Toliet tank not filling up

[flablonde]

I am new to this forum and also new to trying to repair things as I have just purchased a 20 year old home.
One of the toliets, when you flush it, the tank may or may not fill up with water.

Don't even know where to start but can't afford a plumber. Have never tried this type of thing before and may not know the correct terminology so please, if you can respond, explain in descriptive detail.

I know there are repair books out there that are for women, maybe I should purchase one.

If you can help, thanks so much.
Laura

[LazyPup]

Good Morning Laura:

Congratulations on purchasing your new home and finding our forum. I think I can speak for all the regulars in here when I say that while we certainly would recommend a comprehensive home repair book, I hope you will bookmark this site and think of it as your personal interactive home repair manual.

You stated in your post that when you flush the toilet often it does not properly refill with water. There are two conditions that can cause this problem therefore you must first determine if the water is or is not flowing into the tank after the flush. Normally you can hear the water filling but just to be sure, lift the lid off the tank and watch the internal parts while you flush the toilet.

The first step of the flush cycle is pressing the flush handle, which in turn pulls upward on the chain or strap to the flapper valve. (see attached illustration).

On the underside of the flapper valve (out of sight at this point) there is an elongated tubular rubber section that forms an air bubble holding the flapper valve up until the water in the tank has discharged to the bowl. Once the water has discharged out of the tank the flapper ball will drop back down to its at rest position closing the valve and the tank will refill.

As the water level in the tank is falling during the flush you will see the float on the refill valve drop downward with the water level. As the float drops it should open the water fill valve and the water should begin refilling the tank.

IF THE WATER FILL VALVE OPENS AND WATER FLOW BEGINS:

1. When you release the flush handle does the internal lift arm immediately drop back down to the at rest posistion or did it stick up in the flush position holding the flapper open? If the flush handle is sticking first check to see if it is rubbing against something in the tank. If so you may be able to bend the handle arm slightly to correct the problem, if not you may need to change the handle assembly. (You can find a handle assembly in any hardware store for about $5) (If this is your problem post again letting me know and i will give you instructions on how to change it.)

2. When the water discharged out of the tank did the flapper ball drop back down to the at rest position closing the flush valve?
If the flapper ball is not dropping back down correctly first check to see if the chain is catching on something holding it open. Next check to see if there are any foreign objects such as an old bowl cleaner dispenser in the bottom of the tank interferring with it. If the flapper is free to move but still sticking upright the easy solution is to change the flapper ball. (You can buy a flapper ball at any hardware but you will need to know if you have an older tank with a 3.5gal/flush discharge or a modern 1.6GPF water saver. The volume of the tank is normally printed on the inside of the tank wall, but if you cannot determine the volume "Fluidmaster" now makes a replacement flapper assembly that has a still plastic mount and the ball can be rotated to adjust the rate of flow. Flapper balls will range in price from about $1 to $5).

If the flapper ball is dropping down correctly check the chain from the flush handle lift arm to the flapper. If the chain is too long often the excess will get sucked into the flapper ball seat and prevent the flapper ball from properly sealing. If this is the problem adjust the length of the chain or strap. (properly there should be about 1 to 2 links of slack in the chain when the flapper ball is down and the flush handle down in the at rest position.)

IF THE WATER FILL VALVE DOES NOT OPEN:

1.Check the float to make sure nothing is rubbing against it that might prevent the float from dropping correctly.
2. If the float is dropping and the water is not filling, check the water supply angle stop valve, which is located under the tank on the left side and make sure that valve is fully open. If the supply valve is fully open and the float dropped down, but still no water flow the easiest solution is to replace the fill valve. (You can buy a universal refill valve at any hardware store for about $10. I personally prefer the Fluidmaster valve which comes in a complete kit that is very easy to install.)

[flablonde]

Thanks for the information, I've been out of town but will start on it this weekend.

Laura