Low Water Level in Toilet Bowl?

[SVK]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure if I have a broken toilet or a broken husband, and I'm hoping for some advice regarding the correct toilet bowl water level.

Here's the deal:

We have owned the house for nine years. There are two baths, each with a Kohler toilet.

The upstairs toilet has always had an extremely low level of water in the bowl (barely high enough to cover the hole in the bottom of the bowl). The toilet also makes a big GURGLE noise when flushed and has been known to create a splash that I'd nicely classify as "unpleasant". So, unless it's an emergency I avoid this toilet, because using it is frankly gross (in my opinion). I have had to let go of my annoyance at this for nine years in the interest of marital harmony. I figured at least I had a non-freaky toilet in the downstairs bath.

The downstairs toilet, up until recently, has always had what I consider to be a "normal" water level in the bowl. However, a few weeks ago this toilet developed an issue: after flushing, the filling of the tank just kept running. Husband did some sort of repair (involving duct tape) in the tank. This fixed the "water continually running" issue. BUT...now the water level in the toilet bowl is much lower than it was before. Not quite as low as the upstairs toilet. And occasionally - maybe 20% of the time - the water level even looks close to "normal"....but sometimes this normal looking water level will slowly drop, like the water is just slowly draining out. Honestly though, most of the time it's just low. Also, when I flush this toilet now, the flush handle feels clanky and loose.

Husband's point of view is that as long as the toilets flush, then everything is fine, and the level of water in the bowl is not important as long as everything "works".

Clearly I know next to nothing about toilets and plumbing, but none of this seems right to me. So I guess my question is - can anyone point me in the right direction here? Advice? I looked around online and unfortunately there's not a website with a graphic saying "DUDE, your wife is right about the water level being too low and here's a picture explaining why!"

If you've read this far, THANK YOU, and I apologize for my inelegant descriptions of my toilet woes!

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[WorthFlorida]

b .....Husband did some sort of repair (involving duct tape) in the tank. .........

There once was a sign on the plumbers truck, "I fix what your husband broke!"

The problem with both toilets is most likely the fill tube is not inside the overflow tub. While the tank is filling, some of the water is diverted via small rubber like tub (about 1/8") and it must be place just on the inside of the overflow tub. It cannot be too low in the overflow otherwise the water can be siphoned out of the tank and the water will constantly run on and off forever. Your units are most likely 1.6 gallon flush. Water levels are not that high but generally most won't complain since they work. new 1.6 gallon flush toilets made during the 1990's were notoriously bad flushers. It wasn't unitl past Y2K that the manufacturer's got it right.

This video explains it at around the 1:00 minute mark.

 

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[Reach4]

And occasionally - maybe 20% of the time - the water level even looks close to "normal"....but sometimes this normal looking water level will slowly drop, like the water is just slowly draining out. Honestly though, most of the time it's just low. Also, when I flush this toilet now, the flush handle feels clanky and loose.

When the bowl is low, can you add water to bring the level up? If so, it would probably call for either a new fill valve, or adjusting the fill valve that you have if the refill is adjustable.

For the toilet that does not flush well, toilets don't have to be that expensive. Swap it. It is better to not work too much on those, because once you put a lot of work in, you feel invested.

There are more expensive toilets, but for under 300 plus labor, you can get a toilet that flushes very well. Look, you are not hanging around the bars or casinos. Go for it.

 

[Jadnashua]

The hose is what fills the bowl draining there via the overflow tube. When new, there should have been a clip to hold it over the overflow tube as if it is pushed down into it, it could siphon the bowl.

Depending on the fill valve you have in the toilet, if the water doesn't stop flowing, it's either one of two things:
- the flapper valve needs replacing
- if it's overflowing into the tube, the valve needs either servicing or replacement.

Some fill valve can easily be returned to new condition with a replacement seal. It's generally easy to replace the flapper valve. Kohler likes to do things their own way, and yours may be unique to Kohler, and getting repair parts can be a pain.

Can't think of a toilet repair where tape is a good, long-term fix, though!