Introduction: How to Fix Leaking Water Ridge Dual Flush Toilet From Costco
If you bought a Water Ridge dual flush toilet from Costco, you might find that sometimes after flushing (typically with the #2 flush button; the 6L flush) the flush valve gets stuck. This means the tank doesn't re-fill, as the water just continuously pours directly into the toilet bowl. This is a massive waste of water and can become quite frustrating.
We have 3 of these toilets, and they all leak (sometimes) depending on how you press the flush buttons. We contacted Water Ridge and were shipped new flushing mechanisms but they continued to leak. So we decided to perform a Root Cause Analysis to get to the bottom of this frustrating problem. We took apart the mechanism to investigate where it could possible get stuck, and we think we found the problem.
The Problem:
When you depress the flush button, it presses DOWN on a lever which pivots and pulls the entire valve assembly UP thereby allowing the water in the tank to flush into the bowl. There is a latch mechanism that keeps the valve assembly UP until the water level drops to specific amount. The problem is that sometimes, even though the latch mechanism releases the valve assembly, the valve assembly remains in the UP position. Jiggling the flush buttons will typically drop the valve, but doing this is annoying. Since the latch mechanism isn't keeping the valve assembly in the UP position, it must be something else. After taking apart the assembly, it looks like the lever can sometimes get stuck holding the valve assembly in the UP position.
It looks like the axle that the lever pivots around has casting lines on both sides it caused by the manufacturing process. It seems that the lever can sometimes get 'stuck' on these keeping the valve in the UP position. This is why jiggling the flush buttons sometimes works to dislodge the valve assembly.
The Solution:
The solution to this problem is to carefully sand down the casting marks left during the manufacturing process to make the axle smooth and preventing the lever from getting stuck.
1. To open the assembly, first line up the flush buttons with the float mechanism. This aligns tabs on the button mechanism with a slot on the mating surface allowing you to 'pop' the button assembly off with the help of a screwdriver. It will also prevent breaking off the tabs. If you break off the tabs, the button assembly will not lock in place when you reassemble it (speaking from experience).
2. Carefully pop off the button assembly with the help of a screwdriver.
3. Disengage the lever from the valve assembly by carefully prying with a screwdriver (see video).
4. Pop off the lever from the axle on button assembly and remove.
5. With some fine grit sand paper or emery cloth, polish the casting marks off of the axle.
6. Reassemble the mechanism. Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.
We have 3 of these toilets, and they all leak (sometimes) depending on how you press the flush buttons. We contacted Water Ridge and were shipped new flushing mechanisms but they continued to leak. So we decided to perform a Root Cause Analysis to get to the bottom of this frustrating problem. We took apart the mechanism to investigate where it could possible get stuck, and we think we found the problem.
The Problem:
When you depress the flush button, it presses DOWN on a lever which pivots and pulls the entire valve assembly UP thereby allowing the water in the tank to flush into the bowl. There is a latch mechanism that keeps the valve assembly UP until the water level drops to specific amount. The problem is that sometimes, even though the latch mechanism releases the valve assembly, the valve assembly remains in the UP position. Jiggling the flush buttons will typically drop the valve, but doing this is annoying. Since the latch mechanism isn't keeping the valve assembly in the UP position, it must be something else. After taking apart the assembly, it looks like the lever can sometimes get stuck holding the valve assembly in the UP position.
It looks like the axle that the lever pivots around has casting lines on both sides it caused by the manufacturing process. It seems that the lever can sometimes get 'stuck' on these keeping the valve in the UP position. This is why jiggling the flush buttons sometimes works to dislodge the valve assembly.
The Solution:
The solution to this problem is to carefully sand down the casting marks left during the manufacturing process to make the axle smooth and preventing the lever from getting stuck.
1. To open the assembly, first line up the flush buttons with the float mechanism. This aligns tabs on the button mechanism with a slot on the mating surface allowing you to 'pop' the button assembly off with the help of a screwdriver. It will also prevent breaking off the tabs. If you break off the tabs, the button assembly will not lock in place when you reassemble it (speaking from experience).
2. Carefully pop off the button assembly with the help of a screwdriver.
3. Disengage the lever from the valve assembly by carefully prying with a screwdriver (see video).
4. Pop off the lever from the axle on button assembly and remove.
5. With some fine grit sand paper or emery cloth, polish the casting marks off of the axle.
6. Reassemble the mechanism. Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.
13 Comments
4 years ago
Purchased 5 dual flush WaterRidge toilets from Costco 7 years ago. They all worked well until few months ago when two of them started to leak and generate quite loud fluttering noise. I adjusted the height of the plungers which appeared to solve the problem for a short while. Them I removed the central column to check the 3” seal. Both exhibited swelling about twice the thickness of the rubber seal and over 1/4 of the circumference.
The only difference between those two toilets et the 3 other we have in the house is that few months ago we started to use CLOROX tablets to remove lime deposit in the bowl.
CLOROX is BLEACH and bleach is SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE. I am convinced that a chemical reaction is taking place as rubber compounds such as SBR, NITRILE & NEOPRENE for instance are NOT COMPATIBLE with HYPOCLOROUS ACIDE.
I reached to Globeunion their customer service and they were kind enough to send me new seals. They solved the problem. In the meantime the two swollen seals that I had cleaned up and put aside had come back to their original dimensions.
I wanted to relate my observations to the design and chemical engineers from WaterRidge but was told that their “design team is based out of our international HQ in Taiwan”, and I guess that wanted to leave it at that.
I would have strongly suggested them to re-asses whatever rubber compound material they use with CLOROX. They wanted me to return the defective parts, but as I said they came back to their original state.
My posting could have been more technical and if it is still confusing, i suggest NOT to USE CLOROX IN YOUR TOILET BOWL.
Oh, by the way next time you design a molded seal, do not put the cavity number of the mold close to where the valve seats.
Mike V
Reply 2 years ago
Me too. I noticed the seal seemed mushy. Blistered. I fixed by sticking a sewing needle into the edge and then squeezed the water out through the puncture. It's worked for sever years now. No parts needed.
Reply 4 years ago
I have to say that's a very thorough investigation! I still laugh because this topic gets me on average one comment per year or so, its amazing to me that people are still strugging with this! Happy flushing!
Tip 5 years ago
Water ridge toilets from Costco have a 5 year warranty. I've had no problems getting spare parts. They don't ask for dates or proof of purchase. They seem to ship anything for free. Phone number and product number should be in tank.
Tech Services
Globe Union North America
TEL: 888-648-6466
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks for the phone number. I called them up and sure enough they will indeed replace the valve for free. My problem was the same as PEH63. Leaking gasket at bottom of plunger.
Question 4 years ago on Introduction
Hello,
Would you be able to tell me the model number for your toliet ? We have the exact same flushing canister but I cant find the model number for my toliet. I checked the tank and had no luck.
Thanks!!!
6 years ago
MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE SEAL AT THE MOVING PLUNGER AT THE BOTTOM. THE RUBBER SEAL AND THE TOILET BASE PASSES WATER AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TIME. I REMOVED THE RUBBER WASHER AND TURNED IT AROUND, USED SOME FINE STEEL WOOL TO CLEAN THE BASE BUT AFTER A WHILE IT STILL PASSES WATER.
I CHECKWD THIS BY GETTING A WATER TEST KIT FROM THE LOCAL HARDWARE STORE AND IT SHOWED THAT WATER WAS STILL LEAKING THROUGH THE SEAL.
NOW, I'LL GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FACTORY AND SEE ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT PART.
THIS WAS WORTH THE TRY.
PEH
7 years ago
Thank you very much for this. It worked perfectly. You saved me a lot of trouble,.
Took me a minute to remove the assembly. Turn counter clockwise about a half tuen and it popped out.
Reply 7 years ago
I'm glad people are still finding this useful after all this time!
7 years ago
Thank you !
I have been searching for parts. I have lived with this for over a year. Turning on and off the water. I purchased mine (2) 8 years ago. Only one has the problem.
7 years ago on Introduction
I just had my WaterRidge installed from costco 8-29-15). I have had 5 massive radical back surgeries and was relying on Costco's name when I purchased it. I am not able to get down on the floor and do all of these things that you guys describe. Wish me luck or I will have to clear that path out in the back yard. WHY do they continue to sell such inferior products.This has drastically changed my opinion of them .
8 years ago on Introduction
Can you tell me what the model number is of your toilet. I have exactly the same valve that needs to be replaced but my toilet has no model number in the tank. Thanks.
8 years ago on Introduction
This has been a thorn in my side for a while . Looked this issue up and just performed the fix as you showed. So far so good ! Thanks so much for the very valuable help!
Build_it_Bob