These buttons are way fussier than the old handle—sometimes I miss just having one thing to worry about.
Honestly, I hear this a lot. The dual flush buttons look modern but they’re more trouble than they’re worth sometimes. Vinegar and citric acid can help with mineral buildup, but if you’re not seeing much difference, it’s probably more than just scale. Half flush issues are often down to worn seals or sticky mechanisms inside the cistern, not just gunk.
I’ve swapped out more of these button setups for clients than I can count. Sometimes the fix is as simple as replacing a dodgy seal or cleaning out the actuator, but other times the whole mechanism’s just cheap plastic that doesn’t hold up. If you’re comfortable opening up the tank, check for any warped or cracked parts. Otherwise, you might be chasing your tail with soaks and scrubs.
Honestly, the old lever systems were a lot more forgiving. These new setups save water on paper, but only if they actually work right...
I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s like, you’d think something designed to save water would just work out of the box, but half the time it’s more hassle than it’s worth. I’ve had the same issue at home—one button feels fine, but the other is always a little off or doesn’t seal right. Sometimes you can clean it up and it’ll work for a bit, then it’s back to square one.
Honestly, it’s not always just buildup like people say. Those rubber seals inside get worn down pretty fast, especially if your water’s got a lot of minerals. I tried swapping out the seal on ours and it made a difference for a while, but eventually the whole mechanism started sticking again. Not sure if it’s just cheap parts or what.
It can feel a bit defeating, but you’re definitely not missing something obvious. These setups just aren’t as forgiving as the old levers. At least you’re not alone in dealing with it… half the people I know have given up and just use the full flush every time.
Honestly, I’ve wondered if these dual flush setups are just a bit too clever for their own good. Have you checked if the buttons are actually lining up with the mechanism underneath? Sometimes the plastic gets warped or the alignment’s just off by a hair, and it messes with the seal. Also, is the float moving freely, or does it feel sticky? I’ve seen a few where a tiny bit of grit or even a misaligned chain can throw the whole thing off. It’s wild how something so simple can be so finicky.
Sometimes the plastic gets warped or the alignment’s just off by a hair, and it messes with the seal.
- Seen this a lot, especially with cheaper models.
- Had one last week where the half flush wouldn’t seal because the button rod was just a millimeter off—took ages to spot.
- Also, grit in the mechanism is a pain. Even a tiny bit can jam things up.
- Sometimes, the fix is just reseating the whole button assembly.
- Not always “too clever,” but definitely more finicky than the old single flush setups.
Sometimes, the fix is just reseating the whole button assembly.
Funny how often it’s something that simple, right? I’ve had jobs where I spent half an hour poking around, only to realize the button was just a hair off-center. Drives me nuts. Ever notice how some of those dual flush buttons feel like they’re made out of the cheapest plastic known to man? I swear, one sneeze and they’re out of alignment. The old single flush levers might’ve been boring, but at least they didn’t need this much babysitting...
