OK, reading online reviews of new toilets is not helping me. So I'm going to ask the experts at TN...
I'm shopping for new low-flow, "comfort-height" toilets to replace our 1954 era "squatters" (the 13" high seats are not helping my bum knee!)
So much to think about: trapway size, flush valve size, "rinsing" ability, round or elongated (all my male friends suggest elongated...hmmm...), etc, etc...
I'm tempted to go for anything that can flush a thousand golf balls and a dead cat simultaneously. I want it to be low-flow, but I don't want that to mean: "keep a toilet brush handy, 'cause you're gonna need it!"
I've read older reviews that suggest the American Standard "Champion" has had problems in the past. (Plus, I think it's ugly...) Anyone have recent experience with new toilets? Kohler? American Standard? Other brands?
Here's what I want: comfortable height, flushes everything on the first try, no clogging, reliable. (The current 60 year old toilets have not needed any servicing except replacing the rubber flappers. I'd keep them except they waste water and hurt my knees...)
Oh yeah...and is there any difference in quality when you buy a toilet from Home Depot vs a plumbing store. (The price sure is different!)
I've always found that the higher the tank the better your "load" ushering velocity. I put in two new valves last year fro Lowe's (I forget the brand, but I think this is it http://korky.com/WaterWI$E528Z.html) .
The most water waste is caused when the valve is open during tank refill. Several companies have new valves that don't start fill until the tank has flushed. They cost a little more but makes it easy to turn any standard toilet into a low-flow model. Suckers are quieter than the standard valves too.
Quote from: PonderInc on April 06, 2010, 03:28:17 PM
OK, reading online reviews of new toilets is not helping me. So I'm going to ask the experts at TN...
I'm shopping for new low-flow, "comfort-height" toilets to replace our 1954 era "squatters" (the 13" high seats are not helping my bum knee!)
So much to think about: trapway size, flush valve size, "rinsing" ability, round or elongated (all my male friends suggest elongated...hmmm...), etc, etc...
I'm tempted to go for anything that can flush a thousand golf balls and a dead cat simultaneously. I want it to be low-flow, but I don't want that to mean: "keep a toilet brush handy, 'cause you're gonna need it!"
I've read older reviews that suggest the American Standard "Champion" has had problems in the past. (Plus, I think it's ugly...) Anyone have recent experience with new toilets? Kohler? American Standard? Other brands?
Here's what I want: comfortable height, flushes everything on the first try, no clogging, reliable. (The current 60 year old toilets have not needed any servicing except replacing the rubber flappers. I'd keep them except they waste water and hurt my knees...)
Oh yeah...and is there any difference in quality when you buy a toilet from Home Depot vs a plumbing store. (The price sure is different!)
Try shopping "Toto" brand.. Pricey but very stylish and functional.
Quote from: PonderInc on April 06, 2010, 03:28:17 PM
"comfort-height" toilets to replace our 1954 era "squatters" (the 13" high seats are not helping my bum knee!)
13" is a real low sitter. I measured our 1967 seats at 16". My sympathy to your knees. Maybe whoever had your house built was significantly height challenged.
Just put in American Standard Cadet3 Flo-Wise WaterSense elongated from Lowe's about 4 months ago. Item 107782.
Has been very good. 16" high.
I've got a pair of 1955 Eljers. They work fine, still look new and I don't think they significantly affect my water bill. The idea of flushing a bucket of driving range balls though is intriguing to me.
Quote from: Conan71 on April 06, 2010, 11:48:36 PM
The idea of flushing a bucket of driving range balls though is intriguing to me.
Getting them through the toilet is one thing. Getting them all the way to the main sewer may be another.
Good Luck!
Forgive me, I just had to do this.....
http://www.poopreport.com/node/634/print (http://www.poopreport.com/node/634/print)
Quote from: Red Arrow on April 06, 2010, 11:51:47 PM
Getting them through the toilet is one thing. Getting them all the way to the main sewer may be another.
Good Luck!
Can you imagine the look on the Roto-Rooter man's face when he pulls a handful of golf ball skins and rubber band looking debris from the clean-out?
Quote from: Conan71 on April 06, 2010, 11:55:28 PM
Can you imagine the look on the Roto-Rooter man's face when he pulls a handful of golf ball skins and rubber band looking debris from the clean-out?
I expect they've seen it all.
You know, some things are best left unimagined. Especially the finds of a plumber.
I only flush mine about 1 time out of every 4 uses.......
Quote from: Breadburner on April 07, 2010, 09:27:58 AM
I only flush mine about 1 time out of every 4 uses.......
As I recall from water rationing days:
"Flush only if it's brown"
Quote from: Conan71 on April 07, 2010, 09:31:14 AM
As I recall from water rationing days:
"Flush only if it's brown"
ewwwww
Quote from: Conan71 on April 07, 2010, 09:31:14 AM
As I recall from water rationing days:
"Flush only if it's brown"
We digress...
But the quote I remember from the 70's was:
"If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
Since our cat drinks exclusively out of the toilet (no interest in fresh water from any other type of bowl), we can no longer let it mellow. Probably for the best...
Quote from: PonderInc on April 07, 2010, 10:49:54 AM
We digress...
But the quote I remember from the 70's was:
"If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
Since our cat drinks exclusively out of the toilet (no interest in fresh water from any other type of bowl), we can no longer let it mellow. Probably for the best...
And for years I always thought of cats as being more refined than dogs.
No, just sneakier.
Quote from: PonderInc on April 07, 2010, 10:49:54 AM
We digress...
But the quote I remember from the 70's was:
"If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
Since our cat drinks exclusively out of the toilet (no interest in fresh water from any other type of bowl), we can no longer let it mellow. Probably for the best...
Please, please tell me that's not where they got the name for the soft drink Mello Yello....I don't drink it now, but have in the past. Terrible. :o
Quote from: Rico on April 06, 2010, 04:18:06 PM
Try shopping "Toto" brand.. Pricey but very stylish and functional.
Second on Toto. I found reasonable prices and free shipping with Google Shopping.
MG
Quote from: Breadburner on April 07, 2010, 09:27:58 AM
I only flush mine about 1 time out of every 4 uses.......
Does your house smell like an public restroom?
Be green. Wait until it's full. . . and somewhat green! :P
Quote from: Gaspar on April 08, 2010, 09:02:30 AM
Be green. Wait until it's full. . . and somewhat green! :P
Use one of those tank or bowl things that keeps the water blue. Instant green when the toilet is used. Flush as required.
Quote from: Red Arrow on April 07, 2010, 11:26:10 PM
Does your house smell like an public restroom?
Nope....Not even close.....Now if I pissed all over the floor it might.....
Can't go wrong with a TOTO
I heard it said that you can go to Canada and buy good old fashioned toilets, but that was about 10 years ago, I dunno if you still can do that, or if Canada went low flush too. I believe customs did not permit Canada toilets to enter the USA but people got them in here anyway. Sometimes you can find a old toilets from old homes that are being demolished. In 3 years the light bulbs as we know them will be baned and all you can buy are the curly bulbs.
I cut my power consumption by almost half using the new curly bulbs. . . And now that they offer light temperatures that are comparable to incandescent, I love em.
Who cares if the mercury content is detrimental to the environment, I'm saving almost $80 a month on electricity. My wife figured out how to get them for free using Sylvania coupons and price-matching them at Walmart or Target. We have enough in our garage to last a hundred years and cause a major HAZMAT incident if they fall off the rack.
Quote from: Gaspar on April 12, 2010, 02:08:38 PM
I cut my power consumption by almost half using the new curly bulbs. . . And now that they offer light temperatures that are comparable to incandescent, I love em.
Who cares if the mercury content is detrimental to the environment, I'm saving almost $80 a month on electricity. My wife figured out how to get them for free using Sylvania coupons and price-matching them at Walmart or Target. We have enough in our garage to last a hundred years and cause a major HAZMAT incident if they fall off the rack.
I love 'em for that (energy savings) but also because I don't have to change them every 4 weeks as it seemed I was doing at the old house. I haven't had one go out now that I have switched almost all my bulbs to the CFL bulbs. Only ones I haven't switched are my ceiling fans which have dimmers. Granted last I checked (a while back) they didn't have bulbs that dimmed. Guess I need to check again.
Quote from: sauerkraut on April 12, 2010, 10:23:57 AM
I heard it said that you can go to Canada and buy good old fashioned toilets, but that was about 10 years ago, I dunno if you still can do that, or if Canada went low flush too. I believe customs did not permit Canada toilets to enter the USA but people got them in here anyway. Sometimes you can find a old toilets from old homes that are being demolished. In 3 years the light bulbs as we know them will be baned and all you can buy are the curly bulbs.
Sounds like a Seinfeld episode.
Quote from: Conan71 on April 12, 2010, 02:19:56 PM
Sounds like a Seinfeld episode.
We'll probably find out tomorrow...about 8 to 8:30 AM (as long as there's an open seat for him).
Quote from: Hoss on April 12, 2010, 02:22:37 PM
We'll probably find out tomorrow...about 8 to 8:30 AM (as long as there's an open seat for him).
Nicely done pun!
Quote from: Gaspar on April 12, 2010, 02:08:38 PM
Who cares if the mercury content is detrimental to the environment, ... We have enough in our garage to last a hundred years and cause a major HAZMAT incident if they fall off the rack.
From one of our websites...
http://www.mercuryfreetulsa.com/
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 12, 2010, 02:44:58 PM
From one of our websites...
http://www.mercuryfreetulsa.com/
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