American Standard Cadet 3 Three Toilet consumer product review

[moisheh]

Our Cadet has ben installed for 16 months. Works perfectly. Never had to flush twice. Mechanism is fine and has never plugged. Works as a toilet should! I would recommend this unit to anyone!

Moisheh

[ab8]

Yes, that's your leak. The large plastic nut may need to be tightened.
If snugging it up doesn't fix it, you can remove the flush valve, inspect the china inside the tank, and sand smooth if needed.

Thank you for above comment! Here's my review of American Std Cadet 3 Flowise 4.8L with multiple defects.

Glad to see some customers are not running into defects. For me, American Standard got it wrong, Home Depot made it right.

By the way, it does flush OK after Home Depot and I fixed the multiple quality problems:
1) Had to hold lever down until water makes loud gurgle in bowl, then release (else no flush); there was a styrofoam float missing from top of flapper.
2) Leak from tank bolt or tank outlet. Found this helpful comment above: "As far as I can tell, it's leaking around the sides of the gasket that goes between the tank and the bowl. If I fill the tank and watch that space, I see water starting to well up there, and then eventually start dripping out through the bolt holes... Yes, that's your leak. The large plastic nut may need to be tightened..." There was a gap between the large plastic nut and the rough porcelain surface.
3) Instructions do NOT correspond to parts, for example, no mention of the extra(?) pair of tight-fitting plastic 'washers' - maybe useful to clip the bowl base bolts into place and stop them wandering while lifting the heavy bowl into place (not mentioned in instructions).
4) It's a tough job to cut bolts after bowl is installed, so that bolt covers fit properly. Instructions should give an alternative of measuring *very carefully*, put on a nut temporarily, cut off amount indicated by measurement, then re-thread with nut. Use hacksaw or Dremel with cutter blade?

Tank went back to Home Depot, they exchanged the tank. (If they had to order replacement, I would suggest they order at least 2, so there is a better chance of one being defect-free). There is now a softer gasket, perhaps a design change to fix leak problems. I'm wary of American Standard, there seem to be quality problems. Would give it 2/5 since it does flush OK once the leaks and defects are fixed; includes a handy long nut driver for tightening nuts on tank bolts. Acts like a dual flush now: poke handle and it flushes using part of tank (about 3 liters), hold handle down and it empties tank (about 5 liters).

[gzaryz]

Below is part of my post dated 04-12-2008 that refers to the defective Cadet 3 bowls. Today I found a defect in "Bowl #4" that goes beyond cosmetic which I consider serious.

We have been noticing a foul odor like stale urine that seems to be coming from inside the toilet bowl (not on the floor or anywhere else -- both of us have good noses). Until now, I have NEVER had a toilet that smells. This morning, after I noticed that the smell had gotten worse, I took a hand mirror and looked underneath the rim. See attached photos of the separation of the glaze between the rim and the bowl. I believe that this may be where the odor is coming from.

While the toilet performs well (never a clog or a leak), a stench is unacceptable. We're giving it another good scrubbing with bleach, but my guess is that it will be going out the door and replaced with a Toto like the one in the main bathroom.

achutch

The bowls, all made in the US, had quality issues.

The first bowl rocked because of a slight projection on the bottom between the horn and the front part of the base that hadn't been trimmed, UNACCEPTABLE. That one was returned.

The second bowl didn't rock and the projection was trimmed out. However, there was a gross imperfection of a seam inside the bowl at the bottom where the water goes out which had been permanently stained blue (fired in), UNACCEPTABLE. So in late afternoon during rush hour, it got returned. I, now quite cross, informed the person at the return desk that I expected a rep from the plumbing department to meet with me, and together we would inspect every Cadet 3 bowl until I found one that was acceptable.

After looking at another bowl and finding a flaw in the glazing in the same area as bowl #2, the plumbing rep brought down a pallet of Cadet 3 bowls. Luckily, the first box he opened contained an acceptable bowl, though not flawless. Bowl #4 was brought home, is now up and running, and to its credit, it works well.

Had to create and account to reply to this thread, since I've been lurking here for months and decided to go to the 'Depot to pick up a couple Cadets to replace the builder grade Mansfields in my house. Wow, the quality control issues were not exaggerated. Both bowls with cock-eyed just like the pictures, but worse was under the rim. Both were flawed, much like this picture, but way worse.

One had this defect around at least 70% of the rim. Disgusting. The other had it in about 3 spots that were about 3 inches long. Both went back and the mansfield's back on a new wax ring until the Drakes I ordered online arrive. I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures. Maybe a Cadet from a *real* plumbing supply house won't have these defects, but i will NEVER buy another American Standard from Home Depot again. That's for sure, and both companies are getting a short nastygram from me because of this experience. Begin the "I told you so's"!

[gzaryz]

Oh, forgot to mention that the exit part of the trap was different than in all the pictures too. On both Cadets, there was no little "hump" before exiting, it made that flat almost 90 horizontally across the floor to the exit, just like all the other cheapos. The display model at the store had the hump. The two I got, none. Buyer beware, or at least open that box and inspect it before taking it home.

[joe01880]

Right is right and I was wrong and am paying for it.

I read reviews here and elsewhere on the Cadet 3 Flowise. They were on sale ay Home Depot so i bought one to replace the misserable excuse for a toilet my wife and I have been plunging eveytime we use it it seems for the last 6 years.

WOW does it flush great, does it flush down fecal matter well? I'll never know, the damn tank bolts leaked, nothing I did helped, just made more of a mess. Putting a level on it the casting is not flush either on the bowl portion. I double checked my install, the floor is level and all was done properly. The toilet was simply cast defective.

I called AS and I called Home Depot, they both agreed it should be returned for a replacement. Once was enough. I figured out of the thousands made what are the chances I would get a defect described in these and other forums including Amazon reviews. I got exactly that. Having read this forum I figured why do the same job three times. I called around and found a TOTO Drake closer to me than the Home Depot was. I uninstalled the Cadet 3 and pulled a muscle in my back and neck while carrying the heavy damn thing to the truck. Home Depot got it back, I opted for a full refund and stopped by the plumbing supply store up the street and bought the last TOTO Drake they had in stock. I figured the exrta $60 and pulled muscles were my punishment.

It took no more time to install the Drake then did the Cadet 3 and DOES NOT LEAK from its tank bolts, It seems to flush just as forceful as the Cadet 3. I still don’t know how it does on fecal matter, nature hasn’t made that call yet but it has to be better than the no name lame excuse for a toilet it replaced.


When your right, your right.

Joe

EDIT: So far so good, the TOTO Drake has flushed the best we can throw at it so far on the first flush with no plunger needed.
Neither my wife nor I care for the TOTO slow close seat. I will be replacing that with something more comfortable to us.

[Belmondo]

I guess YMMV. I just installed my 5th Cadet 3, no problems, leaks or defects. In fact, the only problem I have with them is that the "higher quality" all metal flush levers that came with the 2 "Tropic" tanks for my own place are sticky and the tanks would run until I adjusted the arm with a bend. The cheaper plastic ones don't.

[Reader Review]

I just returned a Cadet 3 that I tried installing. I spent the better part of the last week trying to get the bolt at the tank connection to quit leaking. I refitted the tank five times.

John A
Palmer AK

[davefoc]

I just returned a Cadet 3 that I tried installing. I spent the better part of the last week trying to get the bolt at the tank connection to quit leaking. I refitted the tank five times.

John A
Palmer AK

I was sorry to hear about your problems. I'm a non-plumber that has by now probably installed about 15 American Standard Cadet 3's. Along the way there have been a few problems but nothing like this. I've never seen a tank leak and most of the toilets I've installed have been in an apartment building we own and I am confident that I would have heard of a tank leak if it had occurred.

FWIW, the last American Standard Cadet 3 that I installed was a round front 10 inch rough in that we special ordered through Home Depot. We were happy with it, but before we ordered that we had ordered an American Standard Colony fit right 10 inch rough in. We ended up taking that back and ordering the American Standard Cadet 3. The Colony toilet wobbled badly. It would have been possible to shim the base to fix the problem but I installed the tile floor under the toilet and I work hard to get a flat surface so as to minimize shimming and installing a toilet that wobbled badly and that would have left a significant gap between it and the floor in places wasn't good enough in my opinion.

We selected the Colony toilet because it was a little cheaper and a little smaller (important given our very small bathrooms). In the end we were happy to pay more money to get the Cadet 3. We've just ordered another AS Cadet 3, 10 inch rough in. I will certainly mention it here if we have any problems like John A. describes.

Dave

[JJ2]

American Standard Cadet 3 splash

I had the same problem but found an easy solution at http://www.fixya.com/support/t513246...s_monthe_ago_1

It appears that the water flow tube came out and was running into the tank instead of the overflow tube. With the picture on this link, I fixed it and now my Cadet 3 does not splash up anymore. Yay!

[pburydboy]

First of all thanks to everyone for all the information. I am remodelling my house with 3 1974 colored and near useless toilets. Complete renos as I dig neither the green, blue or purple themes I currently possess.

Today I bought a Cadet 3 for bathroom #1. It wont be installed. Here is why:

Severe rocking. It rocks both side to side and front to back. I tested in on many flat surfaces to make sure it wasn't me. I can also see one side of the footing is at least 1/4" thicker than the other. I wouldn't care about the visual and sure I could shim it, but that's to much rocking for me. I don't expect machinist perfection .. but this is ridiculous.

Bad glazing. AS is really cheap with the glaze. Its glazed from the top. When I turned it over to inspect for cracks etc its looked dirty. They simply didn't fully glaze the toilet. with the toilet upside down the upper trapway (outside) is not fully glazed. It looks dirty and would get dirty. I guess no one will look at it upwards from the floor when installed but for keeping clean I want a fully glazed toilet and I don't think thats to much to ask.

Cracks. I found 2 cracked on the underside. One was a hairline crack that likely doesn't go all the way thru. The other is obviously a factory repaired crack with a slather of clay on it but they didn't fully repair it as half inch of crack is very much exposed. I can see and feel it. It runs deep and is in the front bottom lowest portion of the bowl. Does it go all the way thru? I felt up there from the inside but impossible to see that part. Why take the chance I say.

Not glazed under the rim. This is disgusting to me. I know many toilets are not glazed here. Why not?

Goopy debris under rim. I am guessing this is where they join the castings? Because under the rim of my toilet is a ring of goop. They cleaned this up for the most part except the 1/3rd of bowl at the front. I can see right now will interfere with the water flow. Maybe this is what caused the "splash" issues some people are having. Water would hit the roll of goo and bouce off it rather that swirl the bowl (and rinse)

Level? No. The bowl is not terrible but not at all level with variations I checked aroud the bowl with a torpedo level.

The back of the tank is not glazed.

My old toilets maybe a hippy colorfest but they are glazed fully. They are AS "Plaza" toilets that I assume were original to the house as they match the tile in each room. Terrible performers but when I ripped the old one out is was glazed every inch front, back, underneath ..... FULLY glazed.

Anyway, this Cadet 3 is going back to home depot. I would buy a Toto but they are really hard to get around here. And expensive. No parts available. I don't want to call a plumber every time I need a toilet part. But I cannot be wasting my time returning toilets either. Even as a homeowner DIY'er my time is worth more and if I have to play the Cadet lotto with 3-4 toilets in the end that's going to be one expensive toilet factoring in time. I do not understand Home Depots rationale for selling this junk either. They seem to have less choice and more complete trash every year. I assume they process tons of returns too. No wonder there are always 4 people at the returns counter and 2 check out clerks on shift at my local orange box. Anyone near Windsor, Ontario selling Totos to the home user?

Best toilets I ever used were everywhere in Japan. I believe these are toto? Every Japanese toilet I used flushed like Al Bundys wet dream. It seems a standard almost every place has the same toilet.

Anyway ... I am disappointed with the Cadet 3. Really poor quality. What's with the Styrofoam glued in the tank? Is this really the proper way to line a toilet?

[Mikey]

I would buy a Toto but they are really hard to get around here. And expensive. No parts available.

Home Depot and many on-line sellers carry Korky internal parts for Toto. If you need a new ceramic part, they're available from lots of on-line sellers; easier to be careful not to need a new ceramic part.

[pburydboy]

whats with the censorship?

Posts were moved to a new page. This is an American Standard Cadet 3 thread. The TOTO questions were moved to a new page.
Terry

[wptski]

What's with the Styrofoam glued in the tank? Is this really the proper way to line a toilet?

I installed a Cadet 3 from HD last October and didn't have anything inside the tank but the fill/flush valve. I had two different tanks as one leaked.

Censorship???????????

EDIT: The first tank lid had a huge notch along the back edge on the right side. Noticed a notch but not as bad on a dual flush floor model at Lowes also. The second tank lid has a notch also but very minor.

That must be their insulated tank version?