Home Repair forum - Replacement Toilet

Author

Replacement Toilet

WConner

2006-02-04, 11:21 pm

I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now, some
do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
appreciated.

Thanks,

Walt Conner

A.D.C.

2006-02-04, 11:21 pm

American Standard Champion. The One Flush Wonder!
"WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:%PdFf.2611$H43.2211@trnddc08...
>I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
>out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now,
>some do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
>appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner
>

James \Cubby\ Culbertson

2006-02-05, 12:21 am

"WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:%PdFf.2611$H43.2211@trnddc08...
>I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
>out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now,
>some do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
>appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner
>

I highly recommend the Toto brand of toilets. I've installed two and
before I had to have plungers nearby. Now, I haven't used the plunger once
in 8 months. I cannot find the research paper that I read (online, got the
link from this group) but the Toto's clearly outperformed all others.
Cheers,
cc

Special Ed

2006-02-05, 12:21 am

badgolferman

2006-02-05, 12:21 am

WConner, 2/4/2006,9:56:59 PM, wrote:

> I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet
> because of out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water
> saver type now, some do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any
> advice on make and model appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner

If I ever get a replacement toilet it will be the elongated ones.

--
"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." ~ Alexander Hamilton

andynewhouse@yahoo.com

2006-02-05, 1:21 am

>I understand all toilets are the water saver type now, some do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model appreciated.

Check out Consumers Reports at your local library - they test a bunch
of models. Last test was August of 2005. I was looking myself
recently, and standouts were the Elger Titan ($350), Gerber Ultra Flush
21-312 ($275), and Eljer Aqua-Saver 091-7025 (CR Best Buy, $200).
Don't know about the price mentioned above - cheapest list price in
their test was $160. Hope this helps.
Good luck,
Andy

zxcvbob

2006-02-05, 1:21 am

WConner wrote:
> I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
> out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now, some
> do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner
>
>

Just make sure you get one with a fully-glazed trap (2" or larger, IIRC)
and it should do a good job for you. The "Glacier Bay" one-piece toilet
I bought at Home Depot last year has done a great job. Much better than
the old 7-gallon-flusher it replaced. I got the one-piece kind because
it's easier to clean.

Bob

Dick

2006-02-05, 1:21 am

On Sat, 4 Feb 2006 20:17:04 -0700, "James \"Cubby\" Culbertson"
<Nospam@null.invalid> wrote:

>
>"WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:%PdFf.2611$H43.2211@trnddc08...
>
>I highly recommend the Toto brand of toilets. I've installed two and
>before I had to have plungers nearby. Now, I haven't used the plunger once
>in 8 months. I cannot find the research paper that I read (online, got the
>link from this group) but the Toto's clearly outperformed all others.
>Cheers,
>cc
>

Here's one link that covers the best of the breed.
http://www.terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm

The MAP report (PDF file) listed with the first Toto is a great
engineering analysis of toilet performance. For some reason it can't
be downloaded right now.

Oh, we have 3 Toto's. Wouldn't have any other brand. American
Standards are OK, but noisy. The Toto's are quiet. In the year since
they were installed, not once was a second flush required on any of
them. It is amazing to watch how they flush.

Dick

EagleMtn

2006-02-05, 1:21 am

American Standard. I just replaced my old three gallon flusher myself.
First timer, simple as can be and flushes great.

RWS

2006-02-05, 1:21 am

James \Cubby\ Culbertson

2006-02-05, 5:21 am

"RWS" <rschus@aracnet.com> wrote in message
news:43e5822f.31085134@NEWS.ARACNET.COM...
> On Sat, 4 Feb 2006 20:17:04 -0700, "James \"Cubby\" Culbertson"

>
> Is this the link?
> http://www.ci.mesa.az.us/utilities/...let_ratings.pdf
>
> I just put in three Totos Drake models in time for the Christmas
> rush. Happy with them so far.
>
> Bob S

Unfortunately that's not the link I was thinking of. The research I
remember seeing tested about a 100 different toilets/brands
and gave the data behind them. Either way, the data still supported the
Toto as being most efficient/effective.
Cheers,
cc

2006-02-05, 5:21 am

TOTO

"WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:%PdFf.2611$H43.2211@trnddc08...
>I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
>out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now,
>some do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
>appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner
>

Bob

2006-02-05, 10:21 am

When low flush toilets first came out, they had problems, and they'd have to
be flushed several times, which defeated the purpose of saving water. A
plumber I know used to drive to Canada, and come back with a truck load of
the old style. Last year I asked him if he still drove up there, and he said
he no longer has to, because the newer low flush toilets don't have a
problem.

"WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:%PdFf.2611$H43.2211@trnddc08...
> I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
> out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now,
some
> do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner
>
>

hallerb@aol.com

2006-02-05, 10:21 am

I am going to go against the majority, my next toilet will be from
canada, although I was recently told congress changed the law and
stores are permitted to sell 3 gallong flushers again here. seems they
finally realized that 2 low flow flushes used more water than a single
3 gallon one.

Dont get me wrong but I am tired of mucking with my toilet. some
peoples solid output is larger in diameter and harder than average
causing frequenbt plunging.

plus I DONT want noise, having a plunger sit by the toilet, overflows,
and all the other junk.

you can buy 3 gallon flushers on e bay, from canada. shipping is
costly. but so is replacing my kitchen cieling, ruined from years of
overflows

WConner

2006-02-05, 10:21 am

>plus I DON'T want noise, having a plunger sit by the toilet, overflows,
>and all the other junk.

Sure agree with that. Thanks to all who replied. I am not familiar with the
Toto brand, where are those sold and aprox. cost, please.

Walt Conner

2006-02-05, 11:21 am

I buy them from a local plumbing supply house. The low end TOTO is $135.00 I
usually by the Drake models for $$200.00

Craig

www.vintagetrailersforsale.com

"WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:FDnFf.10443$%i3.4204@trnddc02...
>
> Sure agree with that. Thanks to all who replied. I am not familiar with
> the Toto brand, where are those sold and aprox. cost, please.
>
> Walt Conner
>

Dick

2006-02-05, 11:21 am

On 5 Feb 2006 05:52:19 -0800, "hallerb@aol.com" <hallerb@aol.com>
wrote:

>I am going to go against the majority, my next toilet will be from
>canada, although I was recently told congress changed the law and
>stores are permitted to sell 3 gallong flushers again here. seems they
>finally realized that 2 low flow flushes used more water than a single
>3 gallon one.
>
>Dont get me wrong but I am tired of mucking with my toilet. some
>peoples solid output is larger in diameter and harder than average
>causing frequenbt plunging.
>
>plus I DONT want noise, having a plunger sit by the toilet, overflows,
>and all the other junk.
>
>you can buy 3 gallon flushers on e bay, from canada. shipping is
>costly. but so is replacing my kitchen cieling, ruined from years of
>overflows

Then you are the perfect candidate for a Toto. In order to meet
Federal standards for toilets, they have to flush 250 grams of
"stuff". The best Toto's can flush 900 grams! You won't find any
3-gallon toilets that will flush that well. The toilets we took out
were very expensive (around $700 each) one-piece, 3-gallon Kohlers.
They couldn't begin to flush what these Toto's can handle.

Dick

2006-02-05, 12:21 pm

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 14:06:29 GMT, "WConner" <wconner5@verizon.net>
wrote:

>
>Sure agree with that. Thanks to all who replied. I am not familiar with the
>Toto brand, where are those sold and aprox. cost, please.
>
>Walt Conner
>

Interestingly, I had never heard of the brand until a local plumber
said that was the best. It turns out that Toto is the world's largest
manufacturer of toilets. Most of us haven't heard of them because
they don't sell in stores like Home Depot. You have to go to a
plumbing supply house or a plumber. Toto's website is here:
http://www.totousa.com/index.asp

The best place to buy them I could find was here:
http://www.homeclick.com/showpage.asp?itemid=5538 This is the toilet
we put in. You don't have to spend that much if you go with a
two-piece. Shipping is free over $199. They truck them right to your
house. However, the truck driver may or may not help you get it off
the truck. In our case, he did.

Jim Redelfs

2006-02-05, 12:21 pm

In article <xn0ei3e4436fvmv001@news.readfreenews.net>,
"badgolferman" <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:

> If I ever get a replacement toilet it will be the elongated ones.

That's an EXCELLENT choice!

When our home was built, I insisted on "elongated bowl" toilets for all three
bathrooms. After >14 years, I have appreciated that minor selection criteria.
It's all about the comfort of USING the thing.

With the American butt getting bigger every year, I can't imagine installing a
toilet, new or replacement, without its being an elongated model. They are
simply more comfortable to use.

Caveat: Those that place FORM over function should know that an elongated bowl
toilet significantly reduces the choices one has for a seat/lid/cover. That's
OK with me as there are enough models available of sturdy, functional and
color-coordinated ELONGATED seats/lids/covers for my needs.

Football FANATICS beware: You probably will NOT find a [your favorite sports
team logo]-theme toilet seat/lid/cover for an elongated bowl. Live with it.
The elongated bowl is worth the <sigh> SACRIFICE!

My toilets do their thing in one flush. They work so well, I may take them
with me if/when I move. Heck, they might even appear in my Will!

They are politically incorrect: They use more water.

I was LUCKY as my house was completed JUST BEFORE the low-flow requirement.

However, I do have trouble sleeping because of the guilt I feel over the water
I am wasting. After all, we all know that every flush of water disappears off
the face of the Earth. Gone forever. It's terrible. I can't stand it...
--

Dave Combs

2006-02-05, 12:21 pm

I just installed an Eljer Titan a few weeks ago. It and the Toto and some
American Standard models have a 3" outlet. Even with low water pressure one
push and the waste whooses out of there faster than you can blink! Make
sure you get a model with the larger outlet!

Dave

<andynewhouse@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1139114007.397921.194850@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model appreciated.[color=darkred]
>
> Check out Consumers Reports at your local library - they test a bunch
> of models. Last test was August of 2005. I was looking myself
> recently, and standouts were the Elger Titan ($350), Gerber Ultra Flush
> 21-312 ($275), and Eljer Aqua-Saver 091-7025 (CR Best Buy, $200).
> Don't know about the price mentioned above - cheapest list price in
> their test was $160. Hope this helps.
> Good luck,
> Andy
>

badgolferman

2006-02-05, 3:21 pm

Jim Redelfs, 2/5/2006,10:32:53 AM, wrote:

> With the American butt getting bigger every year,

I was thinking of the elongated part of the bowl. I'm not fond of my
thang touching the bowl while I am sitting on the throne.

Percival P. Cassidy

2006-02-05, 3:21 pm

Hear! Hear!

Perce

On 02/04/06 10:02 pm A.D.C. wrote:

> American Standard Champion. The One Flush Wonder!
[color=darkred]

Bob (but not THAT Bob)

2006-02-05, 7:21 pm

WConner wrote:
>
> I am getting ready to remodel a bath including replacing toilet because of
> out dated color. I understand all toilets are the water saver type now, some
> do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walt Conner

Go here for some good info and opinions:

http://terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm

And read this report, featuring the ever-popular "bulk and extruded
media tests":

http://www.cwwa.ca/pdf_files/MaP%20...uary%202006.pdf

SteveSch

2006-02-24, 1:21 pm

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 02:56:59 +0000, WConner wrote:

> some
> do a good job of flushing, some don't. Any advice on make and model

Wish I'd have had enough brains to ask this question BEFORE I bought 2
toilets. Some of the links these answers provide are great.

We bought a home and the toilets would barely flush water. Very low
quality. 3-4 flushes and plunges were an everyday, several times a day,
thing.

I replaced the toilet in the main bathroom with an American Standard
Champion right away. The one that flushes golf balls. My son-in-law
plugged it one time. What a bugger to plunge when it gets plugged. That's
the only time it has plugged in 6 months.

A couple months later I replaced the one in the master bath with a Kohler
Cimarron with Class Five Flush. Home Depot told me they were very close
in performance to the American Standard. Now-2-3 flushes are an everyday
thing and I have had to plunge it a few times. It's been in about 7-10
days now. I'm calling the Depot today about exchanging it for an American
Standard.

The Kohler is advertised as flushing 100' of toilet paper (TP). After it
was installed, but before it was used, I put in approx 24 feet of
2-ply TP and did a test flush. Most of the TP just got wet and it didn't
go down. Just was in the bowel near the drain. I flushed again and it
plugged. After unplugging the toilet I tried everything to get the Kohler
to flush 24 feet of TP. I never could get it to.

I did the same test on the American Standard. I found the TP had to be wet
and away from the hole. Then it flushed the paper with no problem. Didn't
seem to be able to wet 24 feet of TP on the first flush. Neither did the
Kohler though.

Bottom line is the American Standard is MUCH better. I will check out the
Toto mow that I have heard of them. I may try and return this Kohler and
just get another American Standard.

I'm just letting you know NOT to get the Kohler Cimarron. The other
Kohlers may be great but the Cimarron is a piece of.........well you know.

Good luck,
Steve

Dick

2006-02-24, 2:21 pm

If you had bought Toto's you wouldn't be going through all that. My
daughter just bought a Champion and it's OK, but nothing like a Toto.

Dick

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 09:22:29 -0700, SteveSch <THISEMAIL@IS_FAKE.COM>
wrote:

>On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 02:56:59 +0000, WConner wrote:
>
>
>Wish I'd have had enough brains to ask this question BEFORE I bought 2
>toilets. Some of the links these answers provide are great.
>
>We bought a home and the toilets would barely flush water. Very low
>quality. 3-4 flushes and plunges were an everyday, several times a day,
>thing.
>
>I replaced the toilet in the main bathroom with an American Standard
>Champion right away. The one that flushes golf balls. My son-in-law
>plugged it one time. What a bugger to plunge when it gets plugged. That's
>the only time it has plugged in 6 months.

SteveSch

2006-02-24, 4:21 pm

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:28:00 -0700, Dick wrote:

> If you had bought Toto's you wouldn't be going through all that. My
> daughter just bought a Champion and it's OK, but nothing like a Toto.

I should be able to pick a Drake up Tuesday after I return the Kohler.
I'll let you all know how it works.

It'd sure be nice to get rid of the plunger for a while. ;-)

Steve

Dick

2006-02-24, 6:21 pm

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 12:20:47 -0700, SteveSch <THISEMAIL@IS_FAKE.COM>
wrote:

>On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:28:00 -0700, Dick wrote:
>
>
>I should be able to pick a Drake up Tuesday after I return the Kohler.
>I'll let you all know how it works.
>
>It'd sure be nice to get rid of the plunger for a while. ;-)
>
>Steve

You won't be sorry. We have one Drake and two Ultramax. We installed
them a little over a year ago, and not once has one of them required a
second flush. When you get the Drake installed, you will see right
away how different they flush from most anything else. The contents
just disappear. Goes straight down without any whirlpool effect.
They are also quieter than anything else I have heard. Can't say
enough good about them. If you want to pamper yourself, get the
hydraulic closing seat. Not cheap, but you will never have a lid slam
down again. I think it was about $40. Standard with the Ultramax.

Dick

SteveSch

2006-02-24, 8:21 pm

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 14:47:46 -0700, Dick wrote:

> enough good about them. If you want to pamper yourself, get the
> hydraulic closing seat. Not cheap, but you will never have a lid slam

And don't forget the cup holder. LOL

Thank you Dick. I am supposed to pick it up Monday.

Steve

SteveSch

2006-02-27, 7:21 pm

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 14:47:46 -0700, Dick wrote:

<<snip>>
> You won't be sorry. We have one Drake and two Ultramax. We installed
> them a little over a year ago, and not once has one of them required a
> second flush. When you get the Drake installed, you will see right away
> how different they flush from most anything else. The contents just
> disappear. Goes straight down without any whirlpool effect. They are
> also quieter than anything else I have heard. Can't say enough good
> about them. If you want to pamper yourself, get the hydraulic closing
> seat. Not cheap, but you will never have a lid slam down again. I
> think it was about $40. Standard with the Ultramax.

Hi Dick,

Well I got the Drake installed. The ada height elongated was approx $320
at a local plumbing supply company. The round standard height was $225.

I gave it a flush to prime the system. I put 24 feet of tp in it and
flushed. It went into the hole and sat there, very wet. I pulled it away
as I did with the others and flushed it again. At least it was easy to
plunge.

If I ever have to replace a toilet again right now I'm thinking I'd go
with the American Standard Champion. It flushed 24 feet of tp.

The good news is that it works MUCH better than the Kohler. If we don't
have any problems with it by Friday, I can finally throw toilet boxes away
and hide the plungers.

It does flow a lot of water along the sides of the bowel. Something the
Kohler did NOT do at all.

Thanks for the help,
Steve

Dick

2006-02-27, 10:21 pm

On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 15:35:44 -0700, SteveSch <THISEMAIL@IS_FAKE.COM>
wrote:

>On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 14:47:46 -0700, Dick wrote:
>
><<snip>>
>
>Hi Dick,
>
>Well I got the Drake installed. The ada height elongated was approx $320
>at a local plumbing supply company. The round standard height was $225.
>
>I gave it a flush to prime the system. I put 24 feet of tp in it and
>flushed. It went into the hole and sat there, very wet. I pulled it away
>as I did with the others and flushed it again. At least it was easy to
>plunge.
>
>If I ever have to replace a toilet again right now I'm thinking I'd go
>with the American Standard Champion. It flushed 24 feet of tp.
>
>The good news is that it works MUCH better than the Kohler. If we don't
>have any problems with it by Friday, I can finally throw toilet boxes away
>and hide the plungers.
>
>It does flow a lot of water along the sides of the bowel. Something the
>Kohler did NOT do at all.
>
>Thanks for the help,
>Steve

You could have saved a little by buying at HomeClick. The Drake ADA
elongated there is $307.43. Free shipping and no tax. I can't
imagine that the Drake wouldn't outdo the Champion in normal
operation. The Drake is rated to flush 900 grams of "stuff." The
Champion is rated only for 500 grams. The Drake should be able to
flush nearly twice as much bulk as the Champion. I think you will
find the Drake to be a great performer.

Dick

SteveSch

2006-02-28, 12:21 am

On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:46:19 -0700, Dick wrote:

Hi Dick,

> You could have saved a little by buying at HomeClick. The Drake ADA
> elongated there is $307.43. Free shipping and no tax. I can't

I didn't do too bad then. It was $297.52. I bought a wax ring and some
bolts too.

> imagine that the
>Drake wouldn't outdo the Champion in normal
> operation. The Drake is rated to flush 900 grams of "stuff." The
> Champion is rated only for 500 grams. The Drake should be able to flush
> nearly twice as much bulk as the Champion. I think you will find the
> Drake to be a great performer.

I was surprised myself after all I read. The map chart I saw says the
Champion either flushes 650 or 800 grams. It's a 1-piece but I'm not sure
which model. I wonder how accurate those numbers are. Maybe it's a
quality control problem or something? That Kohler is rated at 800 grams
and it had a heck of a time with normal waste.

I'm sure 24 feet of tp is way overkill but after the Kohler advertised it
would flush 100', I just had to see. Spool off 24 feet sometime. That's a
crapload (oops-slipped) of tp.

So far for normal use the Drake has performed great and I am pleased with
it. The amount of time it has been installed I would have already had to
double flush the Kohler several times. I doubt I will have any problems
with it-at last.

Thanks again for everything.
Steve

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