Consumer Reports Recommended toilet, Gerber DF-21-318 a big Flop!

[Terry]

Consumer Reports in the August 2009 issue picks the Gerber Dual Flush as their top choice for dual flush toilets.

However, we no longer sell the Gerber with WDI Dual Flush combination.
We have had to replace more than 40% of the tanks in the first year of production due to failure of the actuator mechanism.

They are a piece of junk.

Shame on CR for not doing your homework.

This dual flush tank has been on the market for a year now.
It's a design that should have never left the factory.
If Consumer Reports had any feeling for the consumer, they would have given this model a "Don't buy" rating.

If you buy a Gerber Ultraflush, don't get the dual flush.
The 1.1 Flushmate or the 1.6 Flushmate would be a better choice then the Dual 1.1/1.6 made in China that is failing too often. When 40% fail in the first year, that is ridiculous

Not recommended
EcoFlush
WDI Technology
Gerber DF-21-318
Gerber DF-21-312
Gerber DF-21-302
Mansfield 148-119
Mansfield EcoFlush
Vortens Vienna 3113-3436

[Reader Review]

Pictures of the WDI EcoFlush tanks that are going bad.


WDI Technology EcoFlush

[Reader Review]

I just talked to Mike at Cascade Water about consumer complaints on toilets.

The toilet with the most complaints is the Gerber Ultraflush DF-21-318 dual flush.

That coincides with my experience too.

Consumer Reports gives the Gerber DF-21-318 it's highest grade, and the rest of us think that it's junk.

The folks reporting to Cascade Water and the folks reporting to Love Plumbing & Remodel realize that the pressure tank has problems.
The Gerber dual flush by WDI is not lasting.

[DIYourselfer]

I just installed the Mansfield 148-119 a few weeks ago. I thought it had the flushmate technology. I wish I had seen this earlier.

What is the warranty on this and is mansfield responsible for the warranty? Does a part have to be replaced or does the whole pressure tank have to be replaced?

Thanks in advance,

Joe

[Terry]

Does a part have to be replaced or does the whole pressure tank have to be replaced?

I've been replacing the entire tank.

[DIYourselfer]

I've been replacing the entire tank.

Do you replace it with a Flushmate unit? I see a full replacement kit from Flushmate runs about $130. I would see no reason to put back the same crappy unit, even if it is warrantied.

[WDI-Gerber]

Though we respect your opinion, we have a few corrections to the information regarding Gerber's Dual Flush toilets and the WDI flushmometer tank. The comments below come directly from WDI with some input from Gerber Plumbing Fixtures.

The web site lists WDI’s Eco-Flush B8100 Dual Flush pressure assist system as “Not Recommended” in conjunction with the Gerber Dual Flush toilet due to complaints about the Flush Mechanism breaking. Gerber’s Ultra Dual Flush toilet is a product within a product. WDI has made adjustments to that system and provides a review of these changes below which includes modifications made to the actuator mechanism to correct this problem.

We welcome you to re-evaluate this product. Please let us know where we can send a sample so you can make your own assessment. If you deem appropriate, we would appreciate your updating your website to include the most current product information.

Brief background:

The Eco-Flush system was created 6-years ago by focusing on making the unit easier to flush and increasing the overall performance of the toilet. Additionally, test results show the Eco-Flush to be quieter than pressure-assist units by other manufacturers.

Eco-Flush incorporates a “feather touch” activation system which requires very little force to operate and is fully ADA compliant. Unfortunately, the original flush actuator mechanism was designed for traditional use, not “foot flushing” and other rigorous flushing techniques sometimes used in commercial applications. As soon as this issue was brought to our attention we immediately reinforced our Flush Activation System and have had very good results ever since.

Current:

We understand that there are still units in the marketplace with our original Flush Activation System, but our Technical Support Team is on hand to send out replacement parts that are easily installed by the business owner or homeowner. If you or any customers ever have any questions or concerns regarding Eco-Flush, they can contact our Technical Support Team directly at 800-391-9821. This phone number is also printed on a label that is affixed to every Eco-Flush unit so we are always just a phone call away. Our experienced team is available Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST and is able to trouble shoot problems over the phone and then provide any necessary parts. ECO-Flush proudly stands behind our 10-year warranty and we have tens of thousands of satisfied customers.

The Eco-Flush Dual Flush system is the first and only Dual Flush Pressure Assist System available in the world. It is designed to flush 4 liters of water for liquid waste and 6 liters of water for solid waste by simply moving the flush lever in the “down” or “up” position. However, Eco-Flush also offers 1.1 GPF and 1.6 GPF models to fit a wide variety of pressure assisted toilets.

At Eco-Flush we strive to produce the highest quality pressure assist systems available in the market. We constantly strive to improve our products and listen very closely to all issues that come from actual users. It is only by listening to your customers that you can truly become a better company.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues with you in greater detail so that you once again gain the confidence to recommend the Eco-Flush Dual Flush system to your readers. We can be reached directly at 949-250-4576.

[Terry]

the original flush actuator mechanism was designed for traditional use, not “foot flushing” and other rigorous flushing techniques sometimes used in commercial applications.

I never sold or installed any of these for commercial applications.
They were sold to home owners trying to be Green.

I'm sure they weren't flushing toilets in their own home with their feet.
Like you say, it takes very little finger pressure to make them flush.
And I guess, very little can be too much.

Since WDI is aware of the problem,
Is there a recall on the old units?
Have you pulled the bad stock and replaced them with the "better" parts?
How would anyone know if they have an "improved" tank, or if they have the "bad" tank?
Is it a model number change?

The WDI Flushmometer is not the same company as Flushmate.
WDI is owned by Globe Union of China
These are two very separate companies.

[Reader Review]

Hi Terry

We bought a couple of the “Consumer reports” highly rated Gerber toilets from you. I do want to thank you for the prompt replacement tanks that failed 3 times during the first year. On your blog I saw that WDI bragged about better parts on newer models. Since we have one of the two that appears to on its way to malfunctioning again what parts are available to make them better as they fail ?? Any help is appreciated

Bill
Construction Manager

If you or any customers ever have any questions or concerns regarding Eco-Flush,
they can contact our Technical Support Team directly at 800-391-9821.

[hoodsmom]

We're have a problem with the handle on our dual-flush unit. EcoFlush sent us a flush valve control replacement part which we're going to replace as soon as my husband's got a weekday off (so we can call EcoFlush if we run into problems). Terry, in your experience does replacing the flush valve control do the trick?

[Reader Review]

Terry,

We have a problem with our toilets, and my online research led me to your plumbing forums. When I realized that you were right next door (we’re on Hollywood Hill in Woodinville), I thought I would reach out to you for advice on the problem and assistance in resolving it.

In our house in Colorado, we put in Gerber Ultra Flush toilets, and we were consistently happy with them. When we moved back to Woodinville in 2008, we did some remodeling on the house that we bought. That work included placing Gerber Dual Flush toilets everywhere. We’re happy with the performance of these toilets, at least when they perform. But we’ve found (as apparently many others have also found) that sometimes the toilet just won’t flush. Lift or press the handle, and nothing happens. I have always eventually been able to get the toilet to flush, but I don’t actually know what I’m doing to get it to work. I just try a lot of different things, and eventually it flushes. And the problem is getting worse. The toilet in the master bath has been getting into this state several times a week lately. I worry that it’s about to quit permanently. Others around the house have (so far) only had occasional malfunctions. (Fortunately, not when guests are here.)

My questions to you are: Can this situation be resolved without replacing the toilet? Or should we just switch to some other low-flow toilet? And if we’re replacing, do we have to replace the entire toilet, or can we just replace the back? That is, would it be easier to switch back to Ultra Flush than to switch to some other option? (By the way, two of the five toilets have Toto heated seats.) Finally, if we’re going to make changes, should we do all five toilets at once? Are the others eventually going to fail, like the one in the master bath?

Thanks in advance,

Chuck L
Redmond WA

[BlueHouse]

I have a Crane Plumbing toilet with WDI Ecoflush (unknown model). The handle drips when you flush it. I've checked the tank and I can't see why. Also, the dual-flush dosen't seem to work. Would aprecciate any help.


WDI Technology EcoFlush

[BlueHouse]

Here is the Costco toilet now being sold with this Lemon

Why do you call it a lemon?

[Terry]

When 40% of the tanks fail within six months, that's a Lemon.
Consumer Reports may like products that fail that quickly, but then they aren't plumbers, and they don't have to do the service calls. I'm still waiting for them to apologize for the mistake and let people know that their "Best Buy" should read, "Lemon".

WDI EcoFlush, a dual-flush pressure unit.
Made in China, not that it should have made any difference.

[Shoeless]

I have three of the "lemons" and the first one I purchased (probably 5 years ago) is exhibiting a weak flush. I called the 800 number and got an answering machine but before throwing in the towel and ordering a Flushmate replacement, I called the 949 number. A woman answered and transferred my call and someone picked up immediately. He was very helpful and asked a series of questions. He said I needed a new flush valve control assembly and offered to send me one - free for the part, $8.99 shipping.

I then told him I had read about the general unreliability of this unit. He was very familiar with this thread and assured me that this part is undergoing "continuous" redesigns to improve it. I didn't say I believed it, I'm just relaying what he told me. But I decided that it was worth a try to spend $9 rather than $140 or so for the Flushmate.

When life hands you lemons, get a new flush control valve assembly!


If I had the choice originally to buy a U.S. made system rather than a Chinese one, I would have paid substantially more. Not because that U.S. made items are necessarily better than Chinese made ones - the Chinese can make good products just like U.S. companies can make junk at times. I just would much rather support the U.S. manufacturing base. I think the best hope we have for U.S. manufacturing is for democracy to sweep into China with the eventual (and probably very gradual turn to) fair wages being paid to their workers. Wouldn't that be nice?


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