Two years ago I purchased a 30 year old house and started bathroom renovations shortly thereafter. Replaced existing toilets with two American Standard Cadet 3’s purchased through Home Despondent (approx $260.00 ea). All worked well for about six months when I heard water running at random times throughout the night. Since neither the wife nor I were making any midnight potty runs in our sleep,,,, and toilet training the cat failed miserably,,,,there could be only one other reason. Blistering of the flapper seal - as my fellow board brethren earlier made mention of. Marched back to HD with the offending part only to be told they do not carry AS replacements. You sell their product but do not stock replacement parts???!!!! Shopped the other big boxes to be told the same sob story. Apparently they are not permitted to sell AS replacements through their chains. (Inner voice chimes in, “I smell a corporate conspiracy brewing”.)
Furiously dialed up American Standard Customer service,,,only to be placed on brutal ignore for almost one hour (on two separate occasions) and several emails – a fruitless waste of some choice profanity as they never responded. Finally got a lead ‘bout a plumbing supplier in Oshawa who happened to have one OEM flapper in stock. Fortunately he gave it to me as the toilet was still under warranty. WELL HALLELUJAH!!! Ordinarily you have to buy the entire flapper assembly ($15.00) as the rubber seal is only sold with the plastic flapper housing (more corporate conspiracy). Installed the new part and not 2 weeks later the second toilet starts leaking. AAARRGGHH!!! Had to wait another 2 weeks as the plumbing supplier did not have any more flappers in stock. A month thereafter and I’m in toilet heaven – no more leaks or wasting water.
Fast forward five months and the 1st toilet starts leaking again. The dreaded blistering of the flapper seal had reared its ugly head. DOUBLE AAARRRGGGHHH!!! OOOOHHHH MY KINGDOM TO HAVE A SPLASHER problem. More “spirited” emails,,,,More phone calls to American Standard went no where as their call center obviously specialize in customer irritation. Ended up shelling out $30.00 to replace both flappers.
Happy to report everything is fine,,,,,,,,,,,,,until this week . The DAMMMNNNN white hunk-of-junk is leaking AGAIN!!!
After scrutinizing the box the flappers came in I finally discovered what the ultimate underlying problem has been all along:
MADE IN CHINA
Closing Remarks:
(1) American Standard Cadet 3 is a great product ,,,,if you are looking to purchase a unique lawn
ornament.
(2) My previous 30 year old toilets were better water conservers than this 1.6l Niagara Falls.
(3) For a “delightful” case of frustration and cauliflower ear syndrome,,,try calling American Standard Customer Service
(4) Imho, there is more crap in this product,,,, than the "floaters" found in the bowl.
I wouldn’t put one of these units in my grandma’s outhouse!
Good day and good farmin’