What would cause low water pressure to toilet

[spidey07]

Had a toilet that wasn't filling so picked up a ballcock to replace. That helped and the toilet tank is filling, but it is filling VERY slowly. I took off the ballcock valve just to check water pressure, in other toilets it will stream out of the ballcock and almost hit the ceiling if I let it.

On this one the pressure is so low the water only rises about 1 inch above the ballcock. Took the supply line off the ballcock and tested into a jug. Sure enough I'd be lucky to get a gallon a minute out of it.

Any ideas? I replaced the supply line already (the hose from the valve to ballcock). Water pressure in the sink and shower are fine. Overall house pressure is 60 psi. This is on the 2nd floor however, other restroom doesn't have this trouble.

My only guess is something is clogging the in wall plumbing on this one outlet.

 

[SandEagle]

big craps.
you said ballcock lol

 

[OCGuy]

Aging prostate is the #1 cause of low water pressure going into the toilet....

I hear there could be increased leaking and dribbling as well.

Good luck.

 

[JamesV]

Clog or you have a hidden valve somewhere that isn't fully turned on.

 

[OCGuy]

LOL. Spidey said supply line.

 

[spidey07]

LOL. Spidey said supply line.

True story, wife knew I was replacing it today. She texted:

"Hope your having fun playing with your ballcock"

 

[spidey07]

Clog or you have a hidden valve somewhere that isn't fully turned on.

Seems about the only way given pressure is good in the rest of the floor including same bathroom.

 

[highland145]

Could just be the supply valve clog.


Your kitchen thread, spent $22K on a 10X14...looks awesome, I only paid for one new appliance, but quality costs.


Or viagra.

 

[steppinthrax]

The fill valve tends to get clogged. I did 4 toilets in my house recently. Sediment tends to clog the fill valve after a while. If it's a fluidmaster type you can usually twist off the top and let it run with a cup over it to clean it out. If it's a ballcock type you will need to remove the 4 screws and let it run to clean it out.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Is it one of those pressure sensors instead of the ball? I find those pressure sensors can go bad and think the tank is almost full and the valve is barely open even when the tank is empty.

Come to think of it, my parent's toilet in the basement needs to have that part replaced. If I think about it I should go pickup the part at Canadian tire and fix it for them. They were going to get a plumber, and knowing them it will just sit that way for months before they actually do call somebody. Interestingly I've changed it before. They are hard on toilets lol.

 

[spidey07]

The fill valve tends to get clogged. I did 4 toilets in my house recently. Sediment tends to clog the fill valve after a while. If it's a fluidmaster type you can usually twist off the top and let it run with a cup over it to clean it out. If it's a ballcock type you will need to remove the 4 screws and let it run to clean it out.

I did replace the ballcock with a fluidmaster so it's new.

If I take the ballcock valve off and let it run the water pressure is so low I don't even have to hold something over it to keep the water from shooting out. It's got less pressure than a water fountain it seems. Water only rises about an inch above the outlet where the valve was sitting/removed.

 

[highland145]

So is there a valve below the toilet?

 

[spidey07]

Is it one of those pressure sensors instead of the ball? I find those pressure sensors can go bad and think the tank is almost full and the valve is barely open even when the tank is empty.

Come to think of it, my parent's toilet in the basement needs to have that part replaced. If I think about it I should go pickup the part at Canadian tire and fix it for them. They were going to get a plumber, and knowing them it will just sit that way for months before they actually do call somebody. Interestingly I've changed it before. They are hard on toilets lol.

I've done a lot of toilet work in this home. It's not hard at all really.

I'll call a plumber only for things I can't see or diagnose, like this one. Or if my work runs the risk of breaking something behind the wall or permanent plumbing. It's a guest bathroom so not a big deal as it's not used much. Might be one of the reasons it's clogged/restricted - hardly ever used.

The valve seal is probably what needs to be replaced on your folks. They don't last forever, they get stiff. Yes, the ballcock gets stiff. Or just needs to be cleaned as mentioned.

 

[spidey07]

So is there a valve below the toilet?

Yes, when it is open full bore I'm getting maybe a gallon per minute or likely less of flow out of it. I tested this by taking the supply line off the BALLCOCK and running it into a bucket/jug with the valve open.

teeeheeeee....ballcock

 

[highland145]

Yes, when it is open full bore I'm getting maybe a gallon per minute or likely less of flow out of it. I tested this by taking the supply line off the BALLCOCK and running it into a bucket/jug with the valve open.

Crap in the valve? Or...builder put the valve on backwards? Makes the stop washer on the wrong side.

 

[TridenT]

Did you try cleaning out the main connecting pipe? (The pipe/connector that comes out of the wall, basically) Shut off the supply and start doing some sounding, baby!

 

[spidey07]

Did you try cleaning out the main connecting pipe? (The pipe/connector that comes out of the wall, basically) Shut off the supply and start doing some sounding, baby!

I don't know how to do that. The problem is either in that pipe or the valve.

I guess I could shut off the main and shove a fishtape down there or something. I could try replacing the valve but it's stuck on there so strong I'm afraid to put too much torque on it and damage anything behind the wall.

 

[highland145]

Shut off the water. Release the pressure downstairs. Take the toilet cut off valve, under the toilet, apart. See if there's any trash in it.

Copper, pvc?



Trident plumbing and spidey responding.... Not going to end well for the unarmed fruit dude.

Spidey, aren't you an engineer/electrical guy?

 

[edro]

It's probably in the valve. Maybe a chunk of something is stuck in the valve.
Did you fully open and fully close it a few times?
Is it an older valve stem style or a newer quarter turn ball valve style?

Those older style valves go bad easily. It is usually one of the o-rings inside. They usually just leak out the valve stem, but maybe the second o-ring failed and is blocking flow.

I'd replace it with a new quarter turn ball valve... if you have enough pipe sticking out of the floor/wall.

 

[spidey07]

Shut off the water. Release the pressure downstairs. Take the toilet cut off valve, under the toilet, apart. See if there's any trash in it.

Copper, pvc?



Trident plumbing and spidey responding.... Not going to end well for the unarmed fruit dude.

Spidey, aren't you an engineer/electrical guy?

Yes. Getting the shut off valve off or apart will be difficult. It's copper, lots of copper green corrosion "welding" the valve to the input shaft.

teehee...shaft

I tried to replace the shut off valve on another toilet. I gave up because the amount of torque I was putting on the pipe behind the wall concerned me I'd snap a joint behind the wall.

Pro-tip on shutting off your main told to me by a plumber:
1) Open the lowest faucet in the house, lets the water drain out
2) Close main shut off slowly, let water drain
3) MOST IMPORTANT - do NOT open main valve wide open when turning back on. That sudden rush of pressure will slam all joints and could break something.
4) Open main valve barely open to let pipes get up to pressure and then very slowly bring to full open

 

[spidey07]

It's probably in the valve. Maybe a chunk of something is stuck in the valve.
Did you fully open and fully close it a few times?
Is it an older valve stem style or a newer quarter turn ball valve style?

Yes, worked that shaft over fully with my ballcock.

It's older style where 3-4 turns to open/close.

 

[chimaxi83]

You've got your head pretty far up your ass, perhaps you finally passed it. Snake the drain, maybe it's in there.

 

[spidey07]

After some googling it's gotta be the valve.

I can see a needle valve getting messed up over time especially if it's never used.

Thank you edro