What Is Toilet Float? Everything You Need To Know About Toilet Float

Ever experienced a constantly running toilet that is disturbing your peace? You might want to check your toilet float for possible answers. But the question we would first like to know is this: What is toilet float? We will be discussing what you need to know about toilet float, problems associated with toilet float, and more in this informative guide.

Toilet float is the part that aids the flow of water in your toilet and this helps with easily flushing. However, once your toilet float refuses to work the way it’s meant to, it can cause water wastage. Hence, this water wastage can result in you paying water bills you didn’t plan for.

Getting to know more about your toilet float can really go a long way in solving common issues associated with your toilet. In most cases, the problems associated with your toilet float may just require some simple adjustments.

So, in this article, you will learn what a toilet float is and other essential things to know about toilet float.

What Is Toilet Float?

There’s a good chance you’ve come across a toilet float if there has been issues with your toilet. So, to the question what is toilet float, here’s our answer: A toilet float is that configured part you see once you lift the lid of your toilet tank.

Thanks to this toilet float, water can easily fill your tank without it overflowing. This toilet float we’re talking about can also be referred to as ballcock or float valve.

The Design Of Toilet Float

The design of toilet float is constantly changing over time and new materials are been used for the construction. However, both the old and new designs of a toilet float work alike.

An old-design toilet float usually has a rod in form of metal and a plastic ball connected to the rod. But in this day and age, there is this configured part the flushing system work with – it is a cylinder that is round in shape. Alternatively, you may have a float cup that goes up and down with the help of a vertical arm.

Ballcock Mechanism Of Action

The ballcock or toilet float features a valve and the water supply is linked to the valve. There is a lever connected to the ballcock which enables the water inlet to open and shut-off. As water fills up in the water reservoir after you flush your toilet, the float rises up.

So, as the ballcock goes up and attains a certain level, this makes the lever slows down the valve. This makes the water flowing into the tank cease and you stop hearing water running. However, if the float isn’t properly adjusted and isn’t working the way it’s meant to, you will continue to hear the water running.

Types Of Toilet Float

Ideally, your toilet tank should be one of these toilet floats we’ve listed below. These toilet float listed work in a similar fashion. The only difference is that these floats have been improved over the years.

1.    Float ball

If your toilet type is an old model, it’s likely you have a float ball model and it is also referred to as a ballcock. This type of float ball has been existing for a long time. The float ball is a round plastic ball connected to the fill valve through the float arm.

One crucial thing to note about this float ball is that the ball should be floating. However, if you notice the ball isn’t floating, check if the ball has water inside. It is important for the ball to be empty always so that it can float. But if there is water inside the ball, it’s advisable to replace the ball.

2.    Float cup

Float cup is another type of toilet float that is quite popular in modern toilets and can be used with both single flush and dual flush. You can find the float cup attached to the vertical body of the fill valve.

3.    Internal float

Internal float is another new type of toilet float and it is a little improvement to float cup. An excellent benefit of installing this type is that it refills water slowly and can accurately turn off water. Also, if you’re bothered about the trickling sound as water fills the tank, then you should consider purchasing this type of toilet float.

Problems Associated With Toilet Float: Causes And DIY Solutions

A few times, you may experience some toilet issues as a homeowner. Even though you can hire a professional to solve the issues, a wise option is to learn how to fix it yourself. A simple adjustment in your toilet float can do the trick and you won’t need to spend extra money to hire a professional.

So, below are some of the most common issues you may face with your toilet and some easy DIY solutions:

1. Constantly running toilet

A constantly running toilet leads to water wastage and this is quite an expensive issue to have. The continuous trickling water sound alone can be pretty annoying.

Causes: The common culprit to this issue is when the float isn’t set properly. Other cause may be from your valve.

Solution: The first step to solving your toilet float issue is to do some investigation by lifting up the tank’s lid. If you notice the water level is too high and it’s causing water to flow down the overflow tube, then the overflow tube needs to be adjusted. If there is an issue with the valve, then you will need to replace it.

2. A weak toilet flush

A weak toilet flush can cause you to flush twice and this can be pretty frustrating.

Cause: The common cause is when there isn’t adequate water in the tank.

Solution: simply adjusting the water float to raise the water level in the tank can do the trick.

3. Toilet tank refills slowly

Another annoying issue is when your toilet tank takes extra time to fill up.

Cause: The issue here may be a faulty fill valve. The fault may be because the valve is blocked by mineral deposits.

Solution: the mineral buildup can be cleared out or replace the valve.

4. Too low water level in the bowl

There is a particular water level the bowl needs to attain and if it’s low, there is an issue with the fill valve.

Causes: The fill valve isn’t filling the tank with adequate water.

Solution: The solution is to adjust the float.

Extra note: If you’re unable to solve the issue with your toilet after trying the above DIY solutions, you can call for professional help.

Conclusion

Once you can learn how to do some simple adjustments in your toilet; that’s a step forward in solving most issues you may face with your toilet.

So, we hope our guidelines have enlightened you and have been able to answer the question: what is toilet float?