mrb627
Well-known member
Been looking at toilets today. Anyone have any insight or recommendation?
Considering the American Standard Cadet III
Malcolm.
Considering the American Standard Cadet III
Malcolm.
Here we go... Best Toilet?
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danemodsandy
Well-known member
WHATEVER You Do....
....Do not buy any unit that has a square-backed bowl.
A square-backed bowl is one that is oval at the front, but squared off at the rear of the bowl, instead of completely oval as most bowls are.
The problem - and hoo boy, is it a problem - with square-backed bowls is that solid waste hits that squared-off area and leaves, ahem, a streak. A big streak. EVERY time.
I have one now (rented house), and I would undertake hand-to-hand combat to prevent anyone from installing another one in any place I live in the future. Here's a sketch; if I got the clockwise/counterclockwise thing wrong, forgive me:
....Do not buy any unit that has a square-backed bowl.
A square-backed bowl is one that is oval at the front, but squared off at the rear of the bowl, instead of completely oval as most bowls are.
The problem - and hoo boy, is it a problem - with square-backed bowls is that solid waste hits that squared-off area and leaves, ahem, a streak. A big streak. EVERY time.
I have one now (rented house), and I would undertake hand-to-hand combat to prevent anyone from installing another one in any place I live in the future. Here's a sketch; if I got the clockwise/counterclockwise thing wrong, forgive me:
magic_clean
Well-known member
Just went
through this process. Have had good very good success with Kohler models shown in the link. They have a neat slow closing lid and more importantly, good flushing with minimal water use.
through this process. Have had good very good success with Kohler models shown in the link. They have a neat slow closing lid and more importantly, good flushing with minimal water use.
Check out Kohler, they have a very comprehensive website. Their best non-assisted flush action is the Class Five. Toto is also very well respected for good flushing; I know a few contractors who will install nothing else as they have fewer complaints with them. I once had a project where the interior designer specified some very pretty Porcher toilets for all the primary baths. The owner hated them as sometimes he had to flush twice. The designer then left town for an extended vacation before the guest wing was renovated so I specified Totos for those baths, which served not only the guest bedrooms but also the media room. The owner loved them as they flushed so much better than the way more expensive Porchers.
Other considerations are height (Kohler "Comfort Height" toilets are a little higher than normal) and bowl shape. The latter will be either round or elongated, with the elongated bowl extending farther out in front to a more elliptical curve than a regular round bowl. This doesn't mean anything to women but for guys the elongated bowl is handy and reduces stray drips. Check your rough-in too, this is the distance from the wall to the waste hub in the floor, most are 12" but there are some toilets for 10" rough in.
If this is a job requiring permits make sure you know what water consumption your municipality requires as the building inspector will check that out. And don't assume everything on a website will be in stock locally; you'll need to call around for that. At the same time you can look into real-world pricing as most plumbing supply companies will happily beat list prices on common brands.
Other considerations are height (Kohler "Comfort Height" toilets are a little higher than normal) and bowl shape. The latter will be either round or elongated, with the elongated bowl extending farther out in front to a more elliptical curve than a regular round bowl. This doesn't mean anything to women but for guys the elongated bowl is handy and reduces stray drips. Check your rough-in too, this is the distance from the wall to the waste hub in the floor, most are 12" but there are some toilets for 10" rough in.
If this is a job requiring permits make sure you know what water consumption your municipality requires as the building inspector will check that out. And don't assume everything on a website will be in stock locally; you'll need to call around for that. At the same time you can look into real-world pricing as most plumbing supply companies will happily beat list prices on common brands.
Toto toilets
I have had good luck with Toto a little expensive but worth it . I 've used Kohler, a good brand.
I have had good luck with Toto a little expensive but worth it . I 've used Kohler, a good brand.
whirlcool
Well-known member
As Hydralique stated hight is very important. We had to replace the toilets in this house because of that.
When we bought this house we knew that something just wasn't right when we used the toilet. Our last house had slightly taller than normal height. I measured the toilets we had in this house and the height between the floor and toilet rim was only 12 inches! Who were these made for anyway?
We found that the positioning of the internal "plumbing" wasn't quite right with these toilets and we ended up with two American Standard toilets. The height of these are 17" and we feel so much better after using them.
Never knew that about the square back toilets. Glad we didn't get any of those.
When we bought this house we knew that something just wasn't right when we used the toilet. Our last house had slightly taller than normal height. I measured the toilets we had in this house and the height between the floor and toilet rim was only 12 inches! Who were these made for anyway?
We found that the positioning of the internal "plumbing" wasn't quite right with these toilets and we ended up with two American Standard toilets. The height of these are 17" and we feel so much better after using them.
Never knew that about the square back toilets. Glad we didn't get any of those.
Have been using Toto toilets for many years. Very good flush and have been trouble free. Kohler has improved its Wellworth line and now is a good second choice if cost is a factor. American Standard has quality issues and would not recommend this brand.
Kohler is what I bought
I redid my bathroom awhile back and had an awful experience with the brand that went with the sink that I bought. I wanted a victorian look seeing that it goes with my 1897 house. I liked the sink so bought the toliet to match. It had a small opening and would not flush all of the contents away. I took it back to Lowes and they exchanged it and ordered a comfort height Kohler in a period style that I liked. The Kohler gets my vote and if you need parts, which I haven't needed thus far; they are made in Kohler, Wisconsin. Happy flushing. Gary
I redid my bathroom awhile back and had an awful experience with the brand that went with the sink that I bought. I wanted a victorian look seeing that it goes with my 1897 house. I liked the sink so bought the toliet to match. It had a small opening and would not flush all of the contents away. I took it back to Lowes and they exchanged it and ordered a comfort height Kohler in a period style that I liked. The Kohler gets my vote and if you need parts, which I haven't needed thus far; they are made in Kohler, Wisconsin. Happy flushing. Gary
arbilab
Well-known member
This will sound like bragging but at one recent workplace the 'standard' toilets caused my dangly bits to go for a swim. I had to use the 'handicapped' to sit down without a cold surprise. You don't want your soldier swimming in poo water.
They are getting much better at making low-flow toilets work. The last 2 I had (1.6g, 1.28g) worked perfectly. The 1.6 was American Standard and the 1.28 is... I'm not sure, the only "word" on it besides "made in China" is "Seasons". It has the pee flush, very short. If you hold the handle it more than doubles. Which is better for the plumbing when there is a load of paper involved.
What they've done is double the tank orifice area so much more water goes down in the same time as before. And lengthened the siphon so there is more suction. I see no reason to buy 'assisted'.
They are getting much better at making low-flow toilets work. The last 2 I had (1.6g, 1.28g) worked perfectly. The 1.6 was American Standard and the 1.28 is... I'm not sure, the only "word" on it besides "made in China" is "Seasons". It has the pee flush, very short. If you hold the handle it more than doubles. Which is better for the plumbing when there is a load of paper involved.
What they've done is double the tank orifice area so much more water goes down in the same time as before. And lengthened the siphon so there is more suction. I see no reason to buy 'assisted'.
One thing that bugs me about Kohler, American Standard and Toto is their chintzy glazing. On the models I examined, all were unglazed on the underside of the rim. You can feel that is rough by running your finger under the rim. I think that glazing in that area keeps it cleaner, and it is easier to clean.
I was also disappointed about the poor quality of the ceramic molds on one particular model of American Standard (made in Mexico). All of the samples I examined had substantial "flashing" around one of the mounting holes from the tank to the bowl. It caused the rubber washers or seals to not mount evenly. I was afraid that might lead to leaks down the road. I could have ground off the excess ceramic with my Dremel, but why should I? I purchased two; both had the same problem so I returned them.
At Lowe's, they carry a brand called Penguin, which is made in China. It is an inexpensive toilet as compared to the name brands, but I was impressed by the quality. The underside of the rim was glazed, as was the inside of the trap. I purchased one and it has given us good service for a year now.
I was also disappointed about the poor quality of the ceramic molds on one particular model of American Standard (made in Mexico). All of the samples I examined had substantial "flashing" around one of the mounting holes from the tank to the bowl. It caused the rubber washers or seals to not mount evenly. I was afraid that might lead to leaks down the road. I could have ground off the excess ceramic with my Dremel, but why should I? I purchased two; both had the same problem so I returned them.
At Lowe's, they carry a brand called Penguin, which is made in China. It is an inexpensive toilet as compared to the name brands, but I was impressed by the quality. The underside of the rim was glazed, as was the inside of the trap. I purchased one and it has given us good service for a year now.
Square back bowel-not only streaks--but prone to CLOGS as the solid waste hangs up on the square parts-be sure to have your plunger beside these potties.I am hanging onto my "antique" water hog potties.
mrb627
Well-known member
Rough In
One bathroom has a 10" rough in and the other has a 12.
Test drive is a problem. The unit needs to operate and be quiet to boot. So, good luck with that.
I could reuse the existing units, but hate them with a passion.
Will take a closer look at the Kohler line up tomorrow.
Malcolm
One bathroom has a 10" rough in and the other has a 12.
Test drive is a problem. The unit needs to operate and be quiet to boot. So, good luck with that.
I could reuse the existing units, but hate them with a passion.
Will take a closer look at the Kohler line up tomorrow.
Malcolm
I don't
Want anything to do with new fangled toilets! I'm hanging on to my old water hogs too!
Is there a salvage yard near you?
Want anything to do with new fangled toilets! I'm hanging on to my old water hogs too!
Is there a salvage yard near you?
Overhere wall mounted toilets are the latest and greatest. But it requires redoing of the whole bathroom. Much easier to keep the floor around the toilet clean though.
Installed a Cadet 3...
...here in 2008, and have been totally pleased. The flush is powerful and clears the bowl first time, every time. Never have to do a second flush.
This may sound odd, but house company always comments on the flush, the first time they use the fixture.
I normally don't make recommendations, but in this case, I would give the Cadet 3 a thumbs up. Trouble free service these last five years.
Joe
...here in 2008, and have been totally pleased. The flush is powerful and clears the bowl first time, every time. Never have to do a second flush.
This may sound odd, but house company always comments on the flush, the first time they use the fixture.
I normally don't make recommendations, but in this case, I would give the Cadet 3 a thumbs up. Trouble free service these last five years.
Joe
whirlcool
Well-known member
Has anyone ever lived in a high rise? When I lived at McClurg Court in Chicago when you flushed the toilet the waste was gone in an instant in a very loud and noisy large rush of water. Just amazing.
Most high rise and large office commercial buildings the toilets have compressed air assisted flush.A blast of air and water go into the potty when you press the flush lever.Air compressors provide the air for these-or they can run on the air compressors for the buildings pneumatic thermostats.The building I work in has this.
Here is what Consumer Reports says:
American Standard model Champion 4.2002.014---top-rated with score of 85. Super-quiet gravity flush.
Gerber model Avalanche 21-818 with score of 83. Also super-quiet.
I have a Gerber pressure flush which was near the top of the ratings when I bought it 7 years ago. Gravity flush toilets have improved substantially since then, and have surpassed the pressure flush models. Get an elongated bowl version. Very comfortable.
[this post was last edited: 5/12/2013-10:26]
American Standard model Champion 4.2002.014---top-rated with score of 85. Super-quiet gravity flush.
Gerber model Avalanche 21-818 with score of 83. Also super-quiet.
I have a Gerber pressure flush which was near the top of the ratings when I bought it 7 years ago. Gravity flush toilets have improved substantially since then, and have surpassed the pressure flush models. Get an elongated bowl version. Very comfortable.
[this post was last edited: 5/12/2013-10:26]
