View Full Version : My toilet is not filling after shutting off water to home,
crazyness555
Oct 3, 2010, 04:05 PM
I thought I removed all the air in the system but I flushed the upstairs bathroom and very loud banging came from the pipes and now the toilet will not fill with water. Is there something I broke?
speedball1
Oct 3, 2010, 04:22 PM
I thought i removed all the air in the system but i flushed the upstairs bathroom and very loud banging came from the pipes and now the toilet will not fill with water. Is there something i broke?
Probably not! What most likely happened is that you have water hammer and that disturbed minerals built up on the pipe walls and now nit's clogging your ballcock. BTW, To remove air from your system open up the topmost faucet and let it run until it stops spitting.
As for the toilet, do you wantb to do the work yourself? It will involve taking apart the ballcock and possibly the angle stop and flushing the lines out. Let me know, Which ballcock is yours? (see images) Regards.Tom
crazyness555
Oct 3, 2010, 04:39 PM
Yes I want to do the work myself, This started when I turned off the water accidentally. If I adjust the 1/4 valve coming out of the wall, I can make the hammering stop- but it seems as though the toilet is not filling as quickly as it was previously
crazyness555
Oct 3, 2010, 04:42 PM
Oops, I commented in the wrong spot and ran out of characters, sorry. I have the first one, the black and white image. Thank you for a fast reply tom! : )
speedball1
Oct 4, 2010, 05:31 AM
You have a FluidMaster ballcock but let's get rid of the hammer,
"Water hammer" happens when you abruptly shut off the water. You have at least 40 pounds of pressure pushing the water flow. The weight of the water hitting a 90 degree bend causes the sound that you hear. We put in air chambers to cushion the hammer much like the shocks on your car.
Back in the 60's we were required to to put air chambers on all bath lavatories and kitchen sinks. Over time water and condensate built up in them and they must be recharged. First turn off the house at the main house shut off valve. Then open hot and cold faucets at the farthest bathroom to prevent air lock.(This is important.) You will find under each fixture little brass or chrome valves. These are called angle stops. With a small pail held under the angle stop to catch the run off look under the handle of the stop and you will see a nut with the stem running through it. This is called the bonnet packing nut. Put your wrench on it and back it off counterclockwise. Now open the stop and remove the stem and washer assembly, The stop will began to drain. When it has quit draining reassemble the stop and move on to the next one. Do this on each one of your angle stops. There will be six of them in a two bath home. When you are done, close off the faucets you have opened, turn on the water to the house, and give yourself a pat on the back.
You have just recharged your air chambers and saved yourself a hefty service call bill. Do this and we'll address the toilet next. Good luck and thank you for rating my reply. TOM