View Full Version : Toilet Refill Valve Comparison
jhowa1
10-25-2005, 01:10 PM
The Fluidmaster Refill Valves I have installed have been less reliable than I'd like. I'm at 2.5 years and one of them is going south. Has anyone done a comparison of the variety of options in refill valves that exist? My previous refill valves were not Fluidmaster but that's what the big home supply retail store carries.
I'm interested in H2O Guard, or any other products that are highly recommended.
I'm giving up part of my weekend to do this thing. If I could buy a valve we all knew would last for 10 years I'd pay 4x - 6x more for it than a Fluidmaster.
Thankfully I'm not constrained by my big home supply retail store through the wonders of the Internet that Al Gore invented. :)
Terry
10-25-2005, 02:05 PM
I like the Korky Quietfill, most hardware stores carry it.
However I will say that most Fluidmaster valves last much longer than yours.
The Fluidmaster has been a standard OEM and replacement valve for years.
You won't find any plumbers bad mouthing it.
A high quailty ballcock is also made my Mansfield as a replacement. Solid brass components.
The problem may not be the Fluidmasters, (since I have been installing them for over 30 years without that kind of failure rate), but rather where you are buying them.
srdenny
10-25-2005, 04:22 PM
By any chance, has your water provider changed their disinfection chemical from chlorine to chloramine? The reason I ask is that chloramine attacks certain types of rubber and shortens the useful life of same.
jhowa1
10-26-2005, 09:13 PM
I've bought the Fluidmaster at *********. Does that really make a difference?
I don't notice a change in the water where I live (Beaverton, Oregon), but will find out.
Will look into the suggested model. Thanks!!
master plumber mark
10-27-2005, 04:42 AM
we have installed literally thousands of
Fluid masters,,,,
very rarely have we had a problem......
and the water in Indiana is probably the worst
in the country for lime
Also for 5 bucks , you can literally buy a whole new one
then just change out the top half assembly
and throw the new shank away
you dont even have to mess with the
supply lines or changeing the shank out
in the toilet tank and you still basically
got a whole new valve...
what more can you ask for 5 bucks??
-----------------------------------------------
the only problem I have ever seen with them is
lots of grit and sand can be unforgiveing to them,
and if you have that sort of problem comming up your pipes,
you might have to go back to the old brass ball
and cock type valve....
adenwork2
10-27-2005, 07:58 PM
Fluidmaster: I have had the rubber washer inside the black plastic cap at the top of the valve fail at times. Easy to replace. I do have Chloramines in water.