How to Troubleshoot the Flushmate on a Gerber Toilet

The Gerber Flushmate may need its inlet screen cleared.

You can troubleshoot your Gerber toilet's Flushmate and fix these problems even if you have no plumbing experience.

1. Ensure the water supply valve is completely open. The Gerber's water supply valve is at the bottom rear of the outside of the toilet. Turn the valve counterclockwise to open it.

2. Check the Gerber toilet's inlet screen if the water supply valve is not the issue. Turn off the water supply valve before doing so by turning the valve clockwise.

3. Take the lid off the water tank on the top of the Gerber toilet and flush the toilet. Disconnect the water supply line from the supply shank on the underside of the tank by twisting the tube off with your hands.

4. Check the screen inside. This filter is the inlet screen. If there is any debris in place, use a paper clip to dislodge the screen and wash the debris free, then set it back into place using your fingertips.

5. Reattach the Gerber toilet's water supply line. Turn the water supply valve counterclockwise to open it back up.

6. Check the flush valve cartridge if the preceding steps failed to correct the problems. Turn off the water supply again and flush the toilet after you remove the tank's lid once more.

7. Disengage the flush rod connected to the handle's linkage by pulling it out and away.

8. Remove the square flush valve cartridge from its position next to the flush rod. Loosen it by twisting its connection point counterclockwise with a pair of pliers, then twist the cartridge up and out by rotating it with your hands counterclockwise.

9. Check the exposed rings on the underside of the square flush cartridge. Wash off and clear any debris from the rings.

10. Reinstall the Gerber toilet's flush valve cartridge once it is cleaned by setting it back into place and tightening it with clockwise adjustments from your pliers. Open the water supply valve and continue tightening the cartridge slowly into place until the water stops running into the toilet's tank.

11. Reconnect the flush rod to the handle linkage.