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View Full Version : How does air get into my cold water line?


damshell
Nov 8, 2010, 06:42 AM
I have 3 toilets that on occasion gurgle air from the tank refill valve after re filling.I have to lift the tank cover & push down the float ball to stop the noise?

massplumber2008
Nov 8, 2010, 06:55 AM
Hi Damshell...

More likely than air is that the float mechanism isn't completely shutting off the water flow into the toilet, or at least it is taking far longer than it should resulting in the appearance that air is bubbling into the toilet tank.

Guessing that the toilet is older, if this was me I'd start by replacing the fill valve (see image) to one of the toilets and see just how fast a toilet tank should really fill. You may also want to purchase a new flexible toilet supply tube.

If satisfied, then change out the other fill valves... easy job to do!

If you have newer toilets then you could just clean the washer under the cap assembly on the fill valve to speed the closing of the fill valve mechanism (glad to explain this if you want).

Let us know what you think here...

Mark

damshell
Nov 8, 2010, 07:12 AM
The house is only 5 years old.There is a green sand filter to deal with Manganese oder so the reservoir tank is sometimes dirty so maybe the washer needs to be cleaned.How is that done? Thanks.

massplumber2008
Nov 8, 2010, 07:27 AM
If you have a fill valve similar to the one pictured above you'll want to shut the water supply off to the toilet and then PUSH down on the cap and twist 1/4 turn to "POP" the cap up and off (see image below). The "arm" will remain attached to the cap... just set the cap and arm to the side of the fill valve.

You'll see a black rubber washer (see image)... remove it and clean it. While the washer is out, turn the toilet supply on for a second to purge the fill valve of any sediment inside it... cover fill valve with toilet here.

Reinstall the washer and push the cap back in place while turning 1/4 turn back to proper alignment. Turn water on and test... ;)

If that fails to fix this then you can buy a replacement washer or may be just as easy to replace the entire fill valve... super easy job!

Mark