Replacement Toilet Advice

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

One of our toilets needs to be replaced.  It came with the house, and is actually a larger, old school model that uses tons of water to flush.

Any recommendations for an efficient, okay, powerful, LOL low-flow toilet -- relatively quiet, but gets the job done?  I'm not looking for the cheapest -- I want quality.  


(Our household consists of 3 men and 1 woman.) 

[bean29]

Toilets get pricy quickly.

Consumer Reports has rated.

When DH bought one for the basement I told him to get the house brand from HD or Lowes.

Home Depot's is Glacier Bay N2428E Single Flush toilet $100

Lowes is Aquasource AT1203-00 Single flush $100

When we bought the toilet - I also read the comments on the respective retailer web sites. Apparently the CR rating is somewhat old and the models have changed somewhat.

I have no complaints, but the toilet is in the basement and not used a lot.

If you want a dual flush toilet, Glacier Bay (HD) has a dual flush N2326 toilet that uses Gravity that only goes for $100 and scored the highest of those rated.

[zibazinski]

My Aunt and Uncle replaced theirs from Costco. A hundred bucks and it flushes on top, two choices. They love it.

[Lizard Queen]

When I was shopping for toilets, I went to Menards.  They had a whole aisle of them, and they were rated for flush strength, water usage and probably noise level.  We got Mansfield 8 flush strength for one bathroom, and a 10 for the other.  We wish we had gotten 10's for both. (DS is good for plugging up the toilet  .)

[The Captain]

www.homedepot.com/p/American-Standard-Champion-4-Max-Right-Height-2-piece-High-Efficiency-1-28-GPF-Elongated-Toilet-in-White-2586-128ST-020/203182005

First thing we did when we moved was replace all the old toilets with this model (there were three).

DH likes it to be a bit higher off the ground (he's very tall) and I'm good with that.  Second house we've used them in.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Looking at replacing at least 2 of the toilets in this house.  When we do, they will be high profile so they will be easier for me (and we can get rid of the rails that I currently need).  Hopefully soon, as I really hate that toilet riser.

[Lizard Queen]

The taller toilets are really common/easy to find now.  One of ours is taller, for DH, while we kept one standard height for the kids (and me, as the other is just a smidge too tall for me).

[Green Eyed Lady]

Get a Squatty Potty.

[Lizard Queen]

Apr 17, 2015 10:32:50 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Get a Squatty Potty.

Is that the thing I saw on Shark Tank recently?

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

So, we are not tall people.  I personally don't like the taller toilets.  Nor do I like the ones that are so low that you essentially drop on to them.

Any recommendations for the middle height toilets?

(Consumer Reports doesn't let me sort the recommendations by toilet height, nor does the Home Depot site.)

[The Captain]

Apr 17, 2015 11:00:56 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, we are not tall people.  I personally don't like the taller toilets.  Nor do I like the ones that are so low that you essentially drop on to them.

Any recommendations for the middle height toilets?

(Consumer Reports doesn't let me sort the recommendations by toilet height, nor does the Home Depot site.)

I'm 5'4" and am comfortable on the one I listed.  DD was potty trained on that one so it's all she's ever known.  No issues.

[Lizard Queen]

Apr 17, 2015 11:00:56 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, we are not tall people.  I personally don't like the taller toilets.  Nor do I like the ones that are so low that you essentially drop on to them.

Any recommendations for the middle height toilets?

(Consumer Reports doesn't let me sort the recommendations by toilet height, nor does the Home Depot site.)

There was generally a taller version and a regular height version of the same toilet available.  Our contractor recommended just going with a Mansfield, but you can spend more for a better brand.  Here's a dual-flush option:

www.menards.com/main/bath/toilets/two-piece-toilets/mansfield-summit-dual-flush-round-front-two-piece-toilet-in-a-box/p-1716434-c-5974.htm

I would ask your contractor what brand he recommends.

[bean29]

Apr 17, 2015 10:13:42 GMT -5 The Captain said:

www.homedepot.com/p/American-Standard-Champion-4-Max-Right-Height-2-piece-High-Efficiency-1-28-GPF-Elongated-Toilet-in-White-2586-128ST-020/203182005

First thing we did when we moved was replace all the old toilets with this model (there were three).

DH likes it to be a bit higher off the ground (he's very tall) and I'm good with that.  Second house we've used them in.

This is CR 2nd top rated toilet. It is more than the ones I listed, IDK why, but the rating is higher too.

I had something once that separated the higher ones vs. lower ones.

The lower ones are harder to find now, it seems they are all the "right height". I am short too and would prefer the lower height, but I would have had to spend $300 to get a lower height toilet. I would for the 1st floor bathroom but not the lower ones.

www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-Toilets-Toilet-Seats-Bidets-Toilets/Two-Piece-All-In-One-Toilet/Two-Piece-Dual-Flush-Toilet/N-5yc1vZbzbdZ1z0toxrZ1z0zfpyZ1z0zfqm?NCNI-5

on Home Depot's web site check the box on the left side for "Standard Height".  It looks like the Toto Drake one was listed as a good option by CR and it is only 189 on HD web site.  toto Aqua is a two stage, but did not rate as high.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Apr 17, 2015 10:54:05 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Apr 17, 2015 10:32:50 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Get a Squatty Potty.

Is that the thing I saw on Shark Tank recently?

lol...yep.  They didn't get an investment.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I'm using an Ipad to search the website (not an app), and as often happens with the iPad on most websites, I don't have all of the sorting options such as height.  I may have to wait until I get home later and then search.  Or not, because I do like many of the recommendations you have all been kind enough to post.  

Maybe I'll have to go to my local HD and give them a test ride, LOL.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I should add that I never knew how many variables go into selecting a toilet:

single or two piece design
seat height
round or elongated
single or dual flush
trap way diameter
flush valve diameter
smooth rim or ridged rim
distinct or enclosed lid/seat combination
plastic or wooden seat
color
vitreous china with or without antimicrobial properties

I'm not even at color choices yet!

LOL.  I think we'll just get litter boxes.  

[Lizard Queen]

Apr 17, 2015 11:28:57 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Apr 17, 2015 10:54:05 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Is that the thing I saw on Shark Tank recently?

lol...yep.  They didn't get an investment.

They didn't?  (I just watched it sporadically.)  I'm surprised--it looked like their sales numbers were really good.  

I do remember looking it up on Amazon.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Apr 17, 2015 11:21:58 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Apr 17, 2015 10:13:42 GMT -5 The Captain said:

www.homedepot.com/p/American-Standard-Champion-4-Max-Right-Height-2-piece-High-Efficiency-1-28-GPF-Elongated-Toilet-in-White-2586-128ST-020/203182005

First thing we did when we moved was replace all the old toilets with this model (there were three).

DH likes it to be a bit higher off the ground (he's very tall) and I'm good with that.  Second house we've used them in.

This is CR 2nd top rated toilet. It is more than the ones I listed, IDK why, but the rating is higher too.

I had something once that separated the higher ones vs. lower ones.

The lower ones are harder to find now, it seems they are all the "right height". I am short too and would prefer the lower height, but I would have had to spend $300 to get a lower height toilet. I would for the 1st floor bathroom but not the lower ones.

www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-Toilets-Toilet-Seats-Bidets-Toilets/Two-Piece-All-In-One-Toilet/Two-Piece-Dual-Flush-Toilet/N-5yc1vZbzbdZ1z0toxrZ1z0zfpyZ1z0zfqm?NCNI-5

on Home Depot's web site check the box on the left side for "Standard Height".  It looks like the Toto Drake one was listed as a good option by CR and it is only 189 on HD web site.  toto Aqua is a two stage, but did not rate as high.

One of the things you might want to look at is what the actual score is, and what the range of scores is between the highest and lowest toilet.  CR is really good at this, and their cell phone plan issue a few years ago was a great example.  There was only 5 points between the highest and lowest plan and the lowest plan was totally panned - but they never explained why only 5 points (out of a 100 point scale) separated them.

When I used CR to review washers a few years ago, there was a much larger range.  But even so, the 'not rating as high' was only a 2 point difference.

[Malarky]

When we redid our bathroom I went to Republic Plumbing on 135 in Framingham.

I told them to not tell me the price, just point me to the model that saves water and makes whatever someone just did go away.  With one flush.

I ended up with a Toto and we've never had a problem with it.  It was about $125-$150, I think.  It was a few years ago.  

My water bill went down significantly.

[tskeeter]

From articles that I've read, the thing that prevents clogged toilets more than anything else is a large discharge passage.  It's been years, but IIRC, the old style standard toilet had about a 2 1/4 inch discharge.  Works fine with lots of water pressure behind it.  But, when the early low flow toilets were introduced, all they did was reduce the volume of water used.  This meant less water pressure to remove waste and resulted in lots of clogged toilets.  So toilet manufacturers began to figure out that they needed to increase the size of the discharge passage.  Some are now in the 3 inch range.

If I was looking for a new toilet, I start by researching how big the discharge on different models are.  Then I'd look at height, style, bowl shape, color, etc.

By the way, replacing toilets to reduce spending on water is rarely a cost effective decision.  If you didn't have a leaky toilet, usually you can't save enough to make a difference.  However, if you're in a drought prone area and your motivation is to do your part to reduce water consumption, I'd go for it.  

[bean29]

Apr 17, 2015 12:50:47 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Apr 17, 2015 11:21:58 GMT -5 bean29 said:

This is CR 2nd top rated toilet. It is more than the ones I listed, IDK why, but the rating is higher too.

I had something once that separated the higher ones vs. lower ones.

The lower ones are harder to find now, it seems they are all the "right height". I am short too and would prefer the lower height, but I would have had to spend $300 to get a lower height toilet. I would for the 1st floor bathroom but not the lower ones.

www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-Toilets-Toilet-Seats-Bidets-Toilets/Two-Piece-All-In-One-Toilet/Two-Piece-Dual-Flush-Toilet/N-5yc1vZbzbdZ1z0toxrZ1z0zfpyZ1z0zfqm?NCNI-5

on Home Depot's web site check the box on the left side for "Standard Height".  It looks like the Toto Drake one was listed as a good option by CR and it is only 189 on HD web site.  toto Aqua is a two stage, but did not rate as high.

One of the things you might want to look at is what the actual score is, and what the range of scores is between the highest and lowest toilet.  CR is really good at this, and their cell phone plan issue a few years ago was a great example.  There was only 5 points between the highest and lowest plan and the lowest plan was totally panned - but they never explained why only 5 points (out of a 100 point scale) separated them.

When I used CR to review washers a few years ago, there was a much larger range.  But even so, the 'not rating as high' was only a 2 point difference.

Agreed, and I figure DH and I are not top of the line type of consumers, so I usually eliminate the top rated unless it is a good deal. I also once bought a top rated Kenmore Canister vacuum that we hated, so now I read the consumer ratings on HD, Lowes or Amazon for extra reassurance.

[Lizard Queen]

CR: our house came with zero appliances. Tried using CR to choose. Couldn't find most of the models tested. Our stove we actually found. Despite being a best buy we hate it. It's a piece of crap. I now take CR with a grain of salt.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

The primary reason we are replacing it is because it is leaking.

That said, I just did some research and it might just be the wax ring which *appears* to be an easy enough repair and a lot cheaper than a new throne. I think I might try the do-it-yourself route tomorrow and see how it goes..I have enough other stuff to buy for the move back into the house so the price of a new toilet could be certainly used toward other things.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I check Consumer Reports, but it is only one of many sources I use before making purchases. I like how CR offers a buying guide so that you can identify features you need/want. But, I also check buyer reviews on other sites (stores, dealers, etc.).

And, of course, I ALWAYS check with you wise and knowledgeable YMers. :-)

[TheOtherMe]

I replaced my toilet because it clogged all the time.  I was having to have a plumber out about every other month.  I got an elongated tall Kohler and I love it.  Plumber said because of the additional clearance it gave the plumbing, he wouldn't be back to unclog it.  The toilet has never clogged so it has more than paid for itself in plumbing bills I have not had to pay.  

[Deleted]

Apr 17, 2015 13:42:54 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

The primary reason we are replacing it is because it is leaking.

That said, I just did some research and it might just be the wax ring which *appears* to be an easy enough repair and a lot cheaper than a new throne. I think I might try the do-it-yourself route tomorrow and see how it goes..I have enough other stuff to buy for the move back into the house so the price of a new toilet could be certainly used toward other things.

If there's water outside the toilet, you can also maybe check the bolts that anchor the tank to the bowl portion.  

When I replaced the wax seal on one of our toilets, the tank got jostled from being lifted and set down again just enough that I also had to tighten one of the bolts less than a quarter turn to stop a very gentle leak.  

From what I understand, the types of leaks can look similar since they both tend to cause water around the base of a toilet.  Water gently dripping or flowing down the side/back of the toilet is an indicator for tank seal issues, instead of a wax ring issue.  

If it is a wax seal, they are pretty cheap and straightforward in my experience.  Just make sure that when you're setting the toilet back down, it's lowered straight down, so the new wax doesn't smoosh in uneven directions.  Like you've probably read, that could cause a leak or a clog.  Two people might be handy for lifting and placing it if you're not easily able to lift a couple dozen pounds in an awkward shape.

Good luck however you go forwards!  

[Bonny]

We replaced the cabin toilet with a Viper elongated bowl from Home Depot. Our plumber there sells them by the dozen. Of the 5 toilets we bought in 2014 (2 here, two for the rental in Oceanside and one at the cabin) this is my favorite.

Yeah 2014 was the year of the toilet for us.

[thyme4change]

I got a Toto, and it is great.  I've never had to double flush.  It was $250-ish, I think.  I was so sick of our old toilet clogging, I didn't want to cheap out and regret it.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Apr 17, 2015 13:28:14 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

CR: our house came with zero appliances. Tried using CR to choose. Couldn't find most of the models tested. Our stove we actually found. Despite being a best buy we hate it. It's a piece of crap. I now take CR with a grain of salt.

The problem with using CR is that the reviews depend upon date.  Models change yearly and depending upon when the review on that item was done, the models very likely can be no longer available.  I know when I went looking for my washer, the CR review was only a few months old and even then had problems finding the model numbers.  

I use CR as a culling device, but will go and read the reviews on the product first.  Best Buy and Lowe's both have a place where you can check out user reviews and it becomes fairly easy to pick out models that have problems.  I almost bought a Whirlpool washer that got decent CR reviews, but later had huge issues with the water sensor and these showed up on the store's web site.

[seriousthistime]

Apr 17, 2015 20:33:32 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I replaced my toilet because it clogged all the time.  I was having to have a plumber out about every other month.  I got an elongated tall Kohler and I love it.  Plumber said because of the additional clearance it gave the plumbing, he wouldn't be back to unclog it.  The toilet has never clogged so it has more than paid for itself in plumbing bills I have not had to pay.  

Mine too.  One of these models came with the house.  When I had to have the toilet pulled out to replaced my flooring in the master bath, I figured I'd replace the toilet too.  Then when I updated and painted the third (half) bathroom, I replaced the toilet in there.  The house is 40 years old.  I figure when I have someone out to do things around the house I might as well anticipate what makes sense in terms of add-ons (as long as someone's here anyway).  I'd rather scratch things off the list of stuff to worry about when I can.  The Kohler chair-height toilet is great, and not very expensive; got it at Home Depot.