Toilet Bowl Water Level
Toilets are an essential part of every home, and they’re pretty much impossible to go without. Rather than relying on a plumber to fix minor problems with your toilet, you could save time and money by learning some basic fixes for your toilet. Let’s start with raising your toilet bowl’s water level.
Why should you adjust the water level?
While it may seem unimportant, your toilet bowl’s water level actually has a significant effect on the way the toilet works. If the water level is too low, you may end up with frequent clogs because there isn’t enough water to properly flush the toilet. If it’s too high, your toilet could become dangerously close to overflowing every time you flush. Not to mention, it will run constantly, wasting water and driving up your monthly water bills!
How to Adjust the Toilet Bowl Water Level
If you’re wary of fixing this problem on your own, don’t worry — your toilet really isn’t that complicated. The water level is determined by a float, which turns the water supply on and off based on the water level in the tank. This also controls the water level in the bowl. To adjust the water level, you’ll simply need to adjust the float.
Start by turning off the toilet’s water supply, then open the toilet tank and see what kind of float it has. How to adjust the toilet float is determined by what kind of float your toilet has.
Cylinder Float
This float looks like a cylinder with a vertical bar running through the center, and it’s easy to adjust:
- Find the adjustment stem, which runs parallel to the float and is connected both to the float and to the fill valve (the cylinder that runs through the float). The adjustment stem may look a bit like a long, slender screw.
- Locate the release clip on the adjustment stem where it connects to the float.
- In many float models, you’ll pinch the release clip to raise or lower the float.
- If there’s no release clip, you’ll use a screwdriver on top of the adjustment stem to raise and lower the water level. Turn it clockwise to raise the water level and counterclockwise to lower it.
- Turn the water on to test the toilet by flushing it, and make adjustments as needed.
Ball-and-Arm Float
A ball-and-arm float is a plastic ball connected to a metal arm. Use these steps to adjust it:
- When the tank is full, look at the height of the float, which should sit at water level. Decide whether you need to raise or lower the water level.
- Locate the screw that attaches the float to the fill valve (usually on top of the fill valve).
- Using a screwdriver, turn the screw in small increments to adjust the water level. Clockwise will raise it and counterclockwise will lower it.
- Turn the water on and test the water level by flushing, and make adjustments as needed.
Call a Professional
Once you raise your toilet’s water level, it should no longer frequently clog. Likewise, your toilet should stop running continuously if you lower the water level. If you’re still dealing with toilet issues even after adjusting the water level, there may be a more serious problem with your toilet. Call a professional plumbing repair company if the issue persists.
Norman Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the go-to plumbing company for the Norman area. If you need toilet repairs, our expert plumbers will be able to quickly assess the issue and fix your toilet in no time!
Contact us today for more information or to begin a service request.
