Let’s face it, the bathroom is one of the most important places in every home, which means every component in your bathroom has to be of the highest quality, including the toilet flush valve. Being the component that holds and discharges water when you flush your toilet, coupled with its ability to lower the amount of water you use and help fill your tank quicker, the best toilet flush valve is a must-buy for every homeowner. From minimal noise, an efficient flush system to economical water use, the probable benefits of a high-quality toilet flush valve are pretty numerous.
Due to the surplus of options on the market, however, buying the right toilet flush valve might not be as straightforward as it probably sounds. Does it leak water? Does it create noise? Or is it even water economical? All these are some of the numerous questions you must ask when perusing the several options on the market. To help simplify your work and save you from the tedious task of sorting through dozens of options, we have raked the web to bring you a list of the top five toilet flush valves on the market. The factors that aided our selection include size, weight, material, and warranty.
Containing a well-crafted comparison table, comprehensive reviews of five toilet flush valves, an all-inclusive buying guide, and a FAQ section in which several tangles are untangled, this article is an all-encompassing piece in which tens of hours have been judiciously invested. Not only has it been created to enlighten and educate you, but it has also been designed to duly convince you and help you determine which one will suit your needs best.
More features: silent fill, fill-rate inserts, adjustable height
Not many names in the business of manufacturing plumbing products are stronger and more reputable than Kohler. Due to its high-quality and durability, the KOHLER GP1083167 is one of the most popular flush valves out there. Basically, it is an adjustable flush valve that is compatible with different KOHLER toilets. Apart from the fact that the size of the toilet fill is suitable for the majority of KOHLER toilets, it can also be obtained in several colors.
What’s more, the flush valve is mostly produced using high-quality and heavy-duty plastic, which won’t corrode over time. Besides, every necessary clip and washer locknut come in the package, which means you don’t have to shell extra cash on other items during installation. However, the installation of this flush valve might not be straightforward enough as the manuals contain unclear instructions. Although, you can easily solve this problem by hiring a professional plumber for the installation.
The package of this unit also includes many components that will help it fit several toilet tanks from Kohler and Fluidmaster. Moreover, the water inlet hole of this unit is extremely low, which aids its water economy. Also, it comes with various flow restrictors to enable it to meet the various flow requirements of nearly every toilet tank.
More features: fill valve and flapper included, self-generating hydropower, adjustable flow rate
If you’re already using a TOTO toilet in your bathroom, then the TOTO Combo Kit is the ideal flush valve for you. this valve is actually engineered with TOTO Flush tank in mind, so it’s not really compatible with other brands. However, while you can try it with other brands, just know that might not really perform up to your expectations. Among a host of features you will find on this flush valve include EcoPower and Hydrotect which allow it to self-generate hydropower and naturally reduce the pollution.
Furthermore, this flush valve has an adjustable height, which allows you to adjust its height according to your particular flush tank. The water flow rate of the unit is also adjustable, which is especially useful if you have a two-piece toilet installed. And installation-wise, this product is very easy to install. It comes with a detailed instruction manual and provided you properly and carefully adhere to every step, replacing the old valve won’t be difficult for you.
If you’re in search of a high-quality flush valve, this model is one of the ones you should be looking at. Although it’s pretty expensive, that shouldn’t be a deterrent for you to purchase it if you’re really looking for quality. However, this model is best used with a TOTO toilet tank, which is a drawback considering that most other top-of-the-line models are compatible with different flush tanks from different brands. Also, some parts of the plastic seem flimsy, which is another downside.
More features: fits Flushmate tank systems
Featuring the highly efficient pressure-assist technology, you can rest assured that the Sloan C-100500-K Flush Cartridge will offer you a very high performance. Not only that, but the pressure-assist technology will also help boost water economy, thereby saving you money on water bill at the end of each month. In fact, apart from being popular among consumers, this product is also popular among toilet manufacturers around the world.
Furthermore, the C-100500-K Flush Cartridge is made with durable, plastic materials, which means it is capable of enduring the rigors of daily use. It also comes with a set of screws and instructions, which allows for a very easy and straightforward installation. You don’t even need to hire a professional in order to install the flush valve as the instruction that comes with it is self-explanatory.
To offer you peace of mind on your purchase, this flush cartridge is backed by a three-year warranty. The Sloan C-100500-K Flush Cartridge doesn’t have many when it comes to shortcomings. However, a lot of customers have complained about receiving faulty or defective products, something the manufacturer must pay some attention to.
More features: 3.4’’ chain length, 7’’ tube
With its super quiet operation, it wouldn’t take much time to notice that the American Standard 3174.105-0070A Champion is a rather unique model. Featuring a special design that improves valve durability and toilet performance, there are many reasons to choose this model. Besides, it has an adjustable height, which makes it a universal part that is compatible with any size and tank – simply adjust its height and it is all good.
Much has been said about how other flush valves are difficult to install but not this one. It’s incredibly easy to install – all you need to do is just to read the instructions and adhere to the steps. Regardless of your knowledge level on plumbing, you can properly install it within ten minutes. Moreover, this part adheres to American and OEM Standards of replacement parts.
When you flush out, many inches of flushing water will remain inside the water tank to improve flush power. To put it simply, this unit leaves some water in the tank rather than emptying it completely which often occurs with low-quality valves. This feature enhances high pressure, and allow you to save some water inside the tank and utilize it when the need arises.
More features: silent filling, adjustable height
Undoubtedly, the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX is one of the most powerful and most popular toilet flush valves on the market today, despite being a budget-friendly option. There are so many reasons to consider going for this valve, with it being universal and being compatible with most toilet brands one of its major selling points. Besides, the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX comes with the PerforMax technology which allows it to activate much quicker than regular flush valves. Not only that, but it can also control your water usage thanks to its flexible roller clamp.
Also, this model of flush valve is water economical and doesn’t make any noise, which might make it appealing to many buyers. And if you are worried that you might not be able to install it yourself, discard that worry immediately as installing it doesn’t even need you to hire a professional. What’s more, this unit also allows for a higher fill rate than the majority of standard models, which allows it to save you water while filling fast.
The Fluidmaster is also backed by a seven-year manufacturer warranty, which gives buyers a lot of peace of mind on their purchase. But for all the great things we have said about this product, it would be bad to fail to mention that its flow rate is not adjustable, which might be a cause of concern for some prospective buyers. Also, the valve is slow and might take up to ninety seconds to fill.
Except you are a professional plumber or an experienced toilet owner, choosing the right toilet flush valve is never easy. In order to save you from any quagmire, we have prepared the guide below.
Most toilet users don’t have any idea when it comes to how a toilet flush valve works and it is understandable. Most toilets never break, and if your toilet does not break, there will never be anything for you to fix, which means you won’t have any idea on how exactly it works. However, it is quite important to have a grasp regarding how a toilet functions because sooner or later, your toilet will break someday. If you’re looking to understand how your toilet flush valve works, then pay attention below:
Installing a toilet fill valve is something that everyone has to learn how to do by themselves. While the process is not difficult, it is fairly complex since there are a couple of steps to adhere to. Below are the steps to follow when installing a toilet fill valve.
There are three primary problems that every toilet owner has to deal with: noisy filling, a weak flush, and leaky valves. Each of these issues can cause more issues. While upgrading your toilet fill valve can offer a simple fix, there are much better models you can find on the market. However, there are some factors you must consider in order to know which model to go for. The most important out of those factors are below:
Type of a ballcock or plunger
The ballcock or plunger is an old type of fill valve, and it’s usually composed of a brass arm and a float ball. This type features a brass sealed off with a rubber washer and affixed with a ballcock valve. When spoilt, you can only “fix” it by buying a new rubber washer. So far all the components come out in a single piece, then its fine.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm style valve, on the other hand, comes mostly with plastic. While the float arm and the ball appear similar to plunger’s, repairing the diaphragm style could be a bit difficult. Having said this, you can only buy a replacement for it. Fortunately, they are usually very affordable, so replacing them every now and then shouldn’t be a problem.
Floatless ballcock
Also referred to as the cupless style, the floatless ballcock is capable of sensing the level of the water from the tank’s bottom with the aid of its diaphragm. In fact, it has a perfect size for low-profile tanks. Besides, the floatless ballcock is extremely easy to adjust. You can effortlessly do this by just turning the screw at the top of the valve.
Cup Type
The container type of fill valve is the last, and it is the latest among all the types available. When you purchase a new toilet, the odds that you will see the cup type are very high. The impressive thing about this type of fill valve is that it has an adjustable size, making it a universal type. As far it’s anywhere in the range of seven to thirteen inches, you’re already set.
Compatibility
Of course, a fill valve cannot fit every toilet. For example, most models are not compatible with primitive toilets. Make sure you check the height and dimensions to ensure that your fill valve is compatible with your toilet. You can even choose a model with an adjustable height like the KOHLER GP1083167 and TOTO Combo Kit to remove any doubt.
Materials it’s made of
Choose a model that is made with durable material. You can opt for high-quality rubber and ABS materials, which are highly resistant to corrosion. It is important, particularly for expensive toilets.
Noise
Of course, nobody wants everyone to know when they are using the toilet, which is why the noise is an important factor as well. Go for a quiet toilet flush valve such as the American Standard 3174.105-0070A Champion. Most of the most recent models actually operate quietly.
Warranty
It’s also important to choose a toilet flush valve that is backed by a warranty. Sometimes, you just cannot predict these products, which is why you need to go for a model with a warranty, just in case anything goes wrong. An example of a model with a good warranty is the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX, boasting a seven-year warranty.
Another sign is when your toilet starts refilling slowly or won’t even refill at all, then you might need to change the flush valve. The last sign is when your toilet starts leaking, which might consequently lead to a spike in your water bill.
Kohler is one of the biggest brands in the sphere of plumbing, which is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that we have chosen one of their most popular products, the KOHLER GP1083167, as the best toilet flush valve. Being water economical, adjustable, and boasting a durable construction, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone that will argue against our choice.
Our second choice and third choice are the TOTO Combo Kit and the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX respectively. Both are powerful, quiet, durable, easy to install, and adjustable, making them worthy picks. In addition, the Fuidmaster is very affordable, which makes it appealing to people on a budget.
