I'm trying to decide whether I should repair or replace the most-used toilet in my house. It is older, so I'm thinking of replacing it with a pressure-assisted model, which, I'm told, is a much more efficient use of 1.6 gallons of water than a gravity model.

Does anybody have one (or more) of these in their house? Do you like the pressure assist or not? Why or why not? If you are happy with it, what brand do you have?

Ah, one of the most popular topics here on the forum. Do a forum search for Toto and/or toilet and you should have enough reading material for the..."library".

The Toto Drake we bought when we moved into our house was, dare I say, among the best money I've spend on the house.

I second the toto.

Good inner bowl and flush way design trumps pressure assist everytime. The pressure assist is expensive to repair and breakage does happen often.

The Drake is a nice toilet. Get the ADA height version with the elongated bowl and softclose lid and you will not be sorry.

I have one right now and my 2 other bathrooms will be getting them when I have the time and money.

Best home purchase ever!

We've had a few of the pressure-assisted 1.6 gallon models at work, and we found they don't stand up to constant use the way the older style does.

The newer versions of the pressure-assisted models work far better than the initial ones (1.6 gallons per flush isn't saving you any water if you have to flush 3 or 4 times to get the poop to go down), but the long-term durability still isn't there.

Unless the 1.6 gallon models are required by your local codes or your water bill is exceedingly high, stick with the tried-and-true older style.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2006 12:55PM by Thrift Store Scott.

The only pressure assisted toilet we have is when someone pounds on the door when I've been in there too long, but I don't think that's what you are talking about.

On a more serious note, if you are concerned about water use, think about this little gadget that will let you decide when to use a larger amount of water and when not to:

[www.gaiam.com]

Not the cheapest thing in the world but less then a new toilet and it may address any concers about needing a standard flush when the situation requires it.

outcast



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2006 01:40PM by outcast.

I have 2 and ready to install another one. I like them but they are noisy.

Ironhorse

I'll chime in with the choir. Get a Toto...also do yourself a favor and get one with an elongated bowl. Stay as far away from Kohler's as possible. The pressure assist toilets are not only unreliable, but they are obnoxiously noisy.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Water use is of secondary concern right now, although I always like to be environmentally responsible when I can. The current toilet probably will be replaced, because it's looking like I could buy a new one for about the same amount as what it's going to take to fix the old one. And that's assuming anybody can even find the right part, which isn't looking promising right now.

I was intrigued by the rave reviews for the Toto Drake, so I did more internet research. Then I tried to find them locally. So far none of the major plumbing wholesalers or retailers carry them. Where did those of you who have Totos buy them?

I bought ours online at Faucet Depot [tinyurl.com] because I discovered the same thing you did...they're not easy to find locally. Shipping was on the high side, as to be expected though not unreasonable (and not as high as I've seen for much lighter items from some ebayers), but in spite of that, I'd do it again.

edit; Evidently the link isn't working properly for the search results, but just search toto drake in the search window on the faucetdepot.com.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2006 01:46PM by wurm.

Here. This is THE toilet site...more than you wanted to know about toilets. You can buy Toto's through the site. [www.terrylove.com]

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

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davester
Here. This is THE toilet site...more than you wanted to know about toilets. You can buy Toto's through the site. [www.terrylove.com]

Hey, davester, that's a great site, and I think I'd already found his review earlier today. And he's close enough so I can always go pound on his door if I'm unhappy. A bonus. Thank you.

Toto Drake. Period.

The Macintosh/OS X of toilets. When you want it just to work.

We bought locally.

I will say, I've had the flapper break twice on one unit; the chain just ripped through the little hole. No big deal; get another flapper, and in 30 seconds you're back in business.

What makes the Toto great is that it's just a plain toilet. It's just a valve and a flapper. Of course, it's engineered to death so that it works so well, but that was THEIR problem--not yours. Gee, sounds like Macintosh...

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In the words of DharmaDog: "it may or may not be utter horse@#$%&, but it shouldn't be dismissed simply because it doesn't agree with your opinion."

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Trying is the first step to failure. -- Homer Simpson

I put a Kohler Cimarron in almost two years ago. (regular 1.6)
It's been fine.
Have never had to flush twice.
I don't try to flush broom sticks or hundreds of golf balls, though.


I re-did a bathroom in '93/'94 when the new low flows were just mandated.
Expensive Kohler. It was horrible.
Replaced some parts inside to raise the tank level almost to the rim and it's been great.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2006 03:07PM by billb.

A friend has one and had problems. Seems a little rubber thing was the problem. Call the company and see if they can help you if you are just having problems. They sent her a whole new unit FREE

Who knew that coprology/scatology could be so varied and interesting!

I just finished my half bath. We remodeled using all ToTo products. Nice stuff. By far the best fixtures out there. They even make Kohler pale in comparison. It is the Soiree toilet 1.6 gal. Plenty of power for even the biggest burrito dinners. All the rest is ToTo also.
[homepage.mac.com]

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I'm not a bad guy! I work hard, and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I'm going to Hell? -Homer.

my wife did the master bath last year with Am Stan. Noisy useless piece of $h1t. Gets stuck on paper. Now we're getting ready to do the down bath. She's decided on Kohler this time. More crap.
I'm not fighting over $h1t though.

She can pay for replacement of those crappers in 2 years when she gets fed up.
She says I never admit when I'm wrong, but man that master pot is busy doing it's job, repeatedly. Even the contractor advised against that junk.

The kitchen is getting done my way.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.

The American Standard unit I have now has been very good, probably because it's an older one. The other two I have are Eljer low-flows, and they're the ones I wish would just quit working altogether, but they just keep bumbling along - kind of working but not quite right.

I've decided to replace the American Standard with a Toto, but I still have to decide whether to go with the Toto Drake or upgrade to Terry Love's personal favorite, the Toto UltraMax. There's not a huge difference in price. I also have to figure out who will get the fun job of installing it. Terry Love's installer will come down here, although I'll have to pay an extra $100 because of the distance.

Hey, Phy! Want a new toitie? We could split the extra travel costs!

We put in an American Standard Champion toilet with a MB remodel about 3 years ago, and have been very happy with it. Learned from my brother's pressure-assisted toilets about the noise, so avoided that. The AS Champion has a wider outflow from the tank and a wider outflow from the bowl to allow for the 1.6 gal to never clog. It has never failed anyone in our family. Bought it locally @ home depot.

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Blurb
We put in an American Standard Champion toilet with a MB remodel about 3 years ago, and have been very happy with it. Learned from my brother's pressure-assisted toilets about the noise, so avoided that. The AS Champion has a wider outflow from the tank and a wider outflow from the bowl to allow for the 1.6 gal to never clog. It has never failed anyone in our family. Bought it locally @ home depot.

The only disappointing thing about my American Standard is the fact nobody seems to have the replacement part it needs. I like it and will miss it.

This thread is totally disappointing and just too full of helpful useful hints.

Why in my day, someone would have chimed in, "sure, I own a pressurized toilet, everytime I sit on it...." : )

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Bryan
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Mac Studio 2022
MacBook Pro 14 inch 2021
iPhone 14 Pro
Location: Cincinnati

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Bryan
______________________________________________________
Mac Studio 2022
MacBook Pro 14 inch 2021
iPhone 14 Pro
Location: Cincinnati



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2006 03:16PM by Grumpyguy.