How important is it to flush the line before or when installing a replacement toilet fill valve? Last Update: Sep 03, 2002

It is always good practice and takes little time to remove the plunger and sealing ball (or diaphragm), invert a cup or can over the device and turn the supply valve on and off a few times. From our experience, most installers skip this step, but it is not uncommon to find gravel, broken off washers, solder beads, and other debris in or lodged between the seat and seal which prevents the valve from shutting off completely. If the fill valve will not close completely after installation (or after it has been in service for awhile) the first step should be to check if debris is fouling the valve and, if so, remove it by flushing or any other means.NOTE: CESCO’s fill valves are designed with a free path for water to carry most foreign particles through the valve without clogging the sealing component, but no fill valve is fully protected from malfunctioning if the debris is big enough.TIP: CESCO’s sealing balls are free floating components in its ATVB anti-siphon fill valves. Removal (for repair or replacement tasks) in the tank can be most easily done using a blunt-nose tweezers or by carefully turning the valve on slightly to force the ball to the top of the body for removal by hand.