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Author:
sgull (AK)
I've got one of those pressure-assisted Sloan Flushmate toilet "systems" (the series 503) in my toilet tank. It's the black plastic water tank that sits within the ceramic toilet tank. Only about a year old. One of the benefits of having this is the non-sweating aspect, as the water is contained within the plastic tank instead of the ceramic toilet tank. I've been happy with it, as I haven't seen any sweating until just recently. Ceramic tank was sweating around the bottom quarter or so, creating large drips on the bottom of the tank and small puddle on the floor. I took off the lid and looked at the plastic tank inside. It had condensation from the bottom to about 2/3 the way up. The inside bottom of the ceramic tank had about an inch of water. I read the manual and it said it is normal for a little water to be at the bottom of the ceramic tank. I don't hear or otherwise see any indication that the water is continuously running to any extent at all. What might be going on?
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Your Flushmate is not sweating...
It's leaking!
Call the phone number on the tank for troubleshooting assistance.
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Author:
packy
i does sound like the tank is running. although you might get a bit of condensation on the inner tank, the ceramic tank should not.
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Author:
hj
If it is condensation, then it would occur to the height of the water level inside the container, and since you say it is up 2/3 of the way on the tank, that is about the right point for the water level. Condensation can only occur if the water stays cold, and normally the only way that can occur is if there is a leak which continually adds cold water to the vessel.
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
It is normal to have a VERY SMALL amount of water in the bottom. This can be from condensation, or occasional burbs of the breather valve. It is NOT normal to have an inch. Any water in the tank about about 1/4" inch or so simply drains out through the flush valve at the bottom of the tank. Upon flush, this valve is sealed by the plunger, but after flush is open to drain.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Here is a link to the service manual for your unit.
[www.flushmate.com]
As I said above a call to their tech support is very helpful. They actually have people on the phone that know the product and a lot of times its as simple as talking to them a couple of minutes and providing the info to them that they ask for and they tell you what part numbers you need. Under warranty its even better!
A few of those units may have a recall on them for a faulty tank weld. This is a link where you can check your tank serial # to see if it is involved.
[www.flushmate.com]
The recall was for flushmate II & III models produced in late 97 - 98.
Here is the link for both models in case someone else needs it. [www.flushmate.com]
Can I interest you in a nice new Toto Drake yet? 
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Author:
sgull (AK)
Upon further investigation it seems the sweating is occuring on the exterior of the ceramic tank on the bottom inch or so, not a quarter of the way up as I described on initial post.
However, the plastic vessel within does definitely condensate about 2/3 of the way up from the bottom. In addition, I notice the supply valve and flex hose connector and small section of exposed copper supply line is all sweaty too.
As suggested, the tank must be running because the water is staying cold enough to produce this much condensation. But I sure don't hear it running. Could it be running but just not making enough noise to hear? I am suspecting that "the relief valve may be discharging" as suggested in one reply.
Also, the area right on top of the flush valve cartridge has accumulated water there. I don't think that's supposed to be there but not sure.
Thanks guys for all the info. I'll call the number and see what they say about it. Then I'll post back. thanks
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Author:
redwood (CT)
The water on top of the cartridge should not be there and I guess you'll be replacing that. It's covered in that service manual I linked.
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Author:
sgull (AK)
When I called the Flushmaster number and described the issue to the technical person, she said they would send me a new cartridge after I mentioned there was some water standing on top of my cartridge. She said maybe the excessive amount of water at the bottom of the inside of the ceramic tank was because it had spilled over from where it has been accumulating (due to leaking) on top of the cartridge. But when I look at the water there it does not seem high enough to be spilling over. I did ask her about the possibility that the relief valve was leaking, maybe causing the water to keep trickling enough to cause constant cold water within the flushmate vessel. She said if that was leaking I would definitely be able to hear it, making a groaning type noise. She also said it was normal for there to be some condensation, depending on the humidity etc. on the interior flushmate tank. When I look at the flushmate tank, though, there is heavy sweating on it from the bottom up to the top third or so. She didn't seem to know if that was normal or not. She said I should look at the water on top of the cartridge when I flush, to see if there are any bubbles coming up through it.
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Author:
sgull (AK)
Okay Flushmate sent me a new cartridge, which I just installed. I went ahead while I was at it and soaked out all of the 3/4" to 1" of water standing at the inside bottom of the ceramic tank with a sponge attached to a grasping claw tool thing I have. According to post of jimmy-o here in this thread there should never be more than 1/4 or so of water to be present down there if things are normal and in good condition. I'll keep an eye on it down there periodically just to see if the water gets much deeper than that after this "fix" with the new cartridge.
Jimmy-o you mentioned that occasional burps from the "breather" in the tank could discharge a slight amount of water from time to time. Is this breather the rectangular-shaped outlet/inlet looking thing at the base of the Flushmate tank as pictured in the service manual here [www.flushmate.com]? Before installing the new cartridge and before soaking up the water as I mentioned, the water was up to the bottom level of the opening in the rectangular opening, which I estimated as a depth of close to 1 inch (closer to 1 inch than 1/4" of an inch anyway).
Also, can anyone answer whether it would be normal for rather heavy condensation to be occuring on the outside of the Flushmate tank on a regular ongoing basis. I'm trying to get a clear answer on whether it is at all normal to expect enough condensation on the outside of the ceramic tank to cause dripping and small puddling with the flushmate system, or whether there should really never be such an issue if all parts are in good working condition.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
I never see it.
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Author:
sgull (AK)
Redwood do you mean you never see sweating on the outside of the ceramic tank with the Flushmate tank inside, or do you mean you never see it on the outside of the Flushmate tank itself?
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Author:
redwood (CT)
I never see it on the outside. I have seen tanks inside have a damp apearance but never more unless they were leaking.
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Author:
sgull (AK)
Since installing the new cartridge three hours ago, upon inspection there is still no visible water underneath the Flushmate tank within the ceramic toilet tank. I've probably flushed the toilet about eight times since installing the new cartridge and also at that time wiping off all moisture underneath the bottom exterior surface of the tank and bowl. . Upon inspection of the exterior base of the ceramic tank, large droplets of water have begun to accumulate and also drip to the floor. The underneath exterior of the toilet bowl is wet with sweat, as is the supply valve and line from it to the tank. The exterior surface of the Flushmate tank has heavy condensation and large droplets (more than just minimal moisture) all around it from the bottom up to about the top third, where the fill level probably is.
Perhaps its all just because its summertime and the cold water that enters from the supply is just cold enough to cause this sweating. Its a drag, though, because I am of the understanding that having the Flushmate system is supposed to eliminate the toilet sweating problem. Comments?
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Author:
redwood (CT)
If you let it sit say overnight does it give a dud flush the first time you use it then work okay after that?
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Author:
sgull (AK)
Can't say that I've noticed a dud flush first flush in the morning after the toilet has been idle overnight. If I do notice such a thing when I try to remember to notice tomorrow morning, what might that indicate?
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Leaking tank
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Author:
sgull (AK)
Redwood, to satisfy my curiosity I followed the Flushmate link you provided in previous post and went ahead and submitted my Flushmate serial number to Sloan to see if it was one of those recalled because of faulty tank weld. Response back was "Your unit has been identified as NOT being within the range of products manufactured with a potential bond failure."
Meanwhile the exterior all around the Flushmate tank, the exterior bottom side of the ceramic tank, and as well as the exterior underside area of the bowl and the supply valve and supply line from it continue to sweat.
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Author:
elgato (AZ)
I have a similar issue with a Flushmate 501-A series. (Plastic tank with silver ends)
It loses pressure over time. By morning it will do nothing but if you flush and let it refill it works fine. We have replaced the cartridge and upper fill valve. The lower fill seems fine.
I suspect the tank but I cannot see or hear any leaks. The china is still perfect and it has really performed well. I would like to keep it but dont want to keep throwing parts at it.
I think a new tank, including the parts I already replaced, would be another $110-$120.
Thanks
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