The Importance of Genuine vs. Knock-off Parts

Specifying pressure-assist toilet technology helps to deliver water-saving solutions while driving down costs for commercial and residential restrooms alike.

However, while the benefits of pressure-assist technology are well documented to help eliminate clogs, reduce water consumption, and increased drainline carry of waste, it’s important to understand what to look for during the maintenance process to achieve these benefits without malfunctioning parts.

That’s because the industry has been seeing a trend of online stores and untrusted vendors selling knock-off flush valve cartridges. While these cartridges may look nearly identical to genuine OEM parts, they have some minor differences that—if not identified—can lead to major performance issues when it comes to quality and reliability.

Of course, purchasing flush valve cartridges directly from authorized distributors of the manufacturer helps to avoid this process entirely. These authorized distributors can assist by not only providing the part, but also answering any questions customers may have.

However, by understanding the symptoms of a knock-off cartridge, as well as how to spot the difference between original and knock-off versions, customers can rest easy knowing that their pressure-assist system provides reliable water savings and performance.

Symptoms of a Knock-off Cartridge

A knock-off cartridge may be difficult to discern from an original version, but a handful of subtle indicators can reveal if the purchased cartridge is in fact authentic.

Signs of a knock-off cartridge include:

·      More Difficult to Flush – Increased force may be required due to variances in components within the cartridge assembly. Knock-off cartridges lack the necessary stack-up and design standards of OEM-brand cartridges, resulting in potential premature failure.

·      System Setup – Failure of the O-ring can lead to water leakage from the vessel into the bowl, termed a "no setup condition," causing the pressure-assist system to allow water to flow continuously between flushes.

·      More Difficult to Install – Inconsistency with threads on knock-off cartridges misalign with the vessel threads and may not allow the customer to install the cartridge into the vessel. This could also damage the vessel threads, resulting in the need for a complete vessel replacement.

·      Premature Part Failure – Knock-off cartridges may not undergo rigorous quality control testing, leading to premature failure compared to the life-cycle tested OEM-brand cartridges.

·      Cartridge Stem Sticking Down/Doesn’t Return to Normal Position – Knock-off cartridges may become stuck in a depressed position and fail to return to the normal position, causing the unit to continuously run and not shut off.

·      Squeaking Noise – Knock-off cartridges may make a squeaking noise, which can be a nuisance for the customer.

·       Duckbill Does Not Open or Close – The duckbill valve included with a knockoff cartridge may not fully open to allow air into the system or close preventing water to leak out of it. The purpose of the duckbill is to draw air into the unit. If the air is not being drawn in, the unit will become waterlogged and will not have a powerful flush.

Spotting the Difference

In addition to performance indicators, there are visible ways to tell the difference between knock-off and genuine cartridges, including:

·      Brand Authenticity – Check the packaging for brand logo, packaging, and presentation. Knock-off products often have subtle differences or inconsistencies in branding.

·      Price Discrepancies — Be cautious of lower prices compared to the market average. Authentic OEM products generally maintain a certain price range that reflects their quality and manufacturing standards.

·      Warranty and Documentation — Genuine products typically include proper documentation, user manuals, warranties, company information, and contact numbers. Verify the presence of this information, as knock-off products often lack them or have poorly written and translated materials.

·      Jacket Color – Genuine cartridges have a colored jacket, while knock-off cartridges have a white jacket.

·      Florescent-colored Dots – In some instances, non-genuine cartridges will have fluorescent-colored dots on top of the fins.

·      Squared-off Fins – Non-genuine cartridges have squared-off fins in the top cap, while genuine cartridges may have a rounded edge.

·      Actuators – Genuine replacement cartridges will include an independent adjustor with the brand name recessed into the part. Knock-off cartridges have actuator caps that are different in appearance than genuine cartridge actuators.

A pioneer in pressure-assist technology, Flushmate has been delivering water savings with reliable performance for over 35 years. Flushmate cartridges are built for longevity and performance, and the company’s customer service team encourages any customers to reach out with questions on the difference between knock-off and genuine cartridges.

Before finalizing your next purchase, verify that the flush valve cartridge included is a genuine Flushmate cartridge. Ensuring authenticity is crucial for the continued performance of your system. You can confirm the cartridge provided by contacting Flushmate at www.flushmate.com.

Mike Gembarski is Flushmate’s Senior Product Line Manager. For over 35 years, Flushmate has set out to build an environmentally conscious company by producing systems that deliver superior performance while conserving more water. Today, Flushmate is the preferred choice of installers and users around the world for pressure-assisted systems.