Quick Answer:
After a city water outage you can get grit and sediment in your pipes. First run nearby taps until the water runs clear, then remove and clean the fill valve inlet screen in the toilet tank to clear trapped debris. If cleaning doesn’t restore normal refill speed, it’s reasonable to get professional help. For related issues see Slow refill after winterization.
Why This Happens
When water service is interrupted and restored, flow can dislodge sediment, mineral flakes, and small particles from old pipes and mains. Those particles travel into home plumbing and can collect on small screens and valve ports in toilet fill valves. A clogged inlet screen or valve port reduces flow into the tank and makes the bowl or tank take longer to refill.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Flush nearby faucets first
- Open a cold tap at a sink or hose bib near the toilet and let it run until the water is clear and pressure feels normal. This clears larger grit from the supply line so less reaches the toilet.
- Check both cold and hot only if you suspect widespread sediment; most particles come through cold supply lines.
2. Turn off the toilet supply and drain the tank
- Close the shutoff valve at the wall (usually behind the toilet). If there’s no valve, shut off the main house valve.
- Flush the toilet to empty the tank so you can access the fill valve parts safely.
3. Remove and clean the fill valve inlet screen
- Locate the fill valve at the left or center of the tank. The inlet screen is a small mesh or plastic filter where the supply line connects to the fill valve.
- Unscrew or pull the inlet fitting (some models have a cap). Remove the screen and rinse it under clean water, gently brushing grit away with an old toothbrush or soft brush.
- Reassemble the fitting, turn the shutoff back on slowly, and watch for leaks. Let the tank refill and check speed.
4. Test and make simple adjustments
- If refill is still slow but water from the sink was clear, try slightly loosening the supply nut and briefly running water to flush remaining debris, then retighten.
- Verify the float or fill valve adjustment is set for the proper water level; sediment sometimes jacks the float or cup up slightly.
5. Check other signs and special cases
- If only one bathroom is affected but upstairs fixtures are slow, check higher-level supply lines. For an upstairs-only issue, see Tank refills slowly upstairs only.
- If multiple fixtures have low flow or visible sediment, you may have a larger service-line issue worth reporting to your water utility.
What Not to Do
- Don’t keep cycling the toilet after an outage without cleaning the inlet screens—repeated flushes can push grit deeper into the valve and wear or jam moving parts.
- Don’t ignore a sustained slow refill. If basic cleaning and flushing nearby taps don’t fix it, a plumber is appropriate rather than continuing to force the valve or repeatedly flushing.
When to Call a Professional
- Persistent low refill after you’ve cleaned the screen and flushed nearby fixtures.
- Multiple toilets or other fixtures still show sediment or low flow.
- Visible damage to the fill valve, continuous leaks, or you’re unsure how to reassemble the valve.
Safety Notes
- Turn off the water supply before removing parts. Avoid working on the valve with the supply on under pressure.
- Handle the porcelain tank lid carefully—set it on a towel to prevent chipping or cracking.
- Do not pour strong chemical cleaners into the tank to try to dissolve grit; they can damage seals and parts.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Q: How long should flushing nearby taps take? A: Run taps until water looks clear and pressure feels normal, usually a minute or two.
- Q: Can I replace the fill valve myself? A: Yes if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing and shutoff valves; otherwise call a plumber.
- Q: Will a water utility send someone for sediment after an outage? A: You can report heavy discoloration or sediment; utilities sometimes advise flushing lines or investigate larger supply issues.
For more related articles, see the nan hub.