I've got a toilet in an area that isn't used very often. How can I add a slow leak to the tank or otherwise arrange to keep the water in the bowl from drying up? I'm looking for an option that requires little to no maintenance on my part, and doesn't require any special action by someone who uses the toilet as a toilet (so, eliminating evaporation by floating a layer of oil on top isn't an option).
How to maintain the water level in a toilet bowl during extended periods of disuse
toilet
Related Solutions
If the level in the tank is also extremely low it could be that the fill valve is adjusted way too low, thus not allowing enough water into the bowl from the refill tube.
The level in the bowl has nothing to do with the plumbing, it has to do with the design of the bowl. The track of the drain has an up "trap" and then down to the drain, so the water will only raise as high as the up trap then spill over into the drain.
Here is a visual:
It's essentially an external kidney stone.
You can use various types of acid - sometimes a alternating approach of chlorine bleach (by itself) to kill the biofilm that's exposed and acid (by itself) to remove the "more or less limestone" is beneficial. The biofilm can prevent or slow the acid from getting to the underlying stony material, and it tends to have a layered structure.
Vinegar works, but slowly. Citric acid should work better (it's a stronger acid) but can be harder to find. Muriatic (aka hydrochloric) makes me a bit uncomfortable, personally, but there are commercial toilet cleaners that contain it. Be sure to use gloves and goggles if you opt for the stronger stuff.
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Best Answer
Adjust the bowl refill tube to deliver the maximum rate to the bowl. Of course this wastes water on each flush, but this toilet isn't used very often.
Leave the cover off the tank.
Water will evaporate from the tank faster than from the bowl. When the tank evaporation triggers the float valve, the bowl will also get a big shot of water.