How do I choose the right toilet fill valve?
Toilet fill valves come in a range of sizes and types, so it is important to read the product label or description to make sure that you purchase the right one for you. Checking for ones that are the same size or style as the one already in place is a good start.
What is the difference between a fill and a flush valve?
Slightly different from a fill valve, a toilet flush valve expels water from the toilet tank and into the bowl when you flush. Pulling on the flush handle opens the flapper like a plug, and the flush valve releases water into the toilet bowl.
How does a toilet fill valve work?
Inside the toilet tank is a system of interrelated parts working to ensure you always have enough water to keep the toilet clean. Among the parts in this setup is the toilet fill valve. It works by letting in water into the toilet tank after flushing and, when the tank is filled to a chosen level, sealing off the water inlet.
What are the different types of fill valves?
Let's take a look at the four most common fill valves you may find in your home: Plunger/ Piston Type Fill Valve. Diaphragm Type Fill Valve (brass body) Diaphragm Type Fill Valve (plastic body) Float Cup Type Fill Valve. Float-less Type Fill Valve.
How do I know what size fill valve I need?
An easy reference is to look at the size of the flush valve drain opening in the bottom of the tank. If it's about the size of an orange or baseball, you need a 2 inch seal. If it looks more like the size of a grapefruit or softball, you need a jumbo 3 inch seal.
Do all fill valves fit all toilets?
Most toilet fill valves are compatible with valves of the same type—if they're labeled “universal.” For example, universal float cup valves will fit the tanks of most toilet brands as long as they contain a similar valve.
How do I know which fill valve to get for my toilet?
0:000:40How to Pick a Toilet Fill Valve and Flap - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's very important before you run to the hardware store that you know the size. And you knowMoreSo it's very important before you run to the hardware store that you know the size. And you know what style. So either take a picture of it or bring in the seal.
What size are most toilet fill valves?
Most toilets will have a 2-inch drain or a 3-inch drain. Fluidmaster manufactures a standard or universal size of flush valves with flappers and are among the most common flush valves to be used.
Can you replace just the fill valve on a toilet?
0:031:31How to Replace a Toilet Fill Valve | Toilet Repair | The Home DepotYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf your toilet is constantly running or leaking it may be time to replace your fill valve here'sMoreIf your toilet is constantly running or leaking it may be time to replace your fill valve here's what you'll need to make this quick inexpensive repair.
Is replacing a toilet fill valve easy?
0:533:58How to Fix a Toilet - Fill Valve Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe new fill valve is installed by simply removing the base that came with it and sliding it ontoMoreThe new fill valve is installed by simply removing the base that came with it and sliding it onto the existing base in the toilet.
How do you tell if your toilet is 10 or 12 inch?
If the old toilet is still there, measure from the center of the capped bolts (on the bottom) to the wall (not the baseboard). There should be 24 inches of clearance from the wall facing the bowl and 15 inches on each side as a guideline. If your measurements are between 11.5 and 12.5 inches, it is a 12-inch rough-in.
How often do toilet fill valves need to be replaced?
How Often to Replace a Fluidmaster Toilet Fill Valve. The manufacturer recommends replacing either the entire valve or parts every five years to avoid flooding that could damage your home.
Are all toilet water valves the same?
There are several different types of fill valves commonly found in toilets, and you will need to be able to identify your type in order to make adjustments or replacements to yours. Some types of fill valves use older technologies and are best replaced with a newer type when repairs are called for.
How do I know if my toilet uses a 2 inch or 3 inch flush valve?
Look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank. If the opening looks about the size of a baseball or orange, you need a 2″ flapper. If the opening looks about the size of a softball or grapefruit, you need a 3″ flapper.
What size is a toilet inlet valve?
When it comes to inlet valves the two main thread diameters is 1/2" and 3/8". 1/2" is the British standard thread size, so most inlet valves tend to be 1/2". 3/8" is almost always reserved for cisterns and inlet valves from European manufacturers, such as Geberit, Villeroy & Boch, Grohe, and Roca.
What size pipe is toilet fill valve?
Typically they are 3/8” in diameter, but toilet supply line size can vary in length, usually anywhere from 9” to 20”.
Are there different types of fill valves?
There are several different types of fill valves commonly found in toilets, and you will need to be able to identify your type in order to make adjustments or replacements to yours. Some types of fill valves use older technologies and are best replaced with a newer type when repairs are called for.
Can I use a fluidmaster fill valve in a Kohler toilet?
Fluidmaster PerforMAX Toilet Fill Valve and flush valve seal kit lets you easily fix and upgrade your Kohler or American Standard toilet.
Can you use a fluidmaster fill valve on a Toto toilet?
Toto does not use the Fluidmaster 400A as original equipment, although Fluidmaster now makes a version of the 400A that has an adjustable refill rate so that it can be installed in Toto toilets as a replacement (but only that version.)
Do all toilets have the same fittings?
Do all toilet seats fit the same? The simple answer is no, there are a range of different toilet seat fittings. Some are bottom fixing (fitted from beneath the fixing holes) and some are top fixing (usually required when there isn't access to the bottom of the pan, e.g. with a fully shrouded toilet).
What size thread is a toilet fill valve?
In addition, I have now learned that the thread is an old thread standard that is primarily used for toilet valves today. It is 7/8 inch Iron Pipe Size (IPS) thread. This is definitely a straight thread.
How tight should water supply lines be?
Hand Tight is Right. In fact, pipes should only be hand tight to help aid the flow of water throughout your home. The unique construction and configuration of pipes means they are made to be tightened just enough; making them super tight can actually prevent water from flowing properly.
Are there different sizes of pipes for toilets?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Toilet pipes come in certain standard sizes. Different pipes carry water to and from your toilet, and each pipe has a different diameter. If you plan to install your own toilet, you have to know which size pipe to use for each plumbing route.
How many types of toilet fill valves are there?
Ans: No. There are at least five different types of toilet fill valves with different mechanisms to control the water flow inside the tank.
What is the fill valve?
Written by Elizabeth Fincher. Without a doubt, the fill valve is one of the most important components of a toilet. It controls the water flow that fills the tank. When the tank is empty, it restarts the filling process. In addition, it prevents water from overflowing the tank when it reaches a certain level.
What is a metal diaphragm valve?
Metal Diaphragm Fill Valve. Metal diaphragm fill valves are very similar to piston fill valves. However, they’re anti-siphon. Instead of a plunger stem, these devices use a diaphragm actuated by a floating ball. These fill valves are usually made of cast brass and tend to rust over time.
What happens when a toilet tank is empty?
When the tank is empty, the floating ball lowers and opens the valve. Then, when the water reaches the maximum level, the floating ball rises and closes the valve. These valves are more appropriate for old toilet models, where the water input is at the base of the tank. Although still common in the market, ballcock fill valves are outdated ...
What is a piston fill valve?
They’re also known as plunger or piston fill valves and are the most common of all. They’re usually made of metal. These valves use a straight tube to release water and a plunger stem actuated by a floating ball.
How to control water level in a tank?
You can easily control the maximum water level of the tank by varying the length of the spring. This type of fill valve is very popular and is an excellent low-cost replacement for obsolete ballcock fill valves.
When were floatless toilets invented?
They were developed during the 90’s , as a new alternative for low flow toilets. Floatless fill valves use a pressure sensitive diaphragm. When the pressure reaches its maximum level, the valve closes. They’re usually made of plastic and are very cheap.
Are there different sizes of toilet fill valves?
There are different sizes of toilet fill valves, but the most common is the 1/2-inch size.
How do you measure a toilet valve?
To measure a toilet valve, you will need a measuring tape and a pencil. First, locate the center of the valve stem and mark it with the pencil. Next, measure the distance from the center of the valve stem to the edge of the valve body. Finally, measure the distance from the edge of the valve body to the center of the outlet.
Do I have a 2 inch or 3 inch flush valve?
You can tell if you have a 2 inch or 3 inch flush valve by measuring the hole in the center of the valve. If the hole is 3 inches in diameter, then you have a 3 inch flush valve.
Are toilet flush valves interchangeable?
No, toilet flush valves are not interchangeable. Each model of toilet has its own specific flush valve that is designed to work with that model.
What is the difference between flush valve and gravity feed?
A flush valve is a valve that releases water from a tank or toilet bowl. A gravity feed is a valve that allows water to flow into a tank or toilet bowl.
Is a 3 flush valve better than a 2?
Both types of valves are designed to provide a high level of flush performance.
What is a 2 inch flush valve toilet?
A 2 inch flush valve toilet has a valve that is 2 inches in diameter. This type of toilet is typically used in residential applications.
What is a Toilet Fill Valve?
The toilet fill valve is a series of interconnected parts inside the toilet tank that’s responsible for controlling the water flow that refills the tank.
What is the newest type of fill valve?
These are the most known types of fill valves, how they work and how to adjust them when you need more or less water in the toilet tank. The internal float fill valve is the newest of them all and is gaining lots of popularity.
What is a float valve?
Internal Float Type Fill Valve. The internal float fill valve is named so as it has an internally floating mechanism with a small floater and lever to open and close the water inlet in the toilet tank. Given that the water inlet is also inside the fill valve, it’s very quiet and has been named the QuietFill valve.
How to adjust water in a toilet tank?
To adjust the amount of water that goes into the toilet tank, you bend the brass rod connecting the floating ball to the diaphragm up for more water and down for less water.
What is a plunger valve?
The plunger/piston fill valve uses a plunger or piston system to open and close the water inlet into the toilet tank. The inlet is the bottom-fill type which means that water is injected into the tank from below rather than from above.
How does a toilet floater work?
When the toilet is flushed, the floater moves downwards and moves the brass rod with it. This brass rod presses on top of the diaphragm which then opens the water inlet into the toilet tank. As the water fills up, it moves the floating ball upwards with it. The ball moves the brass rod which releases the pressure on the diaphragm.
How does a brass rod work in a toilet?
The brass rod moves the piston which opens the water inlet. As the water flows into the toilet tank and its level raises up, the ball is raised as well as the rod it is attached to. The rode raises the piston and slowly closes it until it’s completely closed when the tank is full.
What size is a standard toilet?
Toilet Sizes . . . Most common standard toilets are generally considered to be either “2-inch or 3-inch” by naming convention. This refers to the INSIDE pipe diameter within the toilet and down through the floor drain.
How to tell what size toilet you need?
Note that in most cases, the toilet size can be determined by measuring the lip of the flapper valve base. If the flapper lip is roughly 1 7/8″ to 2 3/8″ in diameter, that indicates a 2-inch toilet. If it is more in the 3″ range, that is most likely a 3-inch toilet. See our illustration of measuring the flapper valve base lip over on the Products > Help Me Choose tab.
What size hole do you need for a flush actuator?
The flush actuator mount hole can be a little tricky sometimes because there are two commons sizes, 5/8″ and 3/4″ square , which will also vary a little due to the same manufacturing tolerances. Most flush actuators, whether lever handle or push button, will have a removable rubber collar that will accommodate both sizes. All of our kits have this collar arrangement unless otherwise specified. In extreme cases where the hole is a little smaller than 5/8″, the plastic shoulder of the flush mechanism may need to be sanded or filed slightly. Then on the other extreme, where the hole is slightly larger than 3/4″, the rubber collar may need to be shimmed with tape or other suitable material to enlarge it further for a tight fit.
What does it mean when a toilet is bigger?
Since the toilet size refers to the inside pipe diameter, this means the drain hole cut-out inside the tank will naturally be larger. How much larger depends on the initial hole cut-out and the after-cure tolerance of the ceramic or plastic composite during manufacturing.
Can you enlarge a hole in a ceramic file?
Anytime a non-standard smaller hole size is encountered, there is always the option of enlarging it with a ceramic file or grinder. This may sound like a lot of work, but in most cases, the hole only needs to be enlarged slightly and the ceramic or plastic composite usually cuts away fairly quickly and easily.
Ballcock Fill Valve
These valves are also known as piston fill or plunger valves, and they are the most popular. They are usually made from metal. These valves have a straight tube that releases water and a plunger stem that is actuated with a floating ball.
Fill Valve for Float-Cups
Float cup valves were invented in the 1950s. These devices are made from a floating cup and not a floating ball attached with a metal arm. The water level changes while the cup moves along a straight tube. The floating cup is connected to a metal spring and an actuating rod.
Floatless Fill Valve
Floatless filling valves do not require a floating ball for operation. These valves were created in the 1990s as an alternative to low-flow toilets. The pressure-sensitive diaphragm is used in floating fill valves. The valve will close when the pressure reaches its maximum point.
Metal Diaphragm Fill Valve
Fill valves are made of metal diaphragms that are very similar to piston valves. However, they’re anti-siphon. These devices are not actuated by a plunger stem but instead use a floating ball-actuated diaphragm.
Plastic Diaphragm Fill Valve
These valves are not made from cast brass but instead of being made of PVC. PVC is strong and resistant to moisture. It doesn’t rust as well as metal fill valves. You won’t need to worry about floating balls from rust. These are standard in popular toilet repair kits. PVC can weaken when it is exposed to chlorinated waters.
Are all toilet fill valves the same?
No. There are at most five types of toilet fill valves, each with a different mechanism to regulate the water flow within the tank.
Which is the best fill valve for a toilet?
It all depends on what size toilet you have. The most efficient fill valves, however, are floatless because they reduce water consumption per flush.
What is the fill valve on a toilet?
The fill valve is arguably the most important part of the standard gravity flush toilet. This is the component that controls the water filling the holding tank, the part that opens the water flow as the flush cycle empties the tank, and shuts of the water supply once the tank has refilled to the proper level. ...
What is a floatless fill valve?
The floatless fill valve is made of plastic and is a newer innovation in anti-siphon fill valves. These fill valves use a diaphragm pressure-sensing mechanism rather than any kind of float device to control the inlet valve. Originally designed for low profile/ low flow toilet tanks of the 1990s, these fill valves are usually inexpensive but the design has been known to have a spotty record of reliability. Many professional plumbers avoid them in favor of float-cup fill valves.
What is the difference between a ballcock and a plunger?
They can come in a cast brass body or plastic body construction. Rather than a plunger stem with a washer that seals against the water inlet port, this type of ballcock has a diaphragm seal that opens and closes to control water flow.
What is a ballcock toilet?
Plunger or piston style fill valves ( ballcocks) are among the earliest style of toilet tank fill valve designs. They are made of a heavy duty cast brass body that provides quiet operation. This style of ballcock uses a characteristic bottom-fill water discharge tube and is designed with a hinged lever assembly above the ballcock, which often use thumbscrews at some hinged joints to allow adjustment of the lever arm movement. These fill valves work by means of a floating ball attached to a pivoting lever that opens and closes a plunger stem fitted against a water inlet port—hence the name ballcock .
What is a plastic ballcock?
Plastic body construction is what you find on most newer model anti-siphon diaphragm ballcocks, and is probably what you will buy if you are choosing to replace a ballcock type valve with another ballcock. Note that this all-plastic type still qualifies as a true ballcock, since its operating mechanism makes use of a float ball.
What is anti siphoning in plumbing?
It is worth noting is that the plumbing code now requires anti-siphoning capabilities on toilet fill valves. Anti-siphon devices are designed to prevent low water pressure in the water supply lines from sucking contaminated water back into the potable fresh water supply.
Why should I replace old style fill valves?
If you have one of these old-style fill valves they should be replaced because they do not meet current plumbing codes calling for anti-siphon protection.
What is a toilet fill valve?
While toilets are one of the essential features of a home, cleaning and repairing one can seem like a chore. A toilet fill valve builds and controls the toilet’s water level using a sensor and flapper. Toilet fill valves often try to save water, remove waste, and prevent overflow. The best toilet fill valves are quiet, efficient, economical, ...
What is the compatibility of toilet fill valves?
Compatibility. Toilet fill valves come in a range of sizes and types, so it is important to read the product label or description to make sure that you purchase the right one for you. Checking for ones that are the same size or style as the one already in place is a good start.
How long do toilet valves last?
With proper care and maintenance, toilet parts can last up to five years. Most warranties for toilet valves last between one year and a lifetime, with five years being one of the more common ones. Typically, fill valves cost anywhere between $8 and $80, but most good ones are not so expensive.
How does a toilet flush valve work?
Slightly different from a fill valve, a toilet flush valve expels water from the toilet tank and into the bowl when you flush. Pulling on the flush handle opens the flapper like a plug, and the flush valve releases water into the toilet bowl. Once the water is expelled, the water fill valve then allows water ...
Why does my toilet make a loud noise when flushing?
If your toilet is making a lot of noise when flushed, the flush valve may be worn and in need of replacement.
How high can a toilet valve be?
The height on this fill valve can be adjusted to any height between 8 and 13 inches, making it able to fit almost any toilet.
How long does it take to install a toilet fill valve?
However, it should not take longer than two hours if everything goes smoothly.
