Tired of plungering

[Cybrvanr]

Okay, I'm sick of this stupid builder-grade toilet that the previous owners installed in this house! It was one of the first generation 1.6 gallon toilets. One square of TP, and this thing is clogged! It's time to replace it with something that works!

I've been doing some research on which one to get. I've heard all sorts of people say what the best one to use. It's come down to American Standard's Cadet, and Toto from what I've heard. Do any of you have any experience with the "Flushmate" pressure assist units? They are used in the American Standard ones.

I'm looking for one that will perform as good as the old 7 gallon toilets like the houses around here were originally built with!...one I don't need to keep a plunger beside!!! Any recommendations?

 

[toggleswitch]

Aren't the pressure assisted ones REALLY loud?

I have had two TOTO's, (funny in Spanish) one in this place and one in the prior. It is decent and basic, never thought it to be "the best".

 

[launderess]

Do what many other people do; look around for an older home that is being demolished/refurbed and nab the toilet. Or, search out used plumbing/junk yards for one.

Had no idea there was such a lively trade in "older" commodes, until read about it in the NYT. Apparently you are not alone in your detesting "newer" toilets, and many people simply wait until their new home has passed final inspections to swap out current code required commode for an older unit.

L.

 

[hoover1060]

Kohler...

I just last fall replaced a 30+ year old toilet with a Kohler, I wish I could remember the model, but I got it at Home Depot and it was about $150 or so.
No problems, one flush emptys it, and it does not clog.
I had people tell me I'd wish I had the other one back, but so far that has not been the case.

 

[luxflairguy]

For my money and my house, I used the American Standard Cedets--2 of them--but with one variation. I went with the new ADA (American Disabilities Act) height. They are 4 inches taller than older toilets and so much easier on the knees! Work great and wish our Seattle home had them! Have a Toto in Seattle and it won't flush anything unless you do it twice.
I was on TV the otherday that there are now low flushers out that have 2 buttons 1 for #1, and 2, for #2. The later runs the water longer for a better flush!
But the ADA height is for me and they are available in all styles and flushes!
Greg in Seattle

 

[pumper]

the last two cheapo toilets i bought from home depot worked fine. get one that has the hole at the bottom of the bowl to push everything down and not just the swirl type

 

[petek]

You could always take a drive up here to Canada and get a real toilet

 

[knitwits1975]

Yeah a lot of people around here sneak up to BC to buy a commode.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: My House:

Still has the original Toilet in it. The house was built between 1953 and 1954 and my Parent's were the 2nd Owner's of the house in 1957, when I was 7-years old. It does once in a while get Stopped-Up, but I believe that it is more from the Tree Roots in my Front Yard, which is where the Sewer Line goes out to the Street Lines. It is an American Standard Brand. It has had the Insides replaced more times than none through the years however.

Good Luck with your purchase decision, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[brettsomers]

Antique

this is an extensive site, dealing with reproductions and originals. the variety is amazing!

DEA Bathroom Machineries – Bathroom Machineries is a One – Stop Source for All of Your Vintage Plumbing, Lighting & Hardware Needs.

www.deabath.com

 

[polkanut]

Steve, I can do one better. My home was originally built in 1925, and the indoor plumbing was installed in approx. 1935. The original tub, and toilet are both in the house. I did have to put new guts in the toilet though. To save water, I put a brick in the tank and it does help. I wouldn't trade it for a 1.6 gallon POS at all.

 

[toggleswitch]

I love it~~~

we have to go to Cananda to get a commode or a top-loader that actually works.

(But on paper we are saving water. How nice).

Hey Petie, are your posted speed-limits WAY below what people actually drive as well?

 

[bpetersxx]

have a Briggs 1.6 gallon toilet with a sloan tank flush tank

It sounds like a freight train taking off or a toilet in schools and shopping center restrooms

House I live in I think was built in 1893 Mom and I used to fight about that

Had a clawfoot bathtub and might have had a wall hung toilet

 

[kenmore58]

Actually, this is the next project for me on the list!! My house was built in 1986 and contains one of those "water saver" toilets. Yeah, right! Sometimes it takes three flushes to clear the bowl.

Any advice would be helpful.

Ron

 

[bpetersxx]

forgot to add to my original post

The briggs toilet clogs up about half the time so I prolly will be getting 2 new toilets since the half bathroom needs a new one as well

 

[retromom]

I don't get it!

What kind of savings are we really getting when we have to flush our "water saver" toilets two or three times just to get the *&$# out of the bowl!!!

Our next replacement will either be pressure assisted, or a d&@# latrine!!!

 

[bpetersxx]

looking at american standard toilets website and the toilets look so regal makes u feel so kingly

feel free to add the next line

 

[toggleswitch]

HA HA HA HA.

It's just TOO easy

-QC

 

[Designgeek]

Some years ago when the old toilet died (a roto rooter operator made a booboo outside and the claw came up through the trap and cracked the porcelain), property management came in and installed a Gerber 1.6 gallon unit. I've never heard of Gerber before, aside from baby foods, and clearly they were not related.

The first time I used it, I thought, "oh boy, here we go, flush twice to make the poo go down..."

However, it worked like a charm. No problems. One of the few 1.6 gallon toilets I've seen that works perfectly almost every time.

OK, one can overload it with toilet paper, and then it's time to reach for the plunger. But one can overload any toilet with enough paper.

I've also discovered that I can hold down the flush handle half way for just long enough to get a 1/2 gallon flush for #1, which also works perfectly.

If you're looking to buy a water-conserving loo, what you should look for is one where the water path is as straight through as possible, and where the water flow takes as much advantage as possible of gravity and inertia. What you'll see (if they have them hooked up in the plumbing fixtures store) is that the water seems to go through the toilet *quickly.*

The ones that just swirl around before the contents siphon out, are more prone to clogs and more prone to "incomplete flushes." The ones that have a pressurized (air-pressure assisted) tank make a truly obnoxious WHOOSH! sound that will wake up the person sleeping in the next room if they're not a heavy sleeper.

If in doubt, buy from a place that has them hooked up for you to try. Grab a few handfulls of TP, wad 'em up as you do "in real life," let 'em sit in the water until they sink below the water line, and then flush and see what happens.

BTW, the toilet industry uses miso, formed into pieces of "appropriate size and shape" (i.e. simulated poo) for testing. You could try that at the plumbing supply stores if they have working display models, but it might get you some funny looks.