No one likes a surprise in their toilet. And while you probably prefer to find an empty toilet tank to one full of snakes or spiders, you still won’t be happy to find no water in your toilet tank. An empty toilet tank is a sign of trouble and may require the help of a plumbing service in Chatsworth. However, there are a few steps you can take to diagnose the issue with your toilet. If you’re lucky, all you need is a quick and easy fix. 

Why a Toilet Tank Might Be Empty

Without seeing your toilet, it’s impossible to say why your tank has no water. But it’s safe to say that your tank is probably empty for one of three reasons. One of these problems could be the cause of your toilet trouble:

Float Ball Needs to Be Replaced

If you have an older toilet, you might have a float ball inside the tank. The float ball sits above the water and makes the water flow stop when the level is high enough. However, the ball might be broken. If this is the case, your toilet could think the tank is full when it’s actually empty. To replace the float ball, you need to remove the lid of the tank. Then, follow the instructions on your new float ball to remove the old one. The directions should also tell you how to install the new ball.

Float Ball Needs to Be Adjusted

A simple ball adjustment might be all you need to get water back into your tank. First, remove the lid to the tank and bend the float arm upwards. The ball should lift, and water should begin to fill the tank. This simple adjustment might be all it takes to repair your toilet.

Fill Valve Needs Adjusting

In newer toilets, the float ball is replaced by a float cup. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a plumber to determine which type of float your toilet has. Lift up the tank and look inside it. If there’s something that resembles a cup, you have a float cup.  Similar to a toilet with a float ball, a toilet with a float cup might only need a small adjustment. The fill valve controls how much water goes into the tank. When the valve moves out of position, water doesn’t fill the tank. To fix this issue, lift the lid of the toilet tank. The water level rod connects with the float cup, and that connects to the fill valve. There’s a screw on the top of the water level rod. When you twist it clockwise, the float cup lifts up, and the water level in the tank rises. After you adjust the screw, flush the toilet and see what happens. If too much water goes into the tank, turn the screw counterclockwise and lower the valve.

Broken Trip Assembly

The flush handle connects to the tank through a trip assembly. However, the trip assembly might not work the way it should. Sometimes, the trip assembly isn’t properly positioned or it’s broken. When the lid is on the tank, the flush cycle may not function.  You can check your trip assembly by lifting up your toilet tank lid and viewing the trip assembly. If it’s bent, work, or damaged, you need to replace it. Whether you do the job on your own or you call for plumbing services, an easy repair will fill up your toilet tank.

Water Supply Issues

If you don’t have water to your toilet, you won’t have water in your toilet tank. After one or two flushes, the tank could empty completely. Before you call a plumber, check the water shut off behind the toilet. Is it turned clockwise? If so, someone shut off the water to your toilet. Turn the knob in the other direction to restore the flow of water. It’s also possible you don’t have any water coming into your home. Don’t jump to conclusions, and check the water in your sink. Does the sink turn on? If not, you could have issues with your water supply. 

The Opposite Issue

You might also have a different issue – too much water in your tank. If water leaks from your tank to your bowl, you have a problem. Your monthly water bills could be high, and you end up wasting money every month. To determine if you have a leaky toilet, place food dye in the toilet tank. After waiting for several minutes, check the bowl for signs of color.  If you have dye in your bowl, you have a leak in your toilet. The issue could be the flapper. First, turn off the water to the toilet. Then, buy a replacement flapper and replace the old one. Making this repair should prevent you from wasting water, but there are other areas from which your toilet might leak. For instance, the wax ring around your toilet could be loose and result in a small leak. Your bathroom could have one of many other possible plumbing issues. Unfortunately, not all of them are easy to fix. You might need the help of a plumber to get your toilet or bathroom back into working order. 

Saving Money and Trouble

The longer you wait to address your leaking toilet, the worse your problem will become. Just as you don’t want to live with an empty toilet tank, you also don’t want to live with a leaky toilet. Either scenario is a bad one that could cost you money in wasted water or future repairs. When it comes to your plumbing, you should always be proactive. 

Getting Help from a Plumbing Service

Here at Rooter Shark Plumbing, we’ve seen all of the possible plumbing problems. Whether you have an empty toilet tank or a major leak, we know how to handle it. Our plumbers arrive ready to act quickly and restore your plumbing.  If you’re tired of struggling with your Chatsworth plumbing, call us today. We can come out and address any and all of your plumbing issues.