A commercial store in North Bethesda had already bought a Sloan 8111 exposed sensor closet flushometer and asked us to quote removing their old flushometer, installing the new one and testing it.
The question
The store needed the flushometer on one of its commercial toilets replaced. They had already bought the replacement, a Sloan 8111-1.6 OR exposed sensor closet flushometer, and asked for a quote for labor only: remove the old unit, install the new one, and test it.
What's going on
A flushometer is the tankless flush valve used on commercial toilets. It uses the building's water pressure to flush the bowl directly, instead of refilling a tank. The Sloan 8111 is an exposed, sensor-operated model: it flushes on its own when the user steps away, so nobody has to touch a handle. The 1.6 in the model name is the flush volume, 1.6 gallons per flush. When a business supplies the part, the key checks are that the valve's flush volume matches the toilet bowl and that it connects to the existing supply stop and the spud on the bowl.
What we recommended
- Asked: a labor quote to replace a commercial toilet flushometer with a new unit the store already had.
- Sent: a link to the exact model they bought, the Sloan 8111-1.6 OR, so we could see what we would be installing.
- Typical install: shut off the supply stop, remove the old flushometer, fit the new valve body, vacuum breaker and flush tube to the supply and the bowl, then turn the water back on, set up the sensor and run several test flushes to check for leaks.
What the estimate covers
- Sloan 8111-1.6 OR exposed sensor closet flushometer (supplied by the store)
Tips for North Bethesda businesses
- Before buying a replacement flushometer, check the flush volume printed on the toilet bowl (for example 1.6 or 1.28 gallons per flush) and buy a valve rated to match.
- Note whether the existing valve feeds from the left, right or straight back, so the new valve lines up with the supply.
- Sensor flushometers run on batteries or a hardwired power supply. Check which one your model uses, and keep spare batteries on hand.
- If the restroom has to stay open for customers or staff, ask for an early or after-hours slot so the toilet is out of service for as short a time as possible.