I installed a new water saving toliet this weekend

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iheartmaytag

iheartmaytag

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It was a have to situation.

As I had written before I was researching replacing the basement toliet that shows a date of mfg. 6-11-71.  I have been dealing with an off and on leak for quite some time.   The tank appeared to have had a crack that the former owners had epoxied at some point in it's life. 

 

This weekend the bolt had rusted through and just fell out flooding the floor.  So I went to Lowe's with the intent of replacement, but the guy told me you can just purchase a repair kit $2.49.  It had a new tank seal and bolts with seals.  Went home and gave it a try.  Everything was fine, until I went down a few hours later and the floor was wet again.  There was a leak around the epoxied portion where the bolts went through to the bowl. 

 

So I took the tank off again and put a larger rubber seal around the bolt and went to bolt it back on.  I was tightening the tank bolts down and noticed that there was still a wobble so I turned the wrench one more turn and SNAP!!  The whole back of the bowl snapped off.

 

So I went back to Lowe's and bought a new toliet.  I had been doing some shopping before as I stated, and was dead set that I was going to buy something that as not made in China.  So I opt for an American Standard with a 10 flush rating and 1.28 gal per flush.  Lugged it home and as I am unboxing.

 

HERE COMES MY RANT.

 

On the inside box, not the outside mind you, the inside packing it said.  "Made in China and Mexico from USA design."

There should be a law. 

 

The toliet works fine, quiet, cleans the bowl, and since it is connected to an ejector pump I don't worry about the sewer line. I just burns me that you can't even buy a crapper made in America. 
 
Hunter

I will have to look at the model when I get home.  It was a lower priced model $149.  I did bypass the $89 AquaSense at Lowe's because It plainly said on the box "Made in China"

 

Calling back to Lowe's the man said that they are all made in China or Mexico now.
 
"They're all made in China now"

Is something salesmen say when they don't have anything else to sell!

According to the Crane website they still make at least some models in Mansfield, Ohio, and Kohler makes some in Wisconsin, though I'm sure you can find imported versions of both of these.

Also, American Standard loudly proclaims they have Made in USA toilets. Show this to the guy at Lowe's.

 
http://www.toiletology.com/low-flow.shtml

"Before the 1950s, toilets typically used 7 gallons or more for each flush. By the end of the 1960s, toilets were designed to flush with only 5.5 gallons, and in the 1980s the new toilets being installed were using only 3.5 gallons. Today, a new toilet uses no more than 1.6 gallons of water in the U.S. "

http://ask.metafilter.com/115876/Large-bowel-movements-lowflow-toilet-problems

"The city said the push for efficient toilets has helped save 20 million gallons of water per year, but also left what the city euphemistically calls sludge backing up in the sewer system without enough water to flush it down."

http://www.networx.com/article/common-problems-with-low-flow-toilets
 
*GUSH*

Actually, water usage was all over the map in the 1950's. One could purchase a toilet from up to 7 GPF down to 4 GPF. American Standard actually had that variation within its own line. A model 4033 would gobble down 7 GPF, while the 4048 would only use 4 GPF. By the 1960's, most of the common makers of toilets, like American Standard and Kohler, only used 3.6 - 4 GPF, but some 5 GPF units could still be had by other makers.

On an interesting note, it's claimed that quite a few of the old 5 GPF reverse trap toilets can effectively work surprisingly well with significantly lower water levels since very little water was kept in the bowl, as per the original design.
 
I work at Home Depot, and I push the Kohler mainly cuz it's made in Kohler WI..  I tour the plant last year, and they are made right there in WI.  I am very impressed with Kohler..  Most of their facuet are made there as well.   The thing that blew me is how much is done manualy.   Best feedback I get is on the Cimarron line!   I put one in my partner's parent house, and his dad has NOT yet plug this toilet up! 

 

I know American Standard started making the Cadet 3 here in the states, but not sure how much of it is?
 
Being that Kohler is made in WI, my next toilet will be one also.  Cost wise I think they are comparable to the China crap (pun intended).  For the time being however, I'm going to keep my trusty old American Standard toilet as long as possible.

[this post was last edited: 3/29/2011-09:06]
 
Kohler

This bothers me...

www.terrylove.com

Kohler Cimarron toilet review, Owner comments and pictures

Kohler Cimarron I bought and installed a Kohler Cimarron toilet about a month ago. The spec sheet calls for the tank to be 3/4" off the wall with a 12 inch offset. My tank is about 2 1/4" offthe wall with the 12 inch offset. I guess we ill live with it. Walls are plumb so that is not an issue...
www.terrylove.com www.terrylove.com
 
MrB

Not sure what "bothers" you?  

 

I've not had a customer come back saying they were not happy with it.   We outsell this toilet over the A/S Champion, and I had customer come back saying they were not happy with the Champion.

 

My partner's parents has this in their home, and it has worked very well for them, and his dad said he has yet not been able to plug this up!   The old toilet, he said he had to plug it often.
 
Toilets

I had a Mansfield toilet in my bathroom, installed back in 1994 or 1995, when the water savers were first coming out, and I HATED that thing!! The slightest bit would plug it up!

Last year, finally got rid of the Mansfield and installed an Eljer, from Menards. I don't know where it was made, but it is rated "Top Of The Line" as far as plugging it up. It's supposed to have a 3-inch hole in the bottom, where the Mansfield only had a 2-inch hole, I believe.

I think Eljer toilets are pretty good and I've never had a problem with it, thus far. (knock on wood)

Andy
 

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