Sloan Manual Flushometer Troubleshooting Guide

10 Most Common Sloan Manual Flushometer Problems and How to Fix Them

Flushometer care and maintenance are important. When you start experiencing problems with your flushometer, do you know what to look for in order to diagnose and fix the issue? The experts at Sloan have put together a helpful guide of the most common issues and how to resolve them.

Issue 1: Why does my manual Flushometer continuously flush without shutting off?

There are 4 most common issues that could be causing your Sloan manual Flushometer to flush with no shut-off:

1. Check if there is debris blocking the bypass. If so, clean the diaphragm to clear the bypass orifice.
2. Check if there is debris under the diaphragm. If so, remove the debris.
3. Has the relief valve disc A-15-A degraded? If so, replace the diaphragm assembly.
4. Are you experiencing a low-pressure drop? If so, check the facility or municipal line pressure. In all four situations, it’s a good idea to flush debris from the line.

Issue 2: Why does my manual Flushometer not flush?

There are 3 most common issues that could be causing no activation when the handle is pressed on your Sloan manual flushometer:

1. If the static pressure is too high (above 80 psi / 5.5 bar), adjust the pressure regulator, and consider using a Sloan A-19-A brass relief valve.
2. Check if the handle is worn out. If so, repair or replace the handle
3. Check if the relief valve is frozen or stuck. If so, clean or replace the relief valve.

Issue 3: Why is there no evacuation when the handle of my manual flushometer is depressed?

There are 3 most common issues for evacuation to fail with a manual Sloan flushometer:

1. If the pressure is too low (< 25 psi / < 1.7 bar), address the deficiencies within the plumbing system.
2. If the low consumption (LC) or urinal diaphragm is installed in an older closet, install the correct gpf diaphragm.
3. If short flushing is occurring, this is due to a perforated diaphragm. Replace the diaphragm to solve the issue. Contact us for a list of diaphragm kits or explore our selection of Sloan Diaphragm Kits online.

Issue 4: Why is there water leaking from the threads beneath the manual flushometer cover?

There are 2 reasons why your manual flushometer cover may leak:

1. If the cover is not tight enough, turn off the water and tighten the cover with a fixed smooth jaw wrench.
2. If the inside cover is cracked, you will need to replace the inside cover, using either a Sloan A-71 or a Sloan A-11 Tune-Up Kit.

Issue 5: Why is there water leaking from the Tailpiece of my manual Sloan Flushometer?

The most common reason you find a leak at the tailpiece, which is next to the control stop, is due to a worn-out or degraded O-Ring. Simply replace the H-553 O-Ring to fix the leak.

Issue 6: Why is there a leak from the Handle Socket or Handle Coupling on my manual flushometer?

1. If the leak is coming from the handle socket, this could be caused by a worn-out handle seal or a cracked handle bushing. To solve either problem, simply replace it with a Sloan B-51-A handle repair kit.
2. There could be two reasons for a leak is coming from the handle coupling:
• If the handle coupling is loose, simply tighten the handle coupling using a fixed smooth jaw wrench.
• If the handle gasket is worn, replace it with a Sloan A-31 handle gasket.

Issue 7: Could the Vacuum Breaker be causing a leak on my Sloan manual flushometer?

The cause of this type of leak depends on if the leak is coming from above or below the vacuum breaker.

1. If there is dripping coming from above the vacuum breaker coupling during or after flushing, the vacuum breaker sack could be damaged from over-tightening the vacuum breaker coupling.
2. Dripping coming from below the vacuum breaker coupling during or after flushing is most often caused by a worm or degraded vacuum breaker sack.

In either case, you should clean the vacuum breaker tube and replace the vacuum breaker sack with a Sloan V-551-A Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit or V-651A high backpressure VB repair kit. Remember to wet the gasket prior to installation and high tighten, then “snug” with the wrench.

Issue 8: What would cause a leak at the Control Stop Screw on my Sloan manual Flushometer?

The most common reason for a leak from the control stop adjustment screw is that the O-Ring inside the control stop is worn. Simply replace it with the Sloan H-541-ASD control stop repair kit. For older urinals, use the Sloan H-543-ASD control stop repair kit.

Issue 9: What would cause a leak from the Spud Flange Coupling on my Sloan manual Flushometer?

Leaking from the spud flange coupling is typically caused by two main issues:

1. If the spud flange coupling has loosened, tighten the spud flange coupling.
2. If the spud flange coupling gaskets have become worn, replace the F3 friction ring and VBF5 gasket (1-¼” or 1-½”) or F5 gasket (¾” or 1”)

Issue 10: Why is the flush inconsistent on my Sloan manual Flushometer?

There are three main reasons that would cause the flush duration to be randomly normal, long or short:

1. If the handle is worn out due to age or abuse, replace the handle using a Sloan B-73-A Handle Assembly Kit.
2. If the relief valve is worn out due to age or high static water pressure, replace the valve or diaphragm assembly.
3. If there is pressure fluctuation within your facility, check the plumbing system pressure and flow capacity.

Sloan Manual Flushometer Maintenance Best Practices

The experts at Sloan have put together the below list of best practices for maintaining and servicing manual flushometers:

• Do not use pipe dope or Teflon tape
• Tighten couplings and covers by hand first, and then “snug” with a wrench
• Always use a fixed smooth jaw wrench
• Avoid compression wrenches
• Carry 100% silicone grease
• Clean threads with a brass bristle brush
• Wet gaskets before installing
• Clean with soap and water only
• Review the Sloan Maintenance Schedules to ensure your Flushometer parts are replaced at the recommended intervals for best performance.


As an authorized distributor of Sloan, Cooney Brothers stocks a wide variety of Sloan Flushometers, Sloan Faucets, and Sloan Repair Parts. Shop over 450 Sloan products on our website or contact us with questions here.