For various reasons, you might just suddenly find your toilet not working properly. It might be making some noise, not filling up properly or not flushing. That is why it is important to take note of the components inside your toilet tank.
Today, we will be featuring a simple buying guide to help you find the best toilet fill valve for your home. Not only are we including some factors to consider, but we will also include several reviews on toilet fill valves you might want to try for your home.
Last update on 2024-04-30 at 16:28 PST - Details
What is the Toilet Fill Valve?
No matter how new your toilet maybe, you are bound to encounter some issues later on. Given that of course, you use your bathroom every single day. And most of the times, the problem can just be found in the tank.
Your septic tank might be an issue as well. But then, a lot of the components which flush your toilet is in the reservoir. So it is okay to assume that the first thing you must check when having problems is the tank.
Inside the reservoir would be the fill valve, handle arm, chain, tank bolt, flapper, flush valve, float, and others. The toilet fill valve is the one responsible for refilling the toilet tank after you flush.
However, as you use your bathroom every day, it is natural that the bathroom fill valve might wear out or lose proper alignment. But, we are not implying that a faulty fill valve might cause all toilet problems.
Here’s a list of possible problems that might lead to your fill valve:
Noisy Toilet
You may have already heard your toilet making sounds in the middle of the night, or making humming noises after you use it. Do not ignore it. That might be a sign that something is wrong with your tank.
Do not be afraid to open the tank to check it.
Slow Refilling
When you tank is pretty slow in refilling, you will notice that no matter how much you press on the flush, little to no water comes out. That is because it does not refill fast enough the amount of water needed to wash.
Instead of pressing the flush over and over, try checking inside the tank. Again, the problem might just lie inside the reservoir.
Tank Won’t Refill
Now, if you hear your toilet as if it’s endlessly refilling but never actually stopping, then it might have something to do with your fill valve. That can be a little urgent because if it doesn’t completely refill, you will not be able to use it to flush for the next time.
Leaking/Running Toilet
On the one hand, this issue can be one that’s very troublesome. It can affect your water bills if not dealt with immediately. So, if you notice any running of water or leaking from your toilet, check it and immediately try to get it fixed.
Not only can it interrupt your daily usage of the toilet, but it can also cause your water bill to spike.
If you encounter any of these symptoms or problems, it is best to check the tank. And if it is your toilet fill valve that is causing the problem, do not be afraid of replacing it with a new one. It will greatly benefit you in the long run.
Just that, make sure it is completely compatible with your toilet. Here are some things you might want to look into before buying a replacement.
So, How Do You Find the Best One for Your Toilet?
When finding the best toilet fill valve for your home, you have to take note of the types as well. There are four types of toilet fill valves:
Ballcock or Plunger Type
The ballcock or plunger type is an old fill valve type. It composes a float ball and a brass arm. This kind comes with a brass attached with a ballcock valve and sealed with a rubber washer.
When damaged, you can only just “repair” it with a new rubber washer. As long as all the parts come out in one whole piece, that is.
Diaphragm Style
On the other hand, the diaphragm style fill valve comes with mostly plastic. Although the ball and the float arm look similar to that of the plunger’s, the diaphragm style might be a little hard to “repair.”
With this said, you can just replace it with the new one. And don’t worry; diaphragm style fill valves are very cheap, enough for you to replace it with new ones now and then.
Floatless Ballcock
As for the floatless ballcock (also known as the “cupless” style), can sense the water level from the bottom of the tank with its diaphragm. Its size is perfect for low profile tanks. Also, this is the easiest to adjust when it comes to water level adjustments.
You simply have to turn the screw on top of the fill valve.
Cup Type
Lastly, would be the container type fill valve. Among all the types of fill valve mentioned, this one is the most recent or most modern. When you buy a toilet, the cup type would probably be the most common you’ll see.
What’s great about this type is that it can be as universal as its size can be easily adjusted. As long as it is anywhere between 7 to 13 inches, then you are already set.
Aside from the type, size, its compatibility with your toilet itself and the price might also play a significant factor. That is true, especially when choosing the best one for your home. So make sure you don’t get pressured by sales talk.
If you can make a list of the things you feel are important as well, do so. Do not be afraid to say no to sales people. You are the one who knows your home and its needs well.
Our Top 5 Picks
Fluidmaster opens our top five picks with its robust and efficient toilet fill valve. The valve is made of both high-quality plastic and rubber, giving the fill valve maximum durability. However, besides its quality, Fluidmaster offers you an offer that you might not be able to resist.
It is the flapper repair kit. As we all might’ve experienced at one point or another, the toilet fill valve and flapper can break over time. With this bonus, you’ll get more help and a cheaper bargain because it’s two in one.
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Korky is a renowned brand when it comes to toilet innovation and technology. With that said, the Quiet Fill toilet fill valve is a great take on toilet innovation. The main take here is that you’ll probably love its easy installation feature.
Korky presents a nifty twist-lock adjustment that enables you to install it without needing any tools at all. What’s even better is that Korky designed this toilet fill valve to be universal. Meaning, you don’t need to worry about the fit because it can be adjusted to meet your bathroom’s specifications.
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TOTO is another known brand that comes third in our list with its universal fill valve like the previous one. Besides it being a great fit for almost all toilets, TOTO continues its tradition in designing the TSU99A fill valve. Thus, it the transitional, traditional, and contemporary styles that TOTO is known for remain with this universal refill valve.
Further, TOTO has implemented a sound flow rate system that can also be adjusted. That is especially useful for two-piece toilet systems that TOTO specializes. You can also adjust the height of the valve without any trouble.
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Kohler comes fourth on our list with its refill valve plus kit. The first thing you’ll see with Kohler’s product is that it arrives in a sleek black finish that looks durable. In fact, it is thanks to the brand using high-grade plastic and rubber as its main materials.
Regarding durability, Kohler might be the best one in this list. Not only does the paint job give it a fresh finish, but it also keeps it dirt free and clean. While that might sound irrelevant since it’s hidden, it’s a sign that this refill valve will be quiet for a long time.
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Last on our list is Plumbcraft anti-siphon valve. Plumbcraft approaches their product with practicality and efficiency. One of the great things about this product is that it has flow adjustment caps.
These caps help save you water for every toilet flush. The anti-siphon technology that it applies is also top notch, keeping your water sanitation safe. Lastly, you’d also love Plumbcraft quiet refilling system.
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Our Verdict
Toilet components might sound simplistic to fuss. Although toilets are one of the most necessities for our homes, it’s not something to overlook. One of the most critical components are these toilet fill valves that we have just reviewed.
Taking efficiency, quietness, speed, and durability into account, the winner for this article goes to TOTO’s toilet fill valve. It hardly has any problems, unless you’re bothered by the 25-second refill delay it has compared to other products.
Although not the fastest, it’s quiet and durable. Those are two things that you should prioritize over factor when it comes to toilet valves. With that said, good luck buying and don’t forget to share your thoughts below!
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