How To Adjust A Dual Flush Toilet
Dual-flush toilets are very convenient as they are more environment-friendly as well as cost-efficient. As you can select the amount of flush water from the two flushing systems of the toilet, it can save water. You can either go for a half flush or full flush to wash out the waste in the toilet bowl.
Generally, the dual flush toilets have two buttons on the top of the lid of the toilet tank. The grey or white larger button is for a full flush and the blue or green smaller button is for a half flush.
The pushbuttons vary depending on the models and brands of the toilet and sometimes you can also adjust the flush volume for your convenience.
A Brief On Dual-flush Toilet
Like any other toilet, a dual-flush toilet requires some maintenance and adjustment. You can easily adjust these toilets though the system is a bit complicated.
Generally, toilets come with an overflow valve and a fill valve which is generally on the left side and connects to the float responding to the water level.
The float rises or falls with the change in the water level. This system determines the level of water on each tank of the dual flush.
On the other hand, the overflow valve releases the excess water from the tank. You will find the overflow valve in the back and it will be close to the fill valve.
Dual-flush Toilets With Push Buttons
Push buttons dual-flush toilets also come with plunger assembly or flush valve which has two rods that lead to the lid from the button. Make sure you don’t bend and damage the rods while removing and replacing the lid of the tank.
Generally, you will find the plunger assembly on the top of the hole which leads toward the toilet bowl. When you will depress any of the sides of the plunger assembly it will lift and plunger and flush the full or half water.
Adjustment Of The Weak Flush
Before heading towards the adjustment process you need to turn off the water supply then remove the lid of the tank. For avoiding the scratch on the ceramic, you should place the lip upside down on a newspaper, towel or bathroom rug.
The reason for the weak flush may be a lower water level or improper calibration in the plunger assembly. First of all, remove the plunger assembly by twisting it counter-clockwise.
The partial counter-clockwise twist will unlock the tabs which hold the assembly. Now, remove the plunger assembly carefully and check both sides.
You can adjust the flush capacity of most of the dual-flush plunger assembly as it can calibrate the half-flush and full-flush both.
After making necessary adjustments on the flush capacity, put it back to the tank and water the water supply on. Test both of the flushes to figure out the after-effect of the adjustments.
Water-level Adjustments
If the adjustment of the plunger level doesn’t come with a good outcome, you can try water level adjustment. You can adjust the fill valve in two ways which is either a coarse adjustment or a fine adjustment. The coarse adjustment makes big changes whereas the fine adjustment makes small ones.
Normally in fine adjustments, you may need to turn a screw on the float clockwise with a screwdriver for raising the water level. This process will help you to get a stronger flush.
On the other hand, you can move the cylinder of the fill valve up and down. There may be a pin or tab or a latch for adjusting the cylinder. You can unpin or open the tab or latch for adjusting the position of the cylinder.
The water line should be half inches below the overflow valve and most of the ranks mark this line on the tank. After adjusting the water level you need to replace or close the pin or latch and turn on the water supply.
Adjustment Of The Running Water
If the water is constantly running out of the flush you will need to adjust the plunger assembly. The constantly running water may occur from the too-long rods or too high water level or slightly open plunger. If the running water stops after removing the lid, there may be a problem with the rods.
So, you need to make the rods shorter by turning the nuts clockwise. According to expert opinion, the rods should stay 1/16 inch from the button. If there is too high a water level, then adjust the water level as the above-mentioned process and keep it below the overflow level.
If you are still facing problems with the running water even after adjusting the rod height and water level, you will have to check the plunger assembly now. First of all, you will have to empty the water tank of the toilet then remove the plunger assembly from the tank.
Now, you have to check if there is any calcium deposit or debris by running the finger inside the gasket. Building up calcium is a common issue in the toilet plunger assembly.
You can use lime or calcium cleaning products for removing the calcium deposits and debris. But if there is damage to the gasket you need to replace it from the manufacturers. After replacing the plunger, refill the water and check if the water is still running or not.
