR 2 inch toilet brands including, but not limited to:...
  • MADE IN USA - Toilet parts flapper is proudly made in America and backed by a 5 year warranty.
  • QUICKLY FIX running and leaking toilets and eliminate costly water waste.
  • HIGH QUALITY REPLACEMENT TOILET PARTS: Need to repair or replace toilet parts? Try Korky Toilet...

The toilet handle, which may have come off during installation or have fallen from the wall during use

loosetoilethandle
Image Source: kellermeierplumbing .com
DANCO Toilet Handle Replacement, Chrome, 8 inch, 1-Pack (80806)
  • RELACEMENT TOILET FLUSH LEVER: This Danco Toilet Tank Handle is ideal for updating or replacing...
  • 8 INCH TOILET LEVER LIFT ARM: The toilet handle lift arm is 8 inches in length and has three...
  • COMPATIBILITY: This toilet handle is designed to fit most standard toilets, but it is crucial...
  • BUILT TO LAST: Constructed of durable aluminum with a corrosion resistant finish
  • CHROME FINISH: Classic chrome finish will compliment your existing bathroom décor

The wax seal, which protects the toilet from water damage If you know for sure that something is stuck, you can try pulling on it gently to see if it’s coming out with the flapper or flapper chain attached.

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Image Source: thespruce .com

If it’s not, you’ll have to get a licensed plumber to make sure it stays out. You can also try using a toilet auger to remove anything that’s preventing the tank from filling up.

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Fluidmaster 7530P8 Universal Better Than Wax Toilet Seal,...
  • WAX-FREE TOILET SEAL: Toilet seal gasket offers wax-free solution to installing a toilet on any...
  • UNIVERSAL GASKET: Stackable seal and slide-on spacer fits any 3-inch or 4-inch drain lines with...
  • SECURE SEAL: Seals on uneven floors or over tile floors with recessed flanges; Plunging won't...
  • EASY INSTALLATION: Requires no minimum temperature for installation and can be repositioned...

Step 3: Test the flush valve

Next on our list is to make sure the flush valve is working properly. That way, when you flush the toilet, the water valve on top of the tank will open up and let all the water out. If the flush valve is not working, the toilet will not be able to flush properly.

The water will come back up after it’s flushed, and you’ll have to manually empty it. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of something important. To test the flush valve, turn on the water and flush the toilet. If the valve on top doesn’t work, you won’t be able to flush the toilet and the water will come back up.

Best Toilet Flush Valves in
Image Source: momjunction.com

So why don’t we just flush the toilet every time we turn on the water? Well, there are a few reasons for this. One of the most common reasons is that the valve isn’t working correctly. So before we get into the nitty-gritty details of fixing a slow-filling toilet tank, let’s have a quick look at how the flush valve works.

Fluidmaster 507AKP7 PerforMAX Universal High Performance 2-Inch...
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Fluidmaster 507AKP7 PerforMAX Universal High Performance 2-Inch...
  • ENHANCES YOUR TOILET’S POWER: Toilet fill valve with bolts and gasket replaces old or...
  • UNIVERSAL DESIGN: Fill valve replaces any two-piece toilet flush valve and is ideal for use in...
  • CORROSION RESISTANT: The 502 2-inch flapper features corrosion/hard water-resistant materials
  • EASY INSTALLATION: Easily installs in 10 minutes or less to get your toilet flushing like new...

Step 4: Drain the toilet

v4 460px Drain a Toilet Step 8.jpg
Image Source: wikihow .com

The next step on our list is to drain the toilet. The reason we do this is that it can help us clear any clogs or debris that may be blocking the pipes.

If the tank is full of water, it will help to push water down the pipes so we can get a better idea of what’s wrong. You can do this by placing a bucket underneath the toilet and filling it up with water. Then, let the water run through the pipes until it comes back up through the toilet.

This will help us determine if anything is blocking them. If there’s something that’s preventing the water from coming up, we’ll know it right away when we drain the toilet.

Step 5: Check the P-trap

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Image Source: interior .tn

The final step on our list is to check the P-trap, a pipe that connects the toilet to the sewer line. That way, we can make sure that the water is going down the right pipe.

Here’s how you can do this: Turn off the water and open the flapper so we can look inside the P-trap. If there are any clogs inside the P-trap, they will come to the surface when we open it. So make sure to clear any obstructions from the inside of the P-trap before we open it.

Sale
Simple Drain-Flexible Rubber P-Trap Fits 1 1/2" OD AND 1-1/4" OD...
  • Flexible Rubber P-trap Provides an Easy Fix For Mis-aligned Drains
  • Won't leak when bumped like some plastic flexible traps. Stays Flexible over time and won't...
  • Fits 11/2"OD or 11/4"OD sink tailpieces and connects with an included adapter to 11/2"MPT...

There are a few things you can do if you find anything inside the P-trap. One of those things is to use a toilet auger to remove anything that’s preventing the water from going down the P-trap. You can use this for both the toilet and the P-trap.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve gone over the 5 simple steps to fix a slow filling toilet tank, it’s time for you to put them into practice. If you’ve been dealing with a slow-filling toilet tank, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. You’ve just found out what’s wrong and how to fix it.

Now that you know what’s wrong, you can get right to work on getting it fixed. We highly recommend that you contact a plumber as soon as possible when your toilet is taking longer to fill than usual. The sooner you get it fixed, the better.

Fix a Slow Filling Toilet Tank
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Natasha is the owner of Smart Home Bath, a company that specializes in providing innovative and convenient home automation solutions. With a background in electrical engineering and a passion for making life easier through technology,

Natasha founded Smart Home Bath to help homeowners upgrade their living spaces and improve their daily routines.

Over the years, Natasha has become an expert in the field of smart home technology, and her company has grown to be a trusted source of high-quality products and expert installation services.

Whether you're looking to add voice-controlled lighting, automated temperature control, or any other smart home feature, Natasha and her team at Smart Home Bath have the knowledge and expertise to help you get the most out of your home automation system.

So, if you want to make your home smarter, Natasha and Smart Home Bath are the perfect people to turn to.

Last update on 2023-06-29 at 08:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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