We’ve all been there, and it isn’t a pleasant place. We’re not talking about toilets en général. We’re talking about toilets taking forever to fill. Flush once, and everything is alright. Try flushing the toilet for the second time a couple of minutes later, and nothing’s good: just a little water comes out, and that’s it. You’re stuck with a dirty toilet unless you’ve got a washbowl nearby that you can fill with water and do something you’d call a DIY flush. However, the first thing you should think about once you’ve taken care of the DIY flush is why this is happening and how can I fix it? In the article you’re about to read, we’ll introduce you to the common reasons why your toilet is slow to fill. Stick around for pretty useful info!
You’re dealing with a low water level
This might be the most common of the most common reasons why your toilet is slow to fill. That’s right, there is a pretty good chance your toilet has issues with flushing because the water level inside the tank’s just too low. Needless to say, if there isn’t enough water in your tank for proper flushing, the flushing power of your toilet will be greatly reduced. In other words: you will have to deal with the limited force flowing into your toilet.
Anyway, in normal conditions, the pressure that is created by a full tank would provide enough power to flush your toilet’s contents away into the drain. However, if there isn’t enough water inside it, it’s most likely that some of the waste will choose to “stay a bit longer,” leaving you with no other options than to wait and flush the toilet once it’s ready to be flushed again.
So, how does it fix the issue? Typically, you can deal with the problem by simply switching the level of the toilet float in the toilet tank. It sits on top of the water surface inside the tank and automatically shuts off the fill valve once the level of liquid reaches a point you’ve set. So simply adjust the toile float in order to get more water streaming into the tank before the so-called fill valve shuts off. That way, you will most probably enhance the flushing power of your trusty toilet.
You’ve got a partially clogged drain
Of course, a clogged toilet isn’t so hard to spot. That’s because it’s one of the most common plumbing issues folks around the country deal with. Many people use the plunger on a weekly basis, so… Anyway, a partially clogged drain might not be that easy to notice. And that’s because your toilet will still flush. Just not like in the good old’ times. In other words: it will flush, but with significantly reduced efficiency. Here we’ll show you how to work your way around a (partially) clogged drain and restore your toilet to its previous glory!
The first you will want to do is to simply try plunging your toilet. Most probably, it will take care of the issue since plungers often produce enough force to take care of any clogs (whether partial or not). However, if this doesn’t work out, we have got another suggestion. You might want to use a so-called drain snake. The thing is: certain items like floss or wipes can find their safe spot inside your drain line. Now, if you can’t take care of the issue yourself or it seems you’re not doing something right, your best bet would be to contact a professional plumbing company. There’s just no doubt about it.
Your toilet is slow to fill because minerals have built up
You might already know this, but the water flows from the tank and into your toilet bowl through a set of jet holes that are placed on the underside of your toilet bowl rim. Now, these holes aren’t big at all. Therefore, they could easily clog up or end up partially blocked, thus blocking the force of your flush. If you’re “sporting” an old toilet, various minerals like calcium or magnesium can easily settle in these holes and, of course, sabotage the water flowing. We’ve heard about this from the folks at roadwaymoving.com, and they’re used to seeing old toilets in homes they’re relocating. It is one of the most common plumbing issues in old homes, they add.
How you’ll take care of this? Simply utilize some distilled white vinegar and a stiff-bristle toilet brush to handle the issue and deal with the minerals that have built up. Additionally, you might want to think about installing a so-called water softener so you can guarantee you won’t see much of this issue in the future.
Blocked drain vent
Last but not least on our list of common reasons why your toilet is slow to fill—of course, you’ve guessed it by the title, the issue of a blocked drain vent. Most folks don’t realize this, but the drain lines that force the flow of wastewater inside your home directly towards the septic system are installed with vents that typically run all the way to the roof. Thus, they allow gasses to leave your home instead of building up inside your piping. Needless to say, that would make your home smell a bit, well, extraordinary. Not only do these vents help with the smell and everything we’ve mentioned above. They also allow the air to flow through the waste lines. That way, they provide a free wastewater flow through your home’s piping system. Now, these blocked vent lines will most definitely have a negative effect on the flushing power of your toilet. Trust us, you’ll want to react instantly (not just because of the smell). Thinking about going DIY here? Well, you better think again. Clearing these vents can be extremely difficult since you’ll need to access the vents through your roof. That being said, your best bet is to call up professional plumbers. They’ll provide you with all the assistance you deserve!
