When you flush the toilet, the tank begins to refill. It will automatically stop when it reaches a specific level. Generally, a float is lifted by the rising water. When the float reaches a specific point, the water valve will shut off.

Low water levels in toilets will not allow the float ball to raise high enough to close the ball cock. Water levels that are too high will constantly run water, which will cost you a lot of money and wasted water. Adjusting the low water level in your toilet will keep your toilet flushing completely. Water levels should fall about one inch below the rim of the overflow tube.

Adjusting the Water Level for Your Toilet

Note: Water level in your toilet is not the same as leveling a toilet that rocks.

How to Adjust Water Level in Older Toilets

Toilets generally have similar setups, but there may be different styles of floats. Older toilets will have a float that hangs at the end of an armature, along a metal or plastic rod. The arm will connect to the water valve, where there will be a screw. Adjust that screw to change the level where the water valve shuts off.

If there is not a screw or it is already at its maximum, you will have to bend the metal arm. If you do this, remove the component from the valve to avoid damaging the fill valve.

How to Adjust Water Level in Newer Toilets

Newer toilets will often have a float that is a collar around the fill valve and rides up vertically. The float will have a spring clip that connects to a metal rod. This metal rod connects to the valve shut off control. Slide the float up or down the metal rod by squeezing the spring clip.

Troubleshooting:

A low water level in toilets can cause your toilet bowl to not be completely clean, as a high water level will keep it running. While the water level is an obvious culprit, here are some other troubleshooting tips to consider:

• For running toilets, check to see if the handle is stuck or if there is a bent lift wire, a leaking float ball or if there is a flapper that does not fit snugly in its seat.
• Reasons a toilet may not drain completely include: a clogged toilet, blocked flush holes or a lift chain that is too long.
• If you need to replace a part, you can get them at most hardware or plumbing supply stores.

While there are different variations on the fill valve mechanism, they will all include some method for adjusting the water level. Inspecting your fill valve is an easy way to determine what type of adjustment system is used for your particular fill valve.

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Comments (4)

• |2010-04-15 10:44:21 Carolynn  - Water level in toliet bowl
  How do I adjust the water level in the toliet bowl? Mine is very low
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• |2010-09-21 11:57:15 shayne  - Ages to fill the cistern
  Why has the water inlet supply slowed down on my toilet cistern? Even if I manually open the inlet valve there does not seem as much pressure as before. Also can anybody tell me what the 'metal' ball is on the inlet pipe which appears to have an air valve of some type, this is fitted on the feed pipe at the bottom of the cistern 'externally'
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• |2011-09-23 23:42:01 Garrett
  @Shayne - I had the exact same problem. Did you get this fixed?
  
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• |2010-11-25 06:50:35 Alex  - Flushing amount
  When my new toilet flushes it only releases an small amount of water. Is this something to do with the blue plastic circle where it levels off and is there a way of adjusting this?
  
  This leaves annoying 'floaters' and especially aereated paper.
  
  Alex
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