We had been having trouble with one of our toilets water valve making
lots of noise. It sounded like a jet taking off. I assumed it was
getting ready to explode. Since I had gotten knocked off-line after
writing a long mail, I thought I might as well tackle this job since I
was already ****ed off. It seems I get ****ed off when I do plumbing
because I am not a plumber and usually have to do the job twice.

I went to the toilet that I was going to work on to get a "look-see"
of what I was going to need. It appeared that the water shut-off valve
was down on the left, also the fill-tube connection was on the left. I
also noticed that the flush lever was on the left. I went to the other
2 bathrooms in the house and all were the same. I can't remember ever
seeing another type, or what I call "right-handed".

I never really paid much attention to this before, but since I am old
and arthritic, I have to decide IF I want to tackle this job. 20 years
ago I wouldn't have hesitated. I decided that since I have 2 other
toilets, I don't have to have this done in one day. I looked at the
connections and found out I only needed a 1/2" wrench and a pair of
water pump pliers. Could it be that easy?

I shut off the water supply valve and flushed the toilet to expel the
water that was in the tank. I soaked up what little water remained and
disassembled the fill unit. So far I have dripped a drop. My wife will
be happy!

After taking the fill tube and fill valve out, I went down to the
hardware store to get a new one. They didn't have the same kind as I
have. Just my luck! I asked the clerk if the new "fits-all" valve
would work. He praised them, so I bought it.

After opening it up, it looked extremely simple to install. There were
a bunch of parts that didn't look faniliar to me. My wife said to read
the directions. To her surprise, I did and am glad of it, since most
of the parts weren't needed for my type of hook-up. I probably
would've tried to make all the parts fit. :-)

After twisting my body in ways that I haven't done for many years, I
got everything hooked up and working great. It was a piece of cake and
no leaks.....so far. :-)

Anyway, does anybody know why everything is on the left? All 3 of my
toilets are close to the walls, tub, or vanities. I would think that
since most people are right-handed, they would want everything on the
right. It would even be easier for me to flush it if the lever was on
the right, even sitting down giving a "courtesy flush". I am even
right footed and in public restrooms I normally use my foot to flush.

Reaching around, over and under the toilet, getting my useless left
hand and arm out of the way so the right hand can do the work,
would've been much easier had the supply valve and fill-valve were
located on the right.

What are your thoughts?

Hank