Let’s get real, after spending big banks on Kohler toilets, it’s unreal to spend more on fixing its tank issues. In reality, like other toilets, Kohler toilets go through generic wear and tear too.
So, since your Kohler toilet tank won’t fill with water, you’re intrigued to know how to fix it. Well, you’re in the right place, as we will explain why this malfunction occurs and how you can fix it.
Don’t go anywhere and stick till the end for the know-how.
Introduction to Kohler Toilet Tank Components
To understand toilet tank fill problems, it helps to first be familiar with the inner workings. Here are the key components that relate to toilet tank filling operations on most Kohler toilets:
- Fill Valve: This vertical valve at the left side of the tank controls water flow from the supply line to refill the tank after flushing. Uses a float ball/cup to shut off at the proper water level.
- Flush Valve: The flush valve at the bottom of the tank releases water to flush the bowl when you press the trip lever. A rubber flapper seal stops the flow between flushes.
- Overflow Tube: If the fill valve fails to shut off, the overflow tube drains excess water down to the bowl to prevent spillover.
- Trip Lever: The flip arm on the outside of the tank is connected by chain/wire to lift the flush valve open when pressed.
- Supply Line: Provides pressurized water supply from the home plumbing system to the fill valve. Usually a braided stainless steel hose.
Knowing the function of each toilet component helps troubleshoot issues. Now let’s cover the most common fill problems.
Why Kohler Toilet Tank Won’t Fill?
Before we jump into knowing how to fix the Kohler toilet tank issue, it’s wiser to understand what’s causing the ruble first. Once you get ahold of the root cause, it’ll be easier for you to spot the solution too. So, let’s detect the issues first.
- The Toilet Float
Toilets have float cylinders, cups, or balls equipped in the tanks. These connect to the fill valves that manipulate the valves’ closing or opening.
If the float design is too low, the water level will be low too. However, if it’s set too high, the water levels will also be increased.
It’s a no-brainer that either of these situations will not be sufficient for proper water flow. These will either cause an insufficient water supply or an overflow.
There’s a quick fix for this issue, so stay tuned to know.
- Fill Valve Issues
Fill valves are connected to the toilet’s water supply, and it’s responsible for filling the water tank after each flush. It’s also attached to the toilet float and refill tube.
Once someone flushes the toilet, the float moves at the base, opens the valves, fills the tank, and moves at the top once the tank gets filled.
However, if the fill valve breaks or is faulty, the tank will fail to supply water. In contrast, sometimes such mishaps occur because of gunk accumulation, rust, or corrosion.
- Toiler Flapper Issues
Sometimes when your Kohler toilet doesn’t fill water adequately, the issue might be within the toilet flapper.
Toiler flapper’s design allows the flushing water to enter the Kohler toilet bowls and seal immediately once it has flushed so that the water remains within the tank, ready for the upcoming flush.
This flapper is also attached to a lifting chain which should be at a 1/2 inch slack. So, how does this interrupt the water supply in the tank? Good question.
If the flapper’s chain is too loose or tight, it will prohibit sufficient water from filling the toilet’s tank. But, this isn’t the only issue that can settle within the flapper.
As the flapper chain hangs freely, the lift chain could also block the flapper holes. Moreover, these chains are prone to accumulating dirt and debris often.
Thus, the flapper will either cause a running toilet or one that doesn’t fill water adequately.
What To Do To Fix The Issue?
- Fix The Toilet Float
If you understand that the issue is with your toilet float, you must do the following steps to fix the water supply problems.
- Switch off the water by turning the valve off.
- Flush the toilet to get most of the water out.
- Remove the toilet’s lid.
- Inspect to see if you have a float cup or ball.
- If it’s a float ball, review the fill valve and float arm connection to see if it’s secure with a screw. If it is, utilize a screwdriver and rotate it clockwise to increase the water level.
On the other hand, if it’s a floating cup, you must locate a plastic screw and turn it clockwise to increase the water levels.
During these procedures, avoid screwing too much in one go. Keep the water level around 1/2 beneath the overflowing tube.
- Secure the toilet lid back on, and you’re done!
Now, let’s check the fill valve.
- Fix The Fill Valve
If your filler valve seems to be faulty for any of the reasons mentioned above, you can count on this simple remedy. Simply read through and follow the steps.
- Switch off the Kohler toilet’s water supply and flush it.
- Take ahold of the toilet’s fill valve, which should be residing at the bottom, and utilize your other free hand to rotate the fill valve a complete 1/8 clockwise turn.
- Examine the interior of the valves to check for any debris accumulation.
- Open the Kohler toilet’s water supply so that the gunk gets forced out.
- Once the fill valve unblocks, place the cap back on.
Note that if the fill valve looks beyond repair, too worn out and old, you should simply replace it. These components are pretty inexpensive, and often, it’s smarter to replace the entire section rather than facing frequent repairs.
Although replacing the fill valve is also quite simple, you can always take professional assistance.
- Replacing The Toilet Flapper
More often than not, when the flapper is beyond repair and worn out, it will continuously clean, even if you clean it often.
This and the additional water supply issues these flappers could cause seem to have no other way than a replacement. So, here’s how you can replace your Kohler toilet flapper.
- Switch off the water supply by pressing the valve button off at the back of the toilet. Simply rotate it clockwise for the water supply to shut down.
- Flush to eradicate as much water as you can from the toilet.
- Lift the lid and set it aside.
- Unhinge the flapper chain.
- Remove the flapper pegs from its overflowing tube.
- Before settling in the new flapper, clean the area well.
- Install the replacement flapper and attach the pegs to the flapper’s overflowing tube.
- Attach the flapper chain.
- Switch on the water supply.
- Lastly, check to see if the water is filling within the Kohler tank correctly and if there are any signs of leaks.
Here is how to replace the flapper!
Is there any low water pressure you need to fix?
- Inspect The Toilet Pressure
Another reason for water not filling or filling the tank too slowly could be because of low water pressure. These errors within the system occur because of old and clogged water pipes and possible leaks.
Firstly, you must understand if low water pressure is the cause. If you think there is no other problem causing the malfunction, you can try blowing air through the pipes strongly after removing it.
If this trick doesn’t work, you might have to seek help from a professional.
- Replacing The Overflowing Tube
Despite the rare occurrence, sometimes the overflow tube in the Kohler toilets could crack and thus, send water to the toilet bowls nonstop from the water tanks.
If your Kohler toilet is running continuously or not filling up at all, this could be one of the reasons. Fortunately, even on these rare occasions, you don’t have to break into a sweat to fix it. Instead, you can pull out the old valve base and install a new one.
Ensure that you’ve purchased the correct size before installing, and your Kohler toilet should be as good as new again. Here is a cool video explaining what to do in those cases.
Preventing Future Fill Problems
To help avoid toilet tank fill issues going forward:
- Use toilet tank tablets to prevent mineral buildup on components
- Avoid exposing toilet internals to harsh cleaners
- Clean debris from valves and flappers periodically
- Replace worn parts proactively before failures occur
- Have professional inspect tank components during routine maintenance
Proper preventive maintenance extends the operational life and helps maximize performance of toilet tank components. But even following best practices, parts may still eventually need replacement from regular wear and tear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If a Kohler toilet tank isn’t filling after flushing, the most common causes are a leaking flapper seal, a stuck fill valve float, debris interfering with valve operation, or worn valve components needing replacement.
For toilets not filling the tank, lack of adequate water supply, a clogged supply line, or problems with the fill valve or flush valve preventing them from sealing and opening properly during the refill process are the most likely causes.
Turn off the toilet water supply and flush to empty the tank. Remove the fill valve and disassemble. Clean off any debris, mineral deposits, or corrosion from the seals, springs, and washers using a brush and mild vinegar solution. Reassemble and reinstall.
Remove the tank lid. Turn the water off and flush the toilet. Turn the adjustment screw on top of the fill valve to lower or raise the water level as needed. Turn water back on and allow tank to refill before re-adjusting as necessary to set the desired level. Replace the tank lid when finished adjusting.
Conclusion
Believe it or not, no matter which toilet you use, we have all faced similar issues in the past. But luckily, now, when your Kohler toilet tank won’t fill with water, you will know what to do.
The trick is to inspect and locate the leading cause of the issue first. Once you comprehend which toilet’s components malfunction, the fix will come easy with minimum handiwork.
Moreover, maintenance is key in avoiding or solving Kohler toilets for long-term service.
My Kohler toilet is brand new, one piece unit. The float on the fill valve doesn’t want to drop to the bottom to allow the fill valve to open. When touching the adjustment screw with very slight downward pressure, it turns on and fills the tank as designed. What can be done to make this operate as intended? I’ve tried adding a penny to the float to help it go down, but it doesn’t seem to solve the problem.