topic Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET in Home

PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

tends2dogs — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:44:27 GMT

We are replacing the toilet in our guest bathroom. While it is in the guest bathroom, we use it more than the master because it is closer to our daily living.

We went to Lowes and to HomeDepot and I have to say, it was a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of choices and my question is, is there really much difference in makes and models? We want the high profile for sure, but after that, what do we need to look for? There was one that claimed it could flush 7 billiard balls without clogging and another a bucket of golf balls. We don't golf or play pool so I don't think we need those LOL.....

Does anyone have a recommendation of one they are happy with?

TIA

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

Lvqfan — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:48:41 GMT

We replaced 3 toilets this year with Toto toilets......they don't clog! We have one washlette with heated seat in the master and 2 regular toilets in the other two bathrooms. We love them!

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

Nitefall — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:54:11 GMT

Toto toilet is by far the best a little more pricey but worth every penny. We recently purchased a condo and remodeled the entire thing and we too shopped at Lowe's we purchased the Toto and are extremely happy. Not only with it's efficiency but cleaning it is a breeze it's very sleek and easy to clean!

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

qbetzforreal — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:54:41 GMT

My next toilet will be one which is chair high.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

ScrapHappy — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 18:03:50 GMT

We changed out 3 upstairs (bedrooms/bath) toilets with Kohler Memoirs a couple of years ago. We just switched out our powder room toilet with Kohler Valiant. What I like about the ones I now have, is the "sleek" cleaner bottom. There is no "S" shape. Cleaner lines, easier to clean. Got the Kohler Valiant at Home Depot.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

World Traveler — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 18:07:03 GMT

I echo @Lvqfan and @Nitefall sentiments. I am remodeling the master bathroom and I went with the Toto (not yet installed). I had FIVE criteria, and only Toto filled the bill! But it came at a high price!

1. Had to have circular flushing of the water, swirling around the bowl, not straight down.

2. It had to be "skirted," as I didn't want to have to clean around the bolts that connect to the floor. The caps usually come off.

3. It had to be one single, solid piece, not two (tank separate from the bowl).

4. It had to be powerful. Mine has a powerful centrifugal rinse, has a high efficiency "Tornado Flush system," and is also antimicrobial.

5. Had to come in a cream/bone/almond, etc. color, not white.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

Q4u — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 18:05:22 GMT

Oh get unclogging toilets!! We moved into a brand new house ten years ago and the master bathroom clogged almost every time it was used! To replace a brand new toilet just made us angry but as it turned out it was actually the plumbing that made flushing difficult. Two years ago we moved into the house we are in now (70 years old) and we replaced both toilets and they (American Standard) have turned out to be the best we've ever had!! So I believe it's a combo of the actual toilet and how good the plumbing was handled (and/or repaired, etc.) The worst ones were years and years ago and had that little button on the top! Awful.....

Good luck!

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

queendiva — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 18:17:44 GMT

Another vote for Toto.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

gidgetgh — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:17:31 GMT

I'll be honest. We replaced 2 of our toilets in June. One is a Toto and one is a Kohler Cimarron (which we also have in our master bathroom).

I have had nothing but trouble with the Toto. I have had to have the plumber out 3 times in the last 2 months to remove it, run the snake, do the whole camera thing. And, not to be too personal, no way am I clogging this toilet. It's in our downstairs bathroom and just isn't used for....for... bigger visits.

Finally last time, the plumber replaced the studer vents in the house, saying they were stuck. Now personally, I've never even heard of a studer vent and have never replaced one in any house I've ever lived in. I haven't had trouble since so I don't know if they finally just got things cleared out or it really was the studer vents causing the issue. Thing is, when they ran the snake and the camera, they never could see the issue.

The owner came last time and told me that with the dual flush toilets if you use it on lighter flush, it sometimes doesn't have enough oomph to push the toilet paper all the way through its journey. So he advises everyone to use the heavier flush. Kind of defeats the purpose of the dual flush.

So, even though things seem to be going well now, I'm skittish any time I flush ANY toilet in this house.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

kitcat51 — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:11:14 GMT

I replaced 3 toilets & purchased Toto from a local plumbing store...I wasn't sure what to buy & they explained the different brand features, recommended the taller height & gave a generous discount. I'm so pleased with them, 1 flush & no clogs.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

MalteseMomma — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:20:41 GMT

Interesting info...................... thanks

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

2Kittys — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:40:48 GMT

Get a chair high, elongated one. Everything else is your choice. Mine is elongated, but I have a booster type lift under the seat. It sure saves on the knees!

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

gabstoomuch — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:02:31 GMT

Happy to see this thread. I am getting ready to gut my bathroom and need a new toilet. Not "need" but mine has been in this house since my kids were little, and they are all in their 30's, so it is old and not flushing well any more.

What is dual flush?

I love the one with the skirted bottom but 872.00 is way too much for me. I have not gone to Lowes yet but I figured I would have to figure out toilets since they have come so far in "toilet technology".

This is helpful.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

gidgetgh — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:05:47 GMT

@gabstoomuch wrote:
Happy to see this thread. I am getting ready to gut my bathroom and need a new toilet. Not "need" but mine has been in this house since my kids were little, and they are all in their 30's, so it is old and not flushing well any more.

What is dual flush?

I love the one with the skirted bottom but 872.00 is way too much for me. I have not gone to Lowes yet but I figured I would have to figure out toilets since they have come so far in "toilet technology".

This is helpful.

@gabstoomuchdual flush. You push the handle in one direction for lighter jobs and the other direction when you need that. It's not a handle you push down like the toilets we all know. these you can flush two ways.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

RedTop — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:20:28 GMT

The only feature I really look for is the height.

We immediately had issues with our water saver toilet, as it would not do a complete flush unless you kept your hand on the flush handle to allow more water in for that flush cycle. It was only flushing into the drain line; not using enough water to push contents into the septic tank.

We have a Koehler and an American Standard.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

gidgetgh — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:49:41 GMT

@gabstoomuch

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

granddi — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:55:21 GMT

We replaced with a Kohler chair height.

When plumbler left he said "be sure and hold down the level until all the water is out of the bowl" He said the pipes needs more water than the new toilets give on a flush.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

red&curly — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:16:09 GMT

We replaced with chair height low/high flow buttons on top

American Standard @ Lowes.Love them.No issues.In my budget at $200.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

tends2dogs — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:24:02 GMT

@gabstoomuch Both Lowes and HomeDepot had the skirted style toilets and they weren't $872. At first when I saw them, I could see the cleaning advantage to them, but they look a bit institutional to me. That is just me.

I am happy to get so much feedback.

Re: PURCHASING A NEW TOILET

ciao_bella — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 23:06:50 GMT

About a year ago, we replaced three toilets that were original to the house, which was over 20 years ago. They were always clogging and the flush always seemed insufficient.

My nephew has his own home improvement business and suggested the American Standard Champion toilet which we purchased and so glad we did. No clogs and a powerful flush. Here is the info on it:

The Champion® 4 Flushing System has the largest siphonic trapway (2-3/8" diameter) and the largest flush valve (4" diameter) is virtually clog-free, so you'll never have to plunge again. It's packed with innovative features that make it ideal for busy and/or large households.