Why Isn’t My Toilet Filling Up All the Way?

You’ve flushed the toilet thousands of times before, and just about every time, it’s done exactly what you’d expect: flush and refill.

But what if it doesn’t refill all the way?

Some might shrug it off as a minor concern. But not you! You want to get to the bottom of it. Not the bottom of the toilet bowl, mind you, but to the bottom of the problem.

After all, if there’s a water issue, chances are high it could drive up your water bill and lead to other problems as well. It's crucial to address a toilet tank that isn't refilling as soon as possible.

And your friends at Ranshaw are here to help.

In this guide, we'll answer some common questions, from how much water should be in a toilet tank to how to adjust a fill valve on a toilet. We'll also explore issues that can prevent a toilet from refilling properly, such as:

• Clogged fill valve
• Faulty float ball
• Low water pressure
• Malfunctioning flapper
• Blocked inlet holes

Schedule a Toilet Repair with a Highly Trained Plumber from Ranshaw Today

No matter what's gone wrong with your toilet — whether it's a leaky valve or a slow flush — the pros at Ranshaw Plumbing & Heating are your go-to team for toilet repairs. With 60+ years of experience and a 4.8/5-star rating on Google, we arrive prepared to tackle any plumbing problem. Call us at (718) 767-0707 or click below to schedule service today.

One of the most common causes of an improperly flushing toilet is a clogged fill valve. The fill valve is a device inside the toilet tank that's responsible for replenishing the tank with water after each flush. If this valve is clogged, it will slow down the refilling mechanism, causing the water level in the toilet bowl to be lower than normal.

Fill valves usually become clogged as a result of debris buildup. Over time, various types of debris accumulate inside your water system, which includes the valve body. If you're wondering how much water should be in a toilet tank, it’s about one to two inches below the fill valve.

The float ball is a device that allows water to fill the toilet tank without overflowing. If your toilet's float ball was installed incorrectly or has reached the end of its lifespan, it’ll cause all sorts of problems. This means that the toilet bowl and tank will no longer reach their respective fill lines at the same time. As a result, the toilet will waste a significant amount of water trying to get both the tank and bowl to fill up all the way.

The water pressure in your home can also prevent your toilet from refilling properly. Every toilet has a certain water pressure rating. If the water pressure in your home doesn't meet this rating, it can affect your toilet's refilling mechanism. In some cases, when your plumbing system lacks sufficient pressure, your toilet may shut off automatically before it's had the chance to refill completely.

Some common reasons for low water pressure include a faulty pressure regulator, blocked or corroded pipes, leaking, and closed shut-off valves.

The flapper is a rubber gasket at the bottom of the toilet tank. Its purpose is to prevent water from leaking out from the tank into the bowl. Each time you flush the toilet, a chain raises the flapper, causing water to drain out of the tank to flush the bowl. If the flapper malfunctions, it will result in water constantly leaking out of the tank. This means there won't be enough water in the tank to fully refill the bowl with every flush.

Your toilet's inlet holes are small holes located below the lip of the bowl. These holes eject water directly into the bowl every time you flush. If the holes are blocked or clogged, it prevents the toilet from filling properly. To determine whether your inlet holes are blocked, check if there's water pouring from the sides of the bowl or if the water moves straight down instead of diagonally.

If your toilet isn't refilling properly, don't hesitate to schedule a toilet repair with our highly trained plumbers. We always offer honest and upfront prices, so there are never any unpleasant surprises along the way.

After 60+ years of service, you can bet we’re some of the most experienced plumbers in the business. Give us a call and see for yourself! We look forward to hearing from you.