My toilet was working properly before tonight. There was no slow leak sound; nothing.

Now when the handle is pressed, nothing happens. I opened up the tank and found there was no water in the tank. I've been searching the Internet for answers, but haven't found any that address this particular problem.

I realize I can pour water down the toilet to temporarily get to to flush. I want to repair this.

Incidentally, the cut off valve under the toilet doesn't work. It hasn't worked for years. So to shut off the water, I must shut off the main valve in the basement. Since that doesn't shut it off completely, I turn on the basement faucet as a temporary fix.

From what I've read, I think the problem is the fill valve. My current fill valve is a simple looking white plastic part. It's not a FluidMaster brand.

XenoSapien

A white plastic part with an arm, and on the end of the arm, a round plastic "ball" about the size of a soft-ball? If so, you've got to shut down the water and open the assembly and flush it out--sounds like something is clogged to the point where it will not allow water to pass through the fill tube.

I would replace the shut-off for the toilet and install a new water-line and fluid master to make this easy.

XenoSapien

speedball1

The first thing thing you must do is to find out exactly where the blockage is.
Shut the water off to the house and change out the angle stop under the tank. NMow when you have the angle stop off hold a pan over the open pipe and have someone turn the waster on for a second. If a full stream came out then you have a faulty ball cock that must be replaced. Good luck, Tom

swedishkitten

Did I mention I live alone?

I have to fix this on my own.

I'd have to put a container under it, go down turn the water on and off, and then go up to see if water came out.

The angle stop/supply hose (We are talking about the pipe that goes from the water to the tank, right?) was recently replaced by a friend, who is no longer available. Replacing that supply hose/angle stop would be relatively easy for me. If that is the problem.

CaptainRich

No one to help you...?! Friend or neighbor? Rent-a-husband? Handyman? Co-worker?

You could call a plumber and be done with it...

swedishkitten

Also the angle stop/supply hose appears to be a bit longer than it needed to be, so it curls around a bit before it reaches the tank. It's one of those metal woven looking ones. I think I should buy a few different lengths, and return the ones that aren't the right length.
That curl may be the cause of the problem.

CaptainRich

It could be holding sediment but I wouldn't think there'd be much... normal water flow should keep that clear. Any sharp angles that can cause restrictions may allow for a build up, but the hose fix would be simple and relatively inexpensive. However, you mentioned the cut-off valve doesn't work... corrosion here can totally congest that area of the water feed. Turn off the water in the basement and replace both the valve and the hose. Let us know!

speedball1

Unless the supply hose is kinked I don't think that's the problem. I should have asked earlier, your ballcock, is it a float ball on a rod or a can on a wire. If it's a can on a wire you have a bad wawsher inside and the replacement's simple and easy. If you have a float ball on a rod the click on back and I'll give you solutions that a single person can hamdle by herself. Cheers, Tom