Toilet humour aside, more than one million toilet flushing systems are being recalled due to complaints they can malfunction, causing them to explode. The recall is for Flushmate II 501-B pressure-assisted flushing systems installed inside toilet tanks that were manufactured from September 3, 1996 to December 7, 2013. The rounded oval units are black, two-piece vessels made of injection molded plastic. According to the recall "the Flushmate II 501-B system can burst at or near the vessel weld seam releasing stored pressure. This pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, posing impact and laceration hazards to consumers and property damage." In Canada there have been seven reported incidents, no one was hurt. In the United States, there have been 1,446 reports of bursting toilets, which have resulted in property damage and 23 injuries. Approximately 17,300 units were sold in Canada, and about 1,400,000 were sold in the United States. The products were manufactured in the United States and sold through in store and online at acklansgrainger.com, hdsupplysolutions.ca and homedepot.ca. Consumers with the potentially dangerous Flushmate II 501-B systems are advised to stop using them, turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it to release any internal pressure. They can then contact Flushmate to request a replacement unit and installation.
Home Depot is among three retailers to have issued a product recall for more than one million toilet flushing systems after 1,446 reports of 'bursting' toilets in the US, resulting in 23 injuries. The company said it was recalling all affected models and that customers should stop using them until they are fixed. Around 1.4 million have been sold in the US, and approximately 17,300 in Canada, where seven incidents have been reported with no injuries.