Power flush toilet not flushing right
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 47
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Power flush toilet not flushing right
Hi,
I have 2 power flush toilets on different floors. The downstairs one sometimes doesnt flush, If I go back to it in a few mintutes its usually flushes after that. Its happening alot more though. Is there something I should look for?
I have 2 power flush toilets on different floors. The downstairs one sometimes doesnt flush, If I go back to it in a few mintutes its usually flushes after that. Its happening alot more though. Is there something I should look for?
#2
Power flush toilets have a cartridge that regulates the flow of water in and out of them, this is found in the center of the devise on the container, these can be tricky to work with, you may only be able to get these from a plumbing supply house.
If your unsure how to work on these, then don't chance it, call for help, these are pressure contained devises.
If your unsure how to work on these, then don't chance it, call for help, these are pressure contained devises.
#5
Group Moderator
#7
Group Moderator
Jhferry never said it was an American Standard. They just that it was a "power flush toilet". I did not know if he was referring to a powered flush toilet in general. For example a Briggs power flush toilet works very differently than an American Standard.
#9
Originally Posted by jhferry
This is an American standard toilet BTW.

These toilet use a cartridge in them, to change it out you have to follow the directions exactly or you will never get it right.
#10
Group Moderator
#11
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 1,913
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
OK, we've settled the cartridge issue! But let me ask one more question: Homeowner said it doesn't flush right. Do you mean the "power" is weak in the power flush, or is it the case that it flushes but the "stuff" doesn't go away? This would be a different story.
re: cost. If your American Standard uses the Sloan Flushmate system, a cartridge is going to be about $30. A service call from a good plumber: $50 to $150 , plus parts. Sloan has excellent troubleshooting and repair info on the website for their powerflush units.
re: cost. If your American Standard uses the Sloan Flushmate system, a cartridge is going to be about $30. A service call from a good plumber: $50 to $150 , plus parts. Sloan has excellent troubleshooting and repair info on the website for their powerflush units.
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 47
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
When you hit the handle, it pushes down without much preassure on it so the toilet really doesnt flush. If I wait a few minutes, eventually it will build up enough that I can flush it.
#15
It could be possible that the water pressure for the downstairs toilet is not high enough. American Standard power assisted toilets must have between 20 and 80 lbs of pressure as per their website. Could it be that there is something in the supply valve that might be restricting flow? You might disconnect the supply hose from the valve and flush out any debris that may be in there. Just a thought that may or may not work.
Good luck and post back.
Good luck and post back.
#16
I still believe it is the cartridge in it, had to deal with one as you describe, make sure the shut off valve is all the way turned on, you can also test the flow/pressure by disconnecting the supply line, pointing it into a bucket and turning it on, that will give you an idea how good the pressure is.
If these checks prove ok, you will need a new cartridge.
If these checks prove ok, you will need a new cartridge.
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 47
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I believe it to be the cartridge as well because the toilet has been fine for 2 years. Im going to download the sloan instructions and give it a go. I will let you guys know how it works out.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#18
Just remember before you unscrew and remove the cartridge out of that pressure container, shut off the water at the valve and push on the button, this will release built up pressure inside of it.
#20
You could call HD and ask, I'm going to say they won't carry it.
You could call Sloan and have them walk you through a diagnostics check on the toilet 1st before you order the part and find out it was something else that is wrong.
I listed the 800 # on this thread
http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=173317
You could call Sloan and have them walk you through a diagnostics check on the toilet 1st before you order the part and find out it was something else that is wrong.
I listed the 800 # on this thread
http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=173317