How to Adjust Water Level in Toilet Bowl Kohler – Complete guide in 2021

How to Adjust Water Level in Toilet Bowl Kohler

Though Kohler is a standard flashing system, you may find toilet bowl water level too high when flushing or low from the standard height. In normal sense, a high or low water level in the toilet bowl seems not a problem for us. But with the time, you’ll face many problems. If the water level rises too high, that means, the flapper inside the Kohler system more than 1.6 gallons of water from the tank to bowl. That indicates that the tank hasn’t a sufficient amount of water for flushing, which is the reason behind not having a strong flush. Besides a low water level in the bowl can cause blocks and clogs. The good news is, no need to hire a repairer or anyone to fix the problem, you can do it yourself. All you need is a screwdriver. So, let’s start our journey on how to adjust the water level in toilet bowl Kohler.

Contents

Adjusting Water level in Toilet Bowl

Adjustment of water level means not only the toilet bowl water level too high when flushing but also for lower water level. You can fix this problem by following two different methods for older and latest Kohler toilets. Also, by replacing the entire fill valve, you can get rid of this problem.

Process: By Fixing the Ball and Arm Float

  1. Removing the tank lid should be the first step before starting the fixing inside the tank. Yeah, it seems very casual, but it is essential to know that, some lids are ceramic made and they can break easily if you drop them roughly. Just lift the lid and place it carefully somewhere.
  2. Now carefully watch the water level inside the tank. The proper water height inside the tank is 2.5-5.1 cm below the fill valve and overflow tube. If you see higher or lower than usual, maybe the water level is off-balanced. Also, you’ll find mark inside the wall of the tank on where the water level should be. 
  3. Now you have to do some fixing in the tank. Do not try to do this fixing without emptying the tank. First, locate the external water knob and rotate it clock till the end. Then flush sink, and you’ll see the tank is refilling itself.
  4. Now, look carefully on the flushing mechanism and see if there has any critical condition or damages. If you see any, you might need to call a repairer to fix it. Check the float, which is like a plastic ball attached to the long arm at the top of the fill valve. Float height determines the water if it hangs lower or higher than the water level; it is probably the reason behind your high/low water level in the bowl. Give the float a budge. If you find water inside it, you may have to call a plumber to fix it or replace it.
  5. Suppose you haven’t found any damages on the float, but it has a height problem. Then for raising and lowering the float height, you have to use a screwdriver. There is a screw on the top of the fill valve. A single rotation clockwise and anti-clockwise will help to raise or lower the water level.

    Do not try to rotate more than one rotation at a time. Making huge adjustments won’t work for Kohler. It may cause a flush problem. Also, you can adjust the float by turning itself if you find the screw rusty. This is how to adjust the water level in the toilet tank with a ball.
  6. Now turn on the external water source by rotating the knob. It may take 2 minutes to fill up. After filling up the water in the tank, do a flush. See the water level of the bowl. The problem of water level should be solved. If it is not, try adjusting the float a few more times. You’ll find a solution if there is no internal damage.

Process: Adjusting One-piece Float

  1. This process for newer Kohler toilet troubleshooting. The new Kohler toilets tank is equipped with one-piece floats. You won’t find any ball and arm structure.  In this system, there is a solid cylinder fitted to the rod of the fill valve. If you Kohler has a cylinder float fitted with a fill valve, you can adjust it easily. Cylinder valves are easy to setup. Also, you can do the maintenance of the cylinder valve quite comfortably. It is suitable for amateur people to repair.
  2. Remove the lid and place it aside gently. Do not try to put it roughly on the floor. Now carefully watch the water level in the tank. If you find it is higher or lower than the ideal water level, then you have to adjust it. Turn off the external water supply that is located on the wall. Just rotate it clockwise to stop the water supply. Make sure you rotate it till the end, and there is no chance of refilling the tank. Now flush the toilet and wait for it to be emptied.
  1. Now find the adjustment stem. It remains on the side of the float. It is a tall tenor tube which associates to the larger fill valve. You’ll find the stem either run collateral with the valve. Sometimes it extends horizontally out from the top. This adjustment stem will help you to increase or decrease the amount of water in the tank.
  2. You’ll see a release clip besides the cylinder float, by squeezing the clip you can adjust the water level. Raising the clip will help to raise, and lowering the clip will help to reduce the water level.
    If you don’t see any improvement of the water level, you’ll need to find the toilet’s adjustment dial.
  3. Raising or lowering the float ½ inch should be your aim. Try to use 2 fingers to pinch the notched dial at the end of the stem. By twisting the stem anti-clockwise and clockwise single full rotation, you can adjust a suitable height for the float. Do not over try to turn the adjustment stem. If you find it hard to rotate, then there will have screwdriver notch. Screws fasten some of the adjustment dials.
  1. Now place the lid on the tank and turn on the external water supply. Flush the toilet for a few times, and you’ll find the latest height of the water in the bowl.  Try this method for sometimes, if it won’t ensure the perfect level of water.

Process: Installing a New Fluidmaster Fill Valve

How to Adjust Water Level in Toilet Bowl Kohler

Fluidmaster is the quietest and powerful replacement of Kohler toilet. It offers 2X bowl refill and 1.6 of lower GPF toilets. Also, it has a water-saving roller clamp which allows us to regulate the fill level in the bowl. The 400AH is also known as the most powerful toilet fill valve in the market. If you have no way other than replacing Kohler than replace that with Fluidmaster which helps to prevent inadequate and excessive fill in the bowl, that’s why we are now on the verge of discussing how to adjust water level in the toilet bowl with fluidmaster.

Prepare for Installation

  • First of all, remove the lid and indicate the water level in the tank with a permanent marker.
  • Turn-off the external water supply.
  • Flush the toilet.
  • Remove the remaining water from the tank with a sponge.
  • Disconnect the connector and fill valve.
  • Now dispel the old fill valve 

Adjusting the Fluidmaster Fill Valve for Installation

  • Place shank washer flat side up.
  • Now set the top of the fill valve 3 inches above the overflow pipe. On the top of the slender shank, you’ll see a sign of critical level. You have to ensure it remains 1 inch above the overflow pipe. Do not try to move the lock ring.
  • To increase the water level in the bowl, twist the stem anti-clockwise. For decreasing, twist it clockwise.

Installing the New Fill Valve

  • Pass the bottom portion of the fill valve through the hole inside the base of the tank. The rest portion of the valve will remain upright. Press the valve down and tightening the lock nut outside from the tank. The fill valve should feel secure. There won’t be any wobbling of the fill valve. Hand-tighten the nut, do not try to over tighten the nut.
  • Now attach the refill tube to the clip. Attach the clip to the right side of the overflow pipe and the other end to the valve.  

Connecting Water Supply and Adjusting Tank Water Level

  • First, install the connector to the fill valve. Tighten the plastic nut by only hand. Do not try to tighten it over.
  • Now turn on the water supply by twisting the knob and check for any leaks.
  • Turn water level adjustment screw to set the water level—½ inch below the top flush valve overflow tube.

Adjusting the Level of Water in Bowl Using Roller Clamp

  • Flush the toilet and see the level of water in the bowl.
  • You can adjust the bowl refill simply by rolling dial.
  • You’ll see marks on the roller dial. The higher the marks, the higher the water level of the bowl. If you dial the roller on a lower number, the water level will be decreased after flushing.

FAQ

How to Adjust Water Level in Toilet Bowl Kohler?


We’ve already discussed it. The water level of the bowl depends on the height of the float. Turn the screw above the fill valve a full rotation clockwise for raising and anti-clockwise to lower the water level. Then turn on the water supply and after filling the tank, flush the toilet. You’ll see the sign of adjustment in the toilet bowl.

why does water in toilet bowl get low?

It happens because most probably your full tube is broken or damaged. The fill tube is the main reasons behind the water level of the bowl. A damaged fill tube doesn’t allow to flow the exact amount of water before the tank is properly filled.

How to adjust Glacier Bay toilet water level in the bowl?


Has your glacier bay toilet not enough water in the bowl? Firstly, to check whether the water is emptying into the overflow tube. Then you can decrease the water level by adjusting the float. Normally, a Glacier Bay toilet has a cup-like float. The float remains connected to the fill valve by a plastic rod. You have to unhook the rod from the valve and lengthen it by one or two notches. That helps the float switch off the valve. After adjusting the rod properly, the water level will remain one inch below the overflow tube.

You can watch this Final Note

The water level in a toilet bowl controlled by the level in the tank and internal S-trap. That’s why you don’t need to get panicked about how to adjust the water level in toilet bowl Kohler. It is not a hard task to do. Just do not take an attempt to repair without emptying it. For the modern toilet flush system, if you struggle to twist the stem, do not forget to look if there are any adjustment dials secured by screws. Hopefully, you can fix your Kohler toilet water level problem by yourself.