A bathroom issue some of us have experienced is when our toilet tank won’t fill with water. Although it isn’t as common as having a toilet that wont flush, it’s still equally annoying.
If your toilet tank wont fill with water, you should know that there are several possible reasons behind it.
Below you can find several tips that we hope can help you solve this problem without paying for a professional.
Why My Toilet Tank Wont Fill With Water?
Without knowing what’s causing your toilet not to work properly, you can’t know how to repair it properly. The course of action depends on the culprit.
For example, you may simply have an old broken toilet tank that malfunctioned or low water pressure.
Also, some of the components might be broken. The standard toilets parts that can prevent your tank from filling with water are:
- Float ball
- Flapper chain
- Fill valve
- Trip assembly
- Fill tube
- Toilet bowl.
Not to mention, sometimes the cause might be a more severe issue, such as broken sewers or clogged pipes. If you suspect this is the issue, you really should call a professional plumber for help.
Having a broken sewer system is a serious problem that might damage your entire property. It would be best if you didn’t keep on hesitating to fix such a big problem, as the repairs will only end up more expensive.
If you need help determining the cause behind a toilet that wont fill with water, just follow the steps below.
Check the Float Ball
When your toilet tank wont fill with water, the most common culprit is the faulty float ball.
A float ball regulates the water influx. When the water fills up to a recommended height, a float ball will stop any more liquid from entering.
If you aren’t sure where to find a float ball, it’s usually sitting on top of the tank water.
The float ball works by moving the float arm, which then blocks the water inflow. If the water levels are too low, then the float ball probably isn’t in the right position.
Simply move the float arm upwards, and it should once again allow the water to enter. If the ball drops too low again, it’s too old or malfunctioning.
The best thing you should do is to buy a new one and replace it. Otherwise, the problem will just keep on occurring.
Look at the Flapper Chain
The flapper chain – or a flush handle, depending on the model – seals the drain hole between two flushes.
When the flapper chain is broken, it usually causes another common problem – a toilet leaking water.
Sometimes, however, it is the culprit when your toilet tank wont fill with water. This typically happens when you have a too long flush road or chain.
Adjusting them might help you fix this issue. Make sure there is no more than an inch left on the links at the rod.
Then, return the lid and check whether everything works properly. The flush rod shouldn’t touch the lid in any way. If it does, readjust everything until it works, and the water runs back in.
Make Sure the Fill Valves Are Okay
Another possible culprit when there is no water in the tank is the faulty fill valve. Fill valves refill the toilet tank between two flushes.
They do this by controlling the water inflow from the supply line. Fill valves typically work with the help of float arms.
To check the fill valves, you’ll need to use a screwdriver and remove the toilet lid first. Look at the left side. This is where the valves usually are.
Then, turn the screw clockwise so you can raise the valve. This should cause water to fill in the tanks.
If it overflows, simply turn the screw counter-clockwise as this will make the fill valve move downwards. This should solve the issue. Flush the toilet to ensure everything works fine.
Some toilet tanks use cylinders instead of typical float arms. If your toilet has cylinders, you should check them instead.
Once again, on most occasions, valves are on the left side of the tank. This process is even more straightforward, as it doesn’t involve any screwdrivers.
Simply move the float clip that rests on the float valve if you need more water. If too much water appears, slide the clip down a bit. This should regulate the amount of water. Fill valves often comes in the kit.
Replace the Worn Out Flapper
If you have a worn-out flapper, there’s probably no need to try to adjust it. The only cure is to buy a new one and replace it. Make sure you find the exact same model.
The best way to be sure is to take the one from your toilet bowl to the hardware store. The workers can help you locate the same one.
Keep in mind that finding the replacement flapper can take some time. Today, there are many models on the market, and finding the replica can be difficult.
If this is the case, look for some that have the same specifications. It isn’t a bad idea to look for a ‘universal flapper.’
These flappers can work with most toilet bowls, but we recommend using them for a limited amount of time. They are the best substitute until you buy a match.
Also, if you can’t find the exact flapper, try with the most similar product. Don’t buy an ‘adjustable’ flapper!
These are more fragile compared to standard flappers, and they won’t last for a long time – if they even fit. The only occasion when it’s okay to purchase them is if your toilet tank had the adjustable type already.
Check the Trip Assembly
One other part that may end with water not filling a water tank is a broken trip assembly. Perhaps it’s blocking itself at the same time as the lid.
This can cause a flush cycle to malfunction. To check it out, you have to open the toilet lid first. Then, make sure the trip assembly isn’t bent, worn out, or broken.
If anything is wrong with it, replace it. It’s hard to fix, and it will likely just break once again in no time. Once again, we recommend taking it to the hardware store to find an exact replacement.
Look at the Fill Tube
Sometimes, a damaged fill tube can make your toilet tank wont fill with water. A fill tube is a hose connecting to the overflow tube.
It fills water inside the tank after every flush. Make sure the fill tube isn’t disconnected from the overflow tube for some reason.
If it did, the valve would turn off the water before the toilet tank is filled.
Connect the two tubes back, and everything should work correctly.
If two tubes are well connected, make sure the fill tube isn’t damaged or worn out. If you notice any traces of old age on it, a visit to the hardware store is mandatory once again.
This time, however, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a replacement. Fill tubes don’t come in too many shapes and sizes, so this one is an easy purchase.
Broken Toilet Bowl
Lastly, perhaps the toilet tank isn’t the issue. The following problem is infrequent, but it’s good to rule it out.
Sometimes, a toilet bowl can crack, causing water to leak onto the bathroom floor. This may cause your toilet tank to look empty.
Even though cracks on the bowl aren’t common and you can usually notice them, check the lower bowl once again. If the bowl did crack, well, the only fix is to replace the entire toilet bowl.
Other Reasons a Toilet Tank Wont Fill With Water
If you don’t see anything wrong with your toilet bowl, but the water wont fill, you are out of luck.
The two other things that may cause this are low water pressure and a faulty sewer vent line. Both of these focus on rusty, old, or damaged sewer pipes.
If you have low water pressure, you’re likely to notice it when you’re using any household sink.
Typically, rusty or leaky pipes are the cause of it. These problems prevent normal water flow.
This is common with old houses that have outdated sewer systems.
On the other hand, sewer vent lines are responsible for removing sewer gasses that you might notice in your bathroom.
They go through bathroom walls all the way to the roof. If they are broken or clogged, the free airflow from the sewer line stops.
This affects the water level. Typically, the clogs are caused by various types of debris from the roof.
If you suspect any of these two things to be the problem, you should call a professional. Plumbing damages and vent clogs can end up being a severe issue.
Bottom Line
When your toilet tank wont fill with water, there are many possible culprits. It would be best to rule out some of the simplest issues before wasting money on expensive repairs.
However, keep in mind that any piping issue can cause damages to the structure of your home.
If you suspect the problem doesn’t lie within your toilet tank, call the professional as soon as possible! Otherwise, you are risking serious and expensive repairs.
Michael Davis is a heating & plumbing expert who currently works as independent contractor in SC. He also writes for Plumbertip.
For almost 10 years he worked on various plumbing tasks across South Carolina.
