Let's have some Potty talk

[iheartmaytag]

No, this doesn't belong on the Dirty Laundry closed threads.

Tuesday night I noticed water on the floor around the toliet. Being 2 A.M. I threw down a towel and went back to bed. Last night I checked out what was going on and it appears to be leakin where the tank sits on the bowl. Unfortunately it looks like this was a problem before and the previous homeowners had it epoxied and "got by". I am thinking that to actually fix the problem I should replace the toliet.

This is a basement toliet that empties to the ejector pump. Because of this I want to go low usage as the pump is going to send it on down the sewer anyway.

My question is: Are all toliets the same? Are they of different sizes or do I just pick one and bring it home? Are there measurments I shoud take before shopping? Should the tank rest away from the wall or up against it? (Currently it's about 1 inch away from the wall. and lastly Is this a DIY job. I'm not very smart, but can work pliers and a hammer.

 

[yogitunes]

a simple fix would be to take the tank off and replace the seal and screws...you can leave the bowl in place...while your at it replace the flushing mechanism....and even the water inlet.....most likely under $20.00.....

but a while toilet relacement is not that hard....you can get the whole kit inexpensively...step by step instructions included....most all fit the same space....only major measurement is from the center of the floor drain to the rear wall.....

either one can be done in less than 30 minutes

 

[iheartmaytag]

I should have mentioned

The reason I feel it should be replaced is it's been epoxied where the bolts holes had been broken out of the bowl. It appears they did a get by because they didn't use this bathroom very much.

It happens to be my main bath, because it's in the Laundry room. ;-)

 

[mattl]

No, unfortunately all toilets are not the same. Physically they are standardized, they all use the same toilet flange mounting if they are floor mount. However their functioning varies widely. Some plug almost instantly or don't flush completely among other issues. There are a great number of sites devoted to reviewing toilets, TOTO has one of the best reputations. A little pricey, but worth it.

When I redid one of my baths I ordered a Toto and I must say I'm very happy with it. Just got the basic standard flush elongated bowl. As a builder I got a plumber friend to pick it up for me from the supply house, but they can be ordered online for $250 or so.

If you are just looking for something to pick up at Home Depot or Lowes, look for the biggest trap, at Home Depot they are rated on the signage, so that helps, and just do a quick google search on the model you are considering. Terry Love Plumbing site has lots of good info...

Love Plumbing &

Save time and money with tips from expert plumber Terry Love, of Love Plumbing and Remodel. Read Terry Love's consumer report on toilets. Tour the Gates mansion bathrooms. Get information from the kitchen page and the bathroom page. Post a question on the free advice board. Learn about water...

www.terrylove.com

 

[westie2]

If it is a 2 piece toliet with the tank attached to the base it is an easy fix. Cut the water off drain the tank and you will see 2 screw heads and on the bottom side of the tank/base you will have the two nuts. These are hopefully brass so they are not corrded.
remove the water su0ply and the the bolts. Remove the tank by lifting off and you will find the washer that is between the tank and base. Go to nearest hardware store and take the part with you. They can get you the right sise and also the adhesive to go with it (if needed. Also get new bols and nuts to attach. Also a good time to replace the flush valve (tank to base. This will be less than $30.00. You have a much better toliet in house that anything new. Here is a link on steps of what to do. It is what they are calling the cone shaped gasket that needs replacing. Even though they said it is difficult it reall isn't. Just don't over tighten the nuts on the bolts as it will crack the base

How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the expert in you. | ehow.com

Learn how to do just about everything at ehow. Find expert advice along with How To videos and articles, including instructions on how to make, cook, grow, or do almost anything.

www.ehow.com

 

[mattl]

Oh, I'll also note I've been switching for the standard wax bowl ring to the little more expensive rubber gasket style.

Check out the Fluuidmaster site' sorry flash psges so I can't link directly it's the 7500 model, wax free. If you go to:

Products --- Toilet repair--- Toilet installation ---- look at the lower right for the 7500

http://www.fluidmaster.com/index.asp?bhcp=1

 

[mattl]

Hey, guys ---- He said someone epoxied the tank to the base, no real options there to separate...

 

[lotsosudz]

Home Depot sells a Kohler toilet called the Cimmarron. It is a very good toilet. Although it is a low water usage toilet, it takes down everything down in a single flush. We just had both of our 45 year old toilets replaced with these, with elongated bowls, and comfort height, what a difference. There are a lot of toilets that are supposed water savers, but if you have to flush twice, you are not saving much. That's my two cents to throw in the pot. LOL
Hugs
David

 

[rp2813]

It sounds like the whole toilet does need to be replaced. If you can do it, go with an elongated bowl. The men in the house will appreciate it.

We found an American Standard one-piece with elongated bowl that didn't take up any more space than a rounded bowl type. That was at HD, and it was about 15 years ago, but they might still be on the market. If you have the room, a standard elongated model will go right in too.

I haven't used any low flow toilets that can actually manage to clear the bowl completely with one flush, but considering your situation, I can see how you'd want a low flow model.

Provided there are no surprises at the flange, changing out a toilet really isn't that difficult.

 

[austinado16]

When we did the house restoration, we grabbed a couple of $89 Toto's from the hardware store, just to get signed off by the City, and then we'd go for fancier toilets later on.

17 years later, we still have one of them in our Master Bath, and it's still THE best. We replaced the Toto in the Guest Bath with a $300 American Standard that was low flow (like the Toto's) and vintage looking. It's been the biggest disappointment. It's very easy to plug and that happens fairly often. The Toto's on the other hand would never get plugged. All the house plumbing is brand new and modern, so this plugging issue is simply due to the poor design/flush action of the American Standard.

So if you go buy a new toilet, look at the flush ratings on the boxes. I think they still rate them by how many ping-pong balls they'll flush, as that equates to superior suction action out of the bowl.

 

[nurdlinger]

Kohler Cimmarron

I got one of these, and a Toto ?? (can't recall, not a Drake) about five years ago. After a lot of research at the time, the conclusion I came to was that the greatest factor for success was the size of the internal water passage between the tank and bowl. Both those I got had 3" diameter or greater, and both work fine. The reason I didn't get two Totos was that the Cimarron cost about half what the Toto did. I got the Cimarron from Lowe's or Home Depot, while the Toto came from a more upscale supplier. The biggest difference is that the Toto refills the tank a lot quicker. I have heard that some aftermarket flush valve would do the same for the Cimarron, but never followed up.

BTW, elongated bowl and ADA height are a great thing, IMHO.

 

[qsd-dan]

I vote for a vintage 5 gallon toilet in pink/blue/yellow/harvest gold/avocado green/or boring white. Guaranteed to flush everything down with ease the first time without having to hold the handle down or multiple flushes. Most of the time they can be found for free.

 

[rp2813]

Dan, I hope to go vintage when the time comes to re-work the future master bath here. An elongated silent one piece lo-boy would be ideal, although I know finding the right silent valve can be a challenge, and that's likely why that type of toilet is found in salvage yards a lot.

Unless it's absolutely necessary or otherwise can't be avoided, I would never go with a modern low-flow toilet. On the low-flow American Standard I mentioned above, I had to retrofit it with a new flapper so it would provide a complete flush, and that fix worked amazingly well.

I agree about the opening between tank and bowl (as well as all the holes under the bowl rim) being key. The less water flowing from the tank to the bowl, the more sluggish and impaired the flushing action will be.

 

[~sudsshane]

Porcher Toilets.

No, not all toilets are the same.

A few years back, during our house remodel, my partner decided to buy a $800.00, yes, $800.00 toilet for our master bath. I thought it was a bit ridiculous to spend that kind of money on a toilet, still do..!

Flash forward, 3 years, and our toilet seat breaks. I figured no problem, a standard toilet seat would fit just fine.
NOPE!- the replacement toilet seat was $120.00, and it had to be a Porcher toilet seat. I called Porcher, and I am told that specific model toilet was discontinued last year and they didn't stock the toilet seats anymore.

So, now I have this expensive toilet, with no toilet seat. Porcher is trying to get more in stock, but are making no guarantees. Hopefully I will luck out and find one somewhere.

My bad for agreeing to this purchase!

 

[mattl]

I've been pretty happy with the Toto, but did run into an issue. I was out of trash bags upstairs and had a basket full of tissues. I split the basket full between the Toto and the other upstairs toilet an American Standard form '65, 3 1/2 gal. flush I'd guess,( maybe 5 but I doubt it). when I did this in the past I let the tissues sit for a while to absorb water and go down easily.

The American standard swirls the water when it flushes and it took the tissues in a single flush. The Toto does not swirl the water and I was surprised to see it plugged up. I did not expect that. A little plunger action solved the issue, but I will not repeat it again.