After the flapper closes, the
toilet tank fills very slowly.
Do I need to replace the inlet valve?
Come on,
now... eighteen minutes is not exactly forever! Maybe an eternity, but hardly forever. 
Some toilet inlet valves have an adjustment to set the length of time it takes for the
tank to fill. However, if your toilet has begun to take longer to cycle, it is likely that
the inlet valve is beginning to wear out, and should be replaced.
Replacement is very simple. There isn't a lot I can add to the directions on the box of
the intake valve you buy, except to mention that you may want to also replace the special
washer on the inlet tube. When you remove the valve from the toilet tank, look at the
inlet tube. If it is chrome, there is a washer attached to the top. This washer can be
carefully pried out of it's seat with a screwdriver or knife. It will look like a hose
washer, but with a protrusion that sets into a flare in the top of the inlet tube. If you
do not replace this washer, or the entire inlet tube, you will almost definitely have a
leak at this point. Take this washer with you to the store where you buy the intake valve
and get a new one. I'll warn you ahead of time that all hardware stores do not carry
replacements for these special washers.
99% of the time, you will be able to reuse the inlet tube as long as you are careful
not to twist it, bend it, or move it excessively when removing the old valve. When I have
had to replace it, I generally use one of the plastic lines, which are easy to install and
inexpensive. There are also braided stainless steel lines that have screw-on couplings on
both ends. These are excellent products, virtually indestructible, and can also be used in
lieu of the standard chrome replacement line.
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