PROJECTS ONLINE: FLUSH TANK PROBLEMS: WHEN THE TANK WON'T FILL
Project Difficulty:
Moderate Estimated
Project Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on what is needed
Tools and Materials:
Adjustable wrench
Adjustable pliers
Screwdriver
To clean:
Fine (#0000) steel wool
To replace the ball cock mechanism:
Anti-siphon ball cock
Sponge
Pipe wrench
If your tank won't fill with water, first verify that the water supply is turned on.
Next, try jiggling the float arm. Corrosion can make it stick, preventing the ball cock valve from opening. If jiggling the float arm works, then you may need to clean the assembly, check the float, or, as a last resort, replace the ball cock mechanism.
1.
Clean the Assembly
1) Shut off the water supply.
2) Disassemble the float and float arm at the ball cock assembly.
3) Clean the metal parts using very fine (#0000) steel wool. Be careful not to remove any metal; just sand away the corrosion. Do the same with the ball cock retaining nut beneath the tank, as well as the connection between the tank and the bowl.
After cleaning, jiggle the float arm; if this doesn't do the trick, then check the float itself for signs of cracking or deterioration. If necessary, replace the float arm and/or float. If this doesn't work, it may be necessary to replace the ball cock mechanism altogether.
2.
Repairing or Replacing the Ball Cock Mechanism
1) Close the water-supply shutoff valve, flush the toilet, and sponge out the water remaining in the tank.
2) Examine the plunger in the ball cock assembly. Remove the pins holding the plunger in place, and check the washers on the plunger for wear. Remove and replace them if necessary.
3) If the washers are not worn, replace the entire ball cock mechanism with a code compliant anti-siphon ball cock. Remove the refill tube from the old ball cock (Fig. 1) and disconnect the float arm and the float from the ball cock. Next, unscrew the water-supply line coupling nut and the locknut between the water-supply line and the ball cock. Lift the entire ball cock and float assembly from the tank.
4) Clean the tank bottom where the ball cock shank washer sits.
5) Install the new anti-siphon ball cock assembly, and then adjust the height of the valve body to fit the tank by turning the threaded shank in and out. Position the valve in the water-supply opening. (Fig. 2)
6) Tighten the locknut, attach the water-supply tube to the threaded valve shank, and tighten the coupling nut.
7) Insert the refill tube into the overflow pipe, and then turn on the water supply. Set the desired water level by adjusting the clip on the float cup. The waterline should lie about 3/4 inch below the top of the overflow tube.
