Did you just try to flush your toilet, and nothing occurred? Peek within the tank, and you might see no water inside. Before you panic, rest assured that correcting this challenge is usually straightforward. If you can’t figure it out yourself, you can always set up toilet repair with an experienced plumber. Follow these tips to diagnose and repair the problem of no water in the toilet tank.
Check the Water Supply
The first step is to ensure that the water is running. If you or someone in your household recently performed a toilet repair, you may have turned off the water first. Did you forget to turn it back on? To see, rotate the water shut-off valve on the wall behind the toilet. If the valve was shut, water ought to now start refilling the tank. If this does not work, check the water at your sink or an alternative plumbing fixture. If nothing spills out from the tap, you might have a bigger water supply issue. Contact your water company to get more details.
Reposition or Replace the Float Mechanism
Older toilet brands use a float ball to measure the water level as it goes up in the tank. When the ball hits a specific height, the float arm it’s attached to stops the water flow. However, insufficient water might enter the tank if the ball is positioned wrong or the arm is damaged. To move the float ball, start by removing the toilet tank lid. Bend the float arm up a little to adjust where it sits in the tank. If this fails to fix the problem, you may need to replace the full float mechanism. You should be able to complete this yourself by following the detailed steps that come with the replacement parts, or you can hire a plumber for help. Just note that float balls are old toilet design. You may enjoy improved reliability and efficiency if you upgrade the existing tank components or replace the toilet altogether.
Adjust the Fill Valve
Newer toilets operate with a float cup instead of a float ball, coupled with a fill valve and water level rod. There may very well be no water in the toilet tank because the valve has slipped out of place or become clogged. Here are a couple recommendations to consider:
- Adjust the fill valve: Glance inside the toilet and identify the fill valve on top of a vertical tube device on the left side of the tank. Ensure it’s secure and evenly connected to the tube. Then, adjust the water level. Current models of toilets have an adjustment knob you can turn by hand, while older versions may require you to loosen an adjustment screw with a flathead screwdriver. Flush the toilet and let the tank refill to verify the water level. Change it until the water comes to approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clean the fill valve: Mineral buildup and other gunk could be blocking the valve and preventing your toilet from filling. Turn off the water behind the toilet and remove the fill cap. Then, steadily turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to prevent water from spraying everywhere. After several seconds, turn the water back off. Finally, wash the fill cap to clear away hard water buildup. If the cap is cracked, swap it out.
- Clean the valve tube: The tube below the fill valve could also be clogged. Shut off the water and take off the valve hardware. Then, place a slim bottle brush or wire down the tube. Turn the water back on a little to flush away the blockage. Replace the valve hardware and flush the toilet to test your adjustments.
Repair or Replace the Trip Assembly
If you’ve tried the steps above without success, the one remaining possibility is a faulty trip assembly. This part attaches the flush handle to the tank. If it’s damaged or positioned improperly, the flush cycle may not complete, leaving the tank bone dry. Detach the toilet tank lid and examine the trip assembly connected to the handle. If it’s out of place, reposition it. If the assembly is crooked, worn or broken, swap it with a new one. Whether you complete the job yourself or leave it to a plumber, this simple repair should get your toilet tank filled with water once more.
Schedule Toilet Repair Today
You can’t go long without a working toilet, so phone [Company name] to schedule a toilet repair. We can figure out why your toilet isn’t filling and propose the correct fix. If your plumbing fixture is old and worn out, our team can install a high-efficiency toilet in your bathroom. Be assured that every plumbing repair and replacement we conduct is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. To schedule an appointment from one of our licensed crews, please call your community [Company name] office today.