When it comes to our toilets, most of us are very particular about the water level.
We want it to be just high enough so that when we flush, everything goes down and the bowl is quickly clean again. But what do you do when your toilet bowl water level is low?
Here are a few possible reasons why this might be happening, as well as some tips on how to fix it.
Why Is My Toilet Bowl Water Level Low?
There are a few reasons why your toilet bowl water level might be low. Here are some of the most common causes:
Leaking Flapper:
A leaking flapper is one of the most common reasons for a constantly low water level in your toilet bowl.
The flapper sits at the bottom of the tank and covers the hole that leads to the bowl. When you flush the toilet, the flapper lifts to allow water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
If the toilet flapper is damaged, this can cause the water level to not rise to the optimum level in the bowl despite making a full flush.
Loose Flapper Chain:
A loose flapper chain is another possible cause of a low water level in your toilet bowl. If the chain is too long, it can become wrapped around the bottom of the flapper and prevent it from sealing properly.
So, water will keep running from the toilet tank to the bowl and your water level will stay low.
Cracked Toilet Bowl:
A toilet bowl not filled to the proper level can be the result of a cracked bowl. When the bowl cracks, water leaks out and causes the water level in the bowl to drop.
In some cases, the leak can be minor and only results in a slightly lower water level. But if there is a significant crack in the toilet bowl and you ignore it, the bowl could eventually break and cause serious issues in your bathroom.
Leaking Fill Valve:
When a fill valve leaks, it can cause the water level in the toilet bowl to become low. The fill valve is responsible for filling the tank with water after it is flushed.
When there’s a leaking fill valve, the tank will have low water storage, which will cause the toilet bowl not to fill after flushing.
The most common reason for this type of leak is wear and tear on the rubber washer that seals the connection between the fill valve and the water supply line.
Clogged Toilet:
When a toilet becomes clogged, it can cause the issue as well. This happens because the water is not able to flow through the pipes as quickly as it normally would. As a result, the water level in the bowl will drop.
How to Fix Low Water Level in the Toilet Bowl?
Tools you may need-
- A wrench.
- Flat-blade screwdriver.
- Pair of pliers.
- Plunger.
- Plumber snake.
- A dry towel.
Replacing a Leaking Flapper:
- First, shut off the water supply to your toilet. This will prevent water from spilling out when you remove the tank lid.
- Next, flush the toilet to empty the toilet tank. This will make it easier to access the flapper.
- Use a pair of pliers to remove the old flapper from the flush valve. Be careful not to lose any of the small parts that may be attached to it.
- Take your new flapper and attach it to the flush valve in the same way as the old one. Make sure that it is properly sealed so no water can leak through.
- Reattach the tank lid and turn on the water supply. Give your toilet a test flush to ensure that the new flapper is working properly and that the bowl water level is back to normal. If everything looks good, you’re all done!
Fixing a Loose Flapper Chain:
- First, shut off the water supply to your toilet.
- Start by removing the lid from your toilet tank and locate the flapper chain. If the chain is too long, use a pair of pliers to adjust it till it is about two inches shorter.
- Next, reattach the flapper chain to the flush handle and test it out by flushing the toilet. If the water level is still low, you may need to adjust the float cup or float ball.
- Once you have adjusted the float cup or float ball, replace the lid on your toilet tank and test it again.
Flush the toilet to see if the bowl water level has risen. If it has not, you may need to call a plumber for assistance.
FIxing a Cracked Toilet bowl:
Here’s how to do it:
- Turn off the water supply to your toilet.
- Flush the toilet and observe the water that flows out of the toilet bowl.
- Identify the cracked part of the toilet bowl.
- Clean the area around the crack with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. This will help ensure that the repairs will hold.
- Apply epoxy putty to the crack, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use your fingers to smooth it into place. The putty should extend slightly beyond the edges of the crack. Allow it to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.
- Turn on the water supply and flush the toilet to test your repairs. The water level in your bowl should now be normal. If not, you may need to adjust the float ball or add more putty to seal the crack completely.
Note that filling up the crack with epoxy putty is a temporary solution. We highly recommend replacing the toilet if it’s cracked.
Fixing a Leaking Fill Valve:
Follow these steps to fix a leaking fill valve:
- First, shut off the water supply to the toilet.
- Next, flush the toilet to empty the tank.
- Remove the lid from the tank and locate the fill valve. It is usually located at the back of the tank.
- Use a wrench to remove the nut that secures the fill valve to the tank.
- Pull out the old fill valve and insert a new one in its place. Be sure to tighten the nut securely.
- Finally, turn on the water supply and check for leaks. If there are none, your toilet bowl should now be filling properly.
Clogged Toilet:
There are three ways you can go about unclogging your toilet. Note that if the first one doesn’t work, move to the second, and if it doesn’t work, move to the third.
Using Vinegar & Baking Soda
- Pour a cup of baking soda down the toilet, followed by a cup of vinegar.
- Let the mixture sit for an hour before flushing. This will help to break up the clog and clear the pipes.
Using A Plunger
- First, make sure that there is enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger.
- Insert the plunger into the bowl and push and pull it up and down forcefully.
- Do this for several minutes until the clog begins to break up.
Using A Plumbing Snake
- Insert the snake into the bowl and push it through the clog until you feel resistance.
- Once you’ve broken through the clog, flush the toilet to clear away any remaining debris.
To Conclude
There are a number of reasons why your toilet bowl water level might be low.
Luckily, most of them are easy to fix with a little troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, we recommend calling a plumber for assistance. Thanks for reading!