It’s frustrating to flush your toilet only to have the water stop halfway up the toilet bowl. But there are many reasons why water level drops in the toilet bowl. Thankfully, many of them are easy to fix.
First, check whether your water supply to the toilet is on and that it’s working perfectly. If you note a problem with your water supply to the bathroom, be sure to fix it before you explore other options.
5 Major Causes of Water Level Drops In the Toilet Bowl
If you accidentally activated the shut-off valve for the water supply to your toilet, it could mean that the water in your toilet is no longer sufficient to flush the toilet. But if the shut-off valve for your water supply is okay, you need to investigate the following issues:
1. Blocked Vent Pipe
Plumbing vents, also known as sewer vent lines, permit sewer oxygen and sewer gases to flow consistently into and out of the waste pipes. If your toilet water level drops in the bowl, there are chances that the sewer vent pipe is clogged. If that happens, you will hear your toilet gurgling sounds frequently due to the siphon force created in the vent.
Blocked vent pipes often happen on the top of the roof of the house where the vent is usually located. This may occur due to falling leaves that may get trapped inside it, or sometimes the vents are blocked by birds which make their nests inside them.
Here is what to do:
You will have to remove the blockage inside your vent pipe. You may require to climb on top of your house roof to remove the debris efficiently. To avoid plants and animals blocking the vent pipe another round, you’ll want to buy a vent cover. But please don’t climb on top of that roof yourself if you aren’t an expert. We prefer you call an expert to do the job.
2. Your Toilet Has A Full or Partial Clog
Another reason for low water levels in your toilet is a clog. The most common kind of clog is one that blocks the inside piping of your toilet, which causes your toilet to overflow. In some cases, the clog may cause the water in your toilet bowl to slowly go down.
If your toilet is getting deficient water levels because of a partially blocked toilet, you can tell by observing how your toilet flushes. If the water quickly gets up to the top of the toilet bowl but slowly falls to normal, that means there is a siphoning problem with your toilet.
How to Fix a Partial or Full Clog
Use a toilet plunger, a toilet auger, or a gloved hand to remove the blockage. If you suspect a deeper clog inside your drain pipes, you will need to call a qualified plumber in your area to come and help fix the problem.
Most plumbing experts recommend skipping all other steps and using a toilet snake if you want to clear a full clog. Most homeowners may end up worsening their toilet problems by misusing a plunger.
However, most folks believe a plunger isn’t designed to force a blockage down the sewer line. Instead, a plunger is intended to establish a suction force in your toilet trap, which ultimately causes the clog to break down and get flushed away into the sewer line. Exerting too much force on the plunger normally blows your toilet wax seal. When that happens, you will need to remove and reseal your toilet.
Using a closet auger to remove toilet clogs is more efficient and effective as it can break up and break down the toilet clog allowing it to get flushed away. But like other plumbing tools, you must learn how to use an auger properly before trying to use it. Otherwise, with an auger, forget about the toilet leakages usually caused by the improper use of a plunger.
3. There Is an Issue with Your Toilet Tank
One of the most straightforward problems to fix is having water that isn’t draining correctly into your toilet tank. Many things can cause you to have a toilet that will not fill with water, including a malfunctioning toilet flapper or fill valve.
The toilet fill valve, also called a ballcock, regulates how much water goes into your toilet tank. If one of these mechanisms is damaged, the water in the toilet tank might not be able to fill up to the correct level.
If there is an issue with your toilet flapper that directs the water from the tank to the toilet bowl, the water level in the toilet bowl might drop.
How to Fix It:
There are two ways to fix a toilet whose tank isn’t working perfectly: readjusting the fill valve or replacing the damaged parts. You can find out which option is right by taking out the top cover from the tank and examining the inside of the tank.
Before you replace the flapper or valve on your toilet, you’ll need to inspect the components inside the toilet to check whether there is a broken or worn component. If everything looks perfect, you can try adjusting the fill valve to check if that fixes the issue. Based on the design of your toilet, the fill valve system may function differently. Therefore, look at the manual for the specific toilet model you are inspecting.
If that doesn’t work or you notice a broken or worn-out flapper, you can usually replace it with a new one. Sometimes, you may need a quick trip to the local hardware store to get some new fittings to fix the problem.
4. Your Inlet Holes Are Clogged
Another problem could be the clogged inlet holes (most people know them as the rim jets). These inlet holes are sometimes located just below your toilet rim. Based on the tap water quality and your toilet’s model, the water entering your bowl from the toilet tank can calcify and get plugged in.
Here is how you can fix clogged inlet holes:
An ideal way to fix clogged inlet holes is by cautiously adding vinegar into your toilet tank through an overflow pipe. Then give the vinegar a couple of hours to dissolve the calcium deposit inside the toilet tank.
After that, with a toothbrush, scrub out the calcium deposits. If they are compacted, insert a thin wire into the rim jets to remove the calcium deposits. The end of the wire you intend to poke into those rim jets should be similar to that of a coat hanger. Once satisfied, flush your toilet to see if the job is well done.
5. Cracked Toilet Pipes and Bowl
Last but not least, it’s very likely that you have a cracked toilet bowl or pipes. If that is the case, you need to find a toilet store repair near your area. You can get a new toilet bowl or pipes to replace the cracked ones.
Whereas most of these minor toilet problems can easily be handled without a professional’s help, if you can’t handle them personally or feel stuck on the way, consider hiring a professional to get the job done.
FAQs
Why won’t my bowl fill up with water after I flush my toilet?
If a toilet in perfect condition does not fill up its bowl with water after flushing, your water pressure is likely low. Old pipes rust and leak, causing many toilets to have low water pressure. If the low water pressure is the cause of your toilet bowl not filling up with water, you may need to consult a plumbing professional to investigate the issue.
How do you know if the fill valve in your toilet is broken?
You can tell if your fill valve is faulty by listening carefully to the strange sounds that your toilet makes. Water that sounds constantly running through your tank may indicate that a defective fill valve is causing problems. Try putting some drops of food color in your toilet tank. Then flush your toilet to see if the water stains the bowl.
Wrapping Up
If the water level drops in the toilet bowl frequently and it’s not in windy weather, then your toilet must be having a problem. Fortunately for you, we have outlined the most common issue that may cause the water level to drop and given you DIY tips to fix the problem. But if the problem persists, consult your local plumber.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.