What Toilet Brand Would Buy??

[WVBill]

Kohler Highline Classic "Comfort Height".

I replaced the builder's toilets in my last house with these and specified them in the new house I had built. They do not clog.

 

[goeduck]

Kohler Highline Classic "Comfort Height".

I replaced the builder's toilets in my last house with these and specified them in the new house I had built. They do not clog.

Consumer Reports rates the Kohler Highline Classic as the second highest toilet. They also list it as a pressure flush vs gravity and there are reports of a few problems with the Flushmate pressure tanks. I am not experienced with pressure tanks on toilets and the house I need to replace a toilet in is on a well with the pressure low. How much pressure do you have?

 

[reb]

I installed a Jacuzzi (16.5" not including the seat) a few years ago. It is a 2 speed unit and has worked well. Cost was about $170 at Lowe's. The mechanism inside the tank developed a leak. The handle broke, too. Those were fixed under the warranty. I suspect the internal mechanism will have to be replaced periodically.

 

[kcflhrc]

I had picked up a "glacier bay" store brand dual flush from Home Depot in a quick fix situation about 2 years ago. It has worked better and has a better finish than our other Kohler toilet. I like it enough that 2 more of them will be going in the new home we are building.

Yep, I have 2 also. Work fantastic

 

[WVBill]

Consumer Reports rates the Kohler Highline Classic as the second highest toilet. They also list it as a pressure flush vs gravity and there are reports of a few problems with the Flushmate pressure tanks. I am not experienced with pressure tanks on toilets and the house I need to replace a toilet in is on a well with the pressure low. How much pressure do you have?

CR is wrong - the Kohler Highline Classic is "Single-flush gravity uses the force of gravity and a precision-engineered tank, bowl and trapway to create a strong siphon during flushing"

We were on well at the old house - no problems. We're on community water in the new house but the pressure is often low. It just takes longer for the tank to fill.

 

[teejk]

Consumer Reports rates the Kohler Highline Classic as the second highest toilet. They also list it as a pressure flush vs gravity and there are reports of a few problems with the Flushmate pressure tanks. I am not experienced with pressure tanks on toilets and the house I need to replace a toilet in is on a well with the pressure low. How much pressure do you have?

Not familiar with the "Flushmate" assisted toilets? Let me explain it this way...picture being on the tarmac when a 747 takes off! I have 3 Kohler's here and have to warn guests to be prepared for the flush (not as bad as some European toilets that will send a splash of warm water up, followed by warm air, all in a plan to eliminate toilet paper). But they work great. As I understand it, the thing to look for is the diameter of the internal "guts". The more expensive toilets will be larger. And yup...the Flushmates have had some issues that resulted in a recall (it's a plastic tank that resides inside the water closet) and I understand they will need replacing sooner or later (warranty is 10 years I think).

 

[goeduck]

CR is wrong - the Kohler Highline Classic is "Single-flush gravity uses the force of gravity and a precision-engineered tank, bowl and trapway to create a strong siphon during flushing".

The Kohler Website also says the Highline Classic has a pressure system, CR appears to be correct.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I'm not a plumber, but I have 14 bathrooms across my various real estate holdings. I like Toto the best and as the need arises I'm standardizing on them. I like the insulated tank models because I have high humidity.

Least favorite toilet brand is Mansfield, I only have one of them.

 

[goeduck]

Consumer Reports lists

St. Thomas by Icera Richmond ECO (6123.218, 6125.028) toilet

As their top choice. I am not familiar with the brand but like the style for one of my houses but do not want to get into proprietary flappers, etc. Anyone have one of these?

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm not a plumber, but I have 14 bathrooms across my various real estate holdings. I like Toto the best and as the need arises I'm standardizing on them. I like the insulated tank models because I have high humidity.

Least favorite toilet brand is Mansfield, I only have one of them.

I'm loath to buy new toilets as the older ones even up in the 1980's are so simple and effective if not max water savers... but if you flush twice how are you saving?

As a property manager I have had lots of low flush horror stories... some, even the manufacturers gave up on.

When I buy new... I buy only Toto... I believe the most common model I buy is Drake and they don't cost a lot over the box stores from the wholesale house.

Toto is the only toilet my plumber will put in commercially with a tank... Restaurants mostly.

Whatever you buy... pick up an extra ballcock and flapper... brand specific... as there are so many variations it is no longer guaranteed to be on the shelf everywhere.

 

[dragoneggs]

This should be an interesting thread to follow... everyone (well almost) has at least one toilet and has had the 'opportunity' to maintain it. I will refrain for now in relating my experiences but please keep posting. I will say that I did buy once a toilet for my rental house that advertised it could suck more golf balls than I own, on one flush! It was loud but it was impressive.

 

[ultrarunner]

I did a bath remodel for a friend... they picked out all Kohler and the toilet was flush assist.

It was maybe 3 years old and stopped working... I contacted Kohler and said the toilet is crap...

Without any question... Kohler had a replacement of the same style/color delivered sans power assist... as it had been discontinued.

I have to give credit where credit is due...

I still use a lot of Kohler Cast Iron Tubs and some Sinks... the older Kohler Toilets with the 3.5 gallon continue to be trouble free...

One thing I have noticed with all the water saver fixtures is they work better drain wise with plastic drain/waste lines... not quite so good with 1920's cast iron... the greater flow of the older fixtures keeps the line open... at least my experience.

 

[oosik]

If you have the wall space - buy a Crapper brand. Fantastic looking antique unit.

 

[nikdfish]

Our last update was to an American Standard. Has a two level flush (short/long press) & we've been very happy with it. Also had good luck with Kohler, so I'd vote for either.

 

[Oldoak]

One thing to keep in mind, it's not just the brand but specific models that is important.

 

[WVBill]

The Kohler Website also says the Highline Classic has a pressure system, CR appears to be correct.

It appears not all Kohler Highline Classic Toilets are the same.

K-3658-RA | Highline Classic Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet | KOHLER

 

[quicksandfarmer]

One thing to keep in mind, it's not just the brand but specific models that is important.

And to complicate matters further, sometimes the same model is sold under two different names. And sometimes they change the design and keep the model name the same.

This is particularly true with house brands like Home Depot's Glacier Bay. I'm sure they change manufacturers all the time.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I buy new... I buy Toto Drake... but there are variations too...

Toto Drake II CST454 Review - Best Low-Flow Toilet

Toto Drake Toilet Review [218] - Is It Worth Your Money? |

 

[goeduck]

It appears not all Kohler Highline Classic Toilets are the same.

K-3658-RA | Highline Classic Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet | KOHLER

Interesting. It looks like your model has this gizmo in it. Not too complicated but not just a flapper.

 

[MacLawn]

Toto. Done.

Love Plumbing & Remodel of Bellevue & Bothell WA, Terry Love

More than you ever wanted know about toilets.