Toilet fill valves are essential to properly functioning a toilet. How long these toilet valves last depends on numerous factors like water composition, cleanliness, frequency of toilet flushing, and, of course, the fill valve brand. Besides this, sometimes water minerals may accumulate at your toilet valve resulting in malfunctioning. Despite all this, the question remains: How long should a toilet valve last?
According to most toilet valve manufacturers, a toilet fill valve generally lasts about five years, although in some cases much longer depending on several factors, as earlier mentioned, including toilet flushing frequency, valve quality, and water cleanliness. A fill valve should be replaced every five years to avoid service disruption and promote efficiency.
As with any other usually exposed to water, toilet fill valves can ultimately begin leaking or clogging. Nonetheless, replace your toilet valve once it starts being corroded, damaged, or malfunctioning. Here is everything about your toilet fill valve to help you understand how long it has before it needs replacement or repair.
Table of Contents
What is a Toilet Fill Valve?
Toilet fill valves control water flow that refills the toilet bowl and tank after every flush. A toilet valve is usually located inside the tank and is common in modern-style models. Older toilet models use ballcocks or the ‘plunger-style’ for this specific function. Ideally, most professional plumbers believe that fill valves must be replaced every five years to enjoy optimum performance.
Toilet fill valves on conventional toilets aren’t complicated and are tubes with a shutoff valve. An air-filled cup or ball connected to this valve floats within the toilet tank and shuts off the valve after the water reaches a specific height.
A fill valve wears out, so it is important to identify its symptoms that require replacement.
How To Know When A New Fill Valve Is Necessary
The importance of a properly functioning fill valve cannot be underestimated-hence the need to stay on top of things. Below are some of the common indicators that you have a faulty toilet fill valve that needs fixing or replacing:
Humming & Screaming Sounds
Once the metal components of an old ballcock-style toilet fill valve wear out, the fill valve may not close or open smoothly, and the water flow force can result in a disturbing sound effect as the water flows. Typically, a low, humming sound (almost inaudible initially) is usually the first indicator that there isn’t a free flow of water as expected.
When the sound advances to an annoying screaming sound, this may mean that the metal components are loose, and if you don’t intervene, the fill valve will probably fail completely. Unfortunately, there is little or no point in repair since replacement is quite expensive.
Running Toilet
When you notice that your toilet is constantly filling even when your toilet tank is supposedly full, this might be due to a faulty fill valve. Confirming why and where the water leaked is essential since leakage from faulty fill valves is channeled to your overflow tube, not your toilet bowl. If the water leaks into your toilet bowl, the problem is not with the fill valve but the flapper. Leaking flappers slowly drain the toilet tank and leads to the fill valve constantly running, although your toilet can also run if your fill valve is worn out.
Nonetheless, you can rule out leakage from the flapper by pouring dye into your toilet tank and waiting a few hours to identify if the bowl water changes color. You can be certain that the fill valve is faulty if it doesn’t. The toilet fill valve may also be problematic if the tank’s water level is too high. Whatever the case, you can adjust your toilet valve rather than discard it.
Toilet is taking too long to refill
A faulty fill valve not only results in excess water filling in the toilet tank but can also result in slow tank refilling after a flush.
Your toilet flushing either partially or not at all
Ideally, your toilet not flushing may be due to numerous factors. In this case, a clogged or damaged fill valve can slow down or hinder water refilling in the toilet tank, leading to flushing problems.
How Do I Fix My Toilet Fill Valve Problem?
Misadjusted floats are often the primary cause of toilet fill valves that don’t shut off completely. Before unscrewing the ball to lengthen your float arm, adjust the toilet rod length on a cup float, alter the valve tension, and hold the toilet float up as far as possible. If you notice that the water won’t shut off or you hear any protestations like muted screams, your valve needs replacing.
Moreover, you must replace the toilet fill valve if you can’t find the proper valve and float adjustments to shut off the water completely.
Make the Switch
Surprisingly, it is easy to change your toilet fill valve yourself. Once you shut off the water, empty the toilet tank and disconnect the water supply.
Remove your old valve by loosening the retaining valve (located under your tank) with adjustable pliers and then lift it out.
Installing the replacement package is also as simple since you only need to reverse the process. However, ensure you adjust the valve’s height by following the procedure outlined in the package.
Universal toilet fill valves are accessible from any hardware store. Since it doesn’t include metal components that may corrode, it may last for quite a long time – probably your entire toilet’s life!
FAQs about HOW LONG SHOULD A TOILET FILL VALVE LAST?
As you now know, groaning or hissing after flushing your toilet and the toilet tank refilling are some common signs that your toilet fill valve is faulty or on the fritz. Luckily, fill valve replacement is a rather simple task, and many DIYers can perform the task. If you are contemplating replacing your toilet fill valve, you may have a few questions. Here are some of the commonest ones and solutions:
Q: How do toilet valves work?
Typically, toilet fill valves have one specific purpose: opening the water inlet after flushing to allow fresh water to fill the tank and closing the inlet once the water level reaches a preset height. The most popular approach is through a float that usually drops and rises with the toilet’s water level. However, some toilet valves comprise pressure-sensitive diaphragms that determine when to close/open the inlet.
Q: What common signs indicate you need to replace your toilet fill valve?
The commonest symptoms are the toilet tank taking too much time to fill or noises after flushing, like squealing, hissing, and groaning.
Q: How do you replace your faulty toilet fill valve?
Toilet fill valves and tanks may differ slightly, hence the need to carefully follow the installation procedure that comes with the toilet valve. Nonetheless, generally, you have to follow these basic steps:
- Turn off your toilet’s water supply and proceed to flush your toilet to empty the water tank completely
- Disconnect your toilet’s fill hose from the fill valve (it usually twists off rather easily)
- Remove your old valve that usually connects to the tank’s bottom (usually using adjustable pliers). Place a bucket under your toilet tank to collect any excess water running out.
- Clean out your toilet tank completely-it beats logic installing a new fill valve in a dirty toilet.
- Proceed to install your new toilet valve. Insert the bottom through your tank’s valve hole and tighten the nut (outside) to secure it firmly.
- Attach the toilet’s fill hose to the new valve
- Turn on your toilet’s water supply and flush to test. Furthermore, ensure there is no leaking around the tank’s bottom, something you can correct by tightening the nut more.
Q: How can you adjust your toilet fill valve?
Essentially, this usually depends on the fill valve type. Float cup valves usually come with adjustment screws you can turn to decrease or increase the tank’s water level. Alternatively, you can adjust the ball cock valves by slightly bending the arm supporting the air-filled ball.
NB: You must consult the installation manual to find the proper valve installation technique for your specific valve.
Q: Is Replacing your Toilet Fill Valve Hard/Easy?
Toilet fill valve replacement is a rather easy job for any user. Ideally, this task doesn’t require specific plumbing expertise or much time. In fact, all you have to do is have the proper tools, a little expertise in installing it, and of course, a little effort, as earlier explained. However, notwithstanding how easy it sounds, work carefully and be cautious not to damage the parts or make any mistakes.
Q: How Much Does Replacing A Toilet Fill Valve Cost?
The overall fill valve replacement cost usually depends on the specific fill valve model/brand you purchase. Also, it depends on whether you choose to hire professional plumbing services or not. On average, buying a new fill valve costs between $ 10 and $40.
Nonetheless, you may incur additional costs, especially if you decide to hire a professional (assuming you already have the necessary tools) or purchase the tools. However, it may just be slightly different from the average expected cost.
Q: Are Toilet Fill Valves all Universal?
Generally, most toilet fill valves are rather interchangeable and come in a standard size; therefore can fit most toilet tank openings since most openings feature a standard diameter. The primary concern is usually the fill valve stem length rather than the tank’s diameter. The length may be short or long, depending on the size and height of the toilet tank it is built for.
The most recommendable way to find a proper replacement is bringing taking your old fill valve to the hardware to identify the best match. By doing so, you can accurately make proper comparisons based on multiple vital factors like quality, efficiency, and price, not to mention professional advice from dealers.
Summary
The commonest toilet issue- a leak, running fill valve, or broken flapper – all result in excessive water wastage, meaning you’re literally flushing your hard-earned money down the drain! In fact, a faulty fill valve could cost you as much as $600 yearly in wasted water! It is important to monitor your toilet and correct little and easily manageable problems before they blow up.
It is easier to anticipate and manage the situation once you identify how long your toilet fill valve should last before you expect any problems. Moreover, since replacing your fill valve is often a straightforward DIY task, you can easily identify, fix, and enjoy your private bathroom time without much hassle.