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April 15, 2006
Korky QuietFill Toilet Fill Valve
Yes, I realize this isn't a very sexy gadget to talk about, but it's a satisfying technology, so what the heck.
We've replaced the guts of two toilets in our house with these Korky QuietFill toilet valves and, so far, I've been very satisfied. They were incredibly easy to install (5 minutes tops), work reliably (5-year guarantee), and are quieter than the units they replaced.
At $10-$15 at your local hardware store (we got ours at Lowe's Hardware), they're certainly not expensive. They include all the parts you're likely to need (I actually threw away about half the parts both times because they weren't necessary for our installations). Plus, they're made in the USA, in case that matters to you.
Update (3/3/07): This unit seems to be going bad already. It is making a low-level, variable whine as if a teensy bit of water was making it through some seal somewhere. I don't think I'll be replacing it with another Korky if they are going to fail within a year.
Update #2 (3/12/07): Well, the Korky Toilet Fill Valve instructions were right; it wasn't actually a problem with the fill valve. Rather, the flapper assembly was leaking, thereby causing the fill valve to slowly add water back into the tank as the water level dropped. Replacing the flapper/fill tube assembly (also with a Korky unit) did the trick. Ah...silence.
Comments
(typed by Karen, who may or may not agree with what she's about to type)
Why bother? The loud part of the flush is the flush itself, not the fill. Besides, the fill noise is quite important. If it's too quiet, you won't be able to tell if your toilet is running. Now this not only leads to excessive water bills, but also (in Bob's experience) runs the risk of toilet disasters of considerable magnitude (such as when one's roommate's toilet is stopped up and continues to run, eventually flooding the apartment).
Karen wishes to point out that when you eventually potty train Sam, and she wants to flush the toilet many times, it is helpful to have an audible fill so that you can explain to her when she can flush again. On the other hand, you'll be spending a startling amount of time hanging out in the bathroom while she's potty training, so anything that makes the experience more soothing for you is a winner.
Posted by: Bob at April 19, 2006 9:12 PM
Yeesh, BobKaren...it's not like it's _completely_ silent, but when I'm listening to the radio in the morning after I get up, being able to HEAR the radio over the sound of the toilet filling up (which can last for a minute or more) is a nice change.
Posted by: Craig at April 19, 2006 9:24 PM
I like the Korky valves, but I don't really notice the noise reduction. One good thing about them compared to the Fluidmaster is that they don't shut off as abruptly. The Fluidmaster valves can cause water hammer from shuttong off so quickly.
J.
Posted by: Jay at March 29, 2007 11:56 PM
My brother-in-law put in a Korky valeve for me about six months ago. It worked well untill about two weeks ago when it started pulsing as it filled. I took it apart according to the instructions and it worked ok again for about a day. I'm sure the problem is not the flapper. Sometimes the Korky fills and shuts off normally, but most of the time it pulses and does not shut off cleanly. It sounds as if the diaphragm may be loose. I found the replacement cap online for $2 but they wanted $7 for shipping so I will see if Lowes will order one for me. If they won't I will replace the Korky with a Fluidmaster.
Posted by: Ken at August 27, 2007 12:00 AM