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How do I Adjust Toilet Water Level?

Erica Stratton
Erica Stratton

Adjusting the water level in a toilet can usually be done by tweaking the flushing apparatus inside the tank. In order to see what you have to work with, you will first have to lift the lid on your toilet tank to find the flushing apparatus. When the toilet is flushed, the plunger will lift up and the water will rush out the drain. When the flap drops back into place, the water should automatically flow back into the tank until it reaches a certain level. Usually there will be a "floater," a piece of floating rubber or plastic attached to the apparatus, which will signal that the water level has been reached.

Toilet water level can be adjusted by tweaking the flushing apparatus inside the tank.
Toilet water level can be adjusted by tweaking the flushing apparatus inside the tank.

Depending on the style and age of the toilet, the floater will look different. Some of them are hollow rubber balls attached to the end of metal or plastic floating arms. When the ball rises on the water to a certain level, the movement of the floating arm shuts off the water. Other times, the floater will take the form of a cup. If you can't see a floater, your toilet may have a floatless apparatus and the water level can be adjusted by means of a screw.

Depending on the style and age of the toilet, the floater will look different.
Depending on the style and age of the toilet, the floater will look different.

Usually, the floater can be adjusted by hand in order to change the toilet water level. Bending the floater arm up or down will allow there to be more or less water inside a tank. A floater cup will have a clip that can be adjusted for a higher or lower water level. A flushing apparatus without a floater may require a screwdriver in order to adjust the toilet water level sensor.

Some people may prefer to adjust they toilets to a lower water level to save money.
Some people may prefer to adjust they toilets to a lower water level to save money.

Sometimes, the floater will have become waterlogged and will no longer float. If this is the case, the floater will need to be replaced. Checking the seals around the water drain is also a good idea. If they are corroded and leaking, water will continue to run continuously in the toilet, making it impossible for the proper toilet water level to be reached.

You may need to adjust your toilet water level for many reasons. The toilet may not be taking in enough water, which will result in incomplete flushing. Too high a water level may run continuously and cost you more money than you can afford. Usually, the kind of adjustments needed to change the toilet water level can easily be done in a few minutes. If your toilet is still not working properly, you may have to have the entire apparatus replaced.

Discussion Comments

Buster29

You wouldn't think something like a toilet could be so problematic, but I have had more trouble with the toilets in my house than just about any other appliance. The other day, I noticed a low water level in the toilet bowl, and the water seemed to be constantly flowing. The toilet tank water level was also a little low. It turned out that the rubber flapper seal was waterlogged after years of service, and it wasn't forming a tight seal anymore.

I found a replacement for that flapper, then bent the floater assembly upwards to raise the toilet bowl water level. Now the water in the bowl doesn't keep flowing, and the water in the tank cuts off when it reaches the line.

Cageybird

At least in the toilet tanks I've seen, there is usually a water line marked on the toilet tank wall itself. That's usually the ideal level for a proper flush. If I'm having problems with a tank flush valve not cutting off, I'll first see if the water is reaching that line or not. One thing you might want to check is the overall levelness of the toilet in general. If the bolts holding it to the floor are looser on one side, you may want to tighten them down with a wrench before working on the toilet water level.

The kind of flush valve in my tank doesn't have an external floater. The entire assembly is mounted to a post, and will not cut off until the water level pushed an internal floater from below. If the water level is too low, I need to make an adjustment on a screw with a screwdriver. You may also want to check the flap that seals off the tank during a flush. If it doesn't seat itself properly, the water may continue to leak a little and the proper toilet bowl water level may never be reached.

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    • Toilet water level can be adjusted by tweaking the flushing apparatus inside the tank.
      By: okinawakasawa
      Toilet water level can be adjusted by tweaking the flushing apparatus inside the tank.
    • Depending on the style and age of the toilet, the floater will look different.
      By: LoloStock
      Depending on the style and age of the toilet, the floater will look different.
    • Some people may prefer to adjust they toilets to a lower water level to save money.
      By: foto76
      Some people may prefer to adjust they toilets to a lower water level to save money.