OK my floor is roughed in at 14 inches and the toilet that I have is designed to be roughed in at 12 inches. Which means there are is 2 inches of empty space between tank and wall but if you bought a 12 inch Rough in toilet and your home was roughed in at 10 inches then you would have a bit of a problem!
Hey, great buyer's guide; thanks! We are in the market for a new toilet for our main floor and (I lie to you not) we were just at Home Depot last night looking at the American Standard VorMax. Can you tell me; does it have a foam (or other) liner on the tank interior so it doesn't sweat? That is the only feature we found as a standout on the Titan model at Menards but VorMax's box doesn't state anything about that. - Jeffrey
I LOVE A RUclipsR WHO GETS RIGHT INTO THE TOPIC!!! It's much appreciated as opposed to the many YT creators that insist on superfluous commentary for the first minute or so of the video
I don’t know what I searched/looked at to get this in my recommendations, but it made me curious, so now I’m watching a toilet buying guide even though I don’t need a toilet.
You are SO right. I’m elderly and disabled and I bought the wrong toilet and now I have to get a new toilet and seat. The toilet I have now is elongated but has a cheap thin plastic seat that sticks to my skin every time I stand up. The bowl is not big enough so it doesn’t put enough water in to cover the poo. Not enough water means the poo won’t flush down properly and with some of the poo in the air and not in the water it smells. I don’t have antimicrobial either so after a few days there is an awful blackish mold type ring in the bowl.
I recommend you check inside the tank for a large flapper on the flush valve. Be sure the store stocks repair parts, not “parts are free just call the number inside the tank” unless you want to be without a working toilet until the part arrives. Also look in the bowl for the small hole at the bottom, the larger the hole the better flush.
I made sure I measured and got the right size for the two toilets we just replaced. They are elongated and ADA-complient because we knew, now that we're getting older, it would be easier to get on and off. The Toto Drake is what we got after a ton of research and it ticks all your boxes, including the slow close seat. These Totos we now have are amazing. Zero regrets.
Best on the market is American standard champion 4 I’m a master plumb! This thing will flush a meatloaf! Comes with everything in the box for installation ❤
We installed two of these a few months ago at the recommendation of a friend she said they flush anything. We love them. They would flush a meatloaf! lol
Don't let this guy lie to you. American standard 4 is the biggest piece of crap there is. It clogs ALL the time and is in unplungable. Stay away if your smart, don't fall for the hipe like I did
Got an American Standard that checked all these boxes, plus with two flappers that cleared up the regular slow draining we used to fight with, and a and a bowl swirl port.
Excellent video with very accurate information. The only thing to add is that the slick finishes on the high-end toilets, although great in keeping it clean and flushing better, are quite fragile compared to regular porcelain and no hard brushes or harsh chemicals (absolutely no bleach) should be used on them, especially inside the bowl. Use a sponge and dish detergent to clean the toilet with those special slick surfaces.
I’ve done it myself but last time hired a plumber, he recommended Toto which I never thought of, he was right, it is great. It uses very little water but flushes extremely well.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL ANALYSIS. Some of the other videos don't begin to cover these important considerations. So THANK YOU. What about a 3" flap instead of a 2" and a minimum 2" ptrap... or don't those things matter much? Would have liked to know how to measure the rough-in. The following was helpful: "Measure from the wall behind the toilet to the center of one of the closet bolts (which hold the toilet down). If the toilet has four closet bolts, measure to the center of one of the rear ones. Then measure from the center of the mounting holes to the back of the new toilet you're considering. Compare these two measurements. If the base of the new toilet is shorter than the distance between the rear bolt holes and the wall, it should fit." Also, thanks for not having a long, flashy intro that only wastes people's time.
Great points! I've had a short, round toilet for the past 17 years and it's got to go. Mainly because it doesn't flush all that well anymore, but that shape and size has always annoyed me, too.
Man here…yes, elongated is the preference however, sometimes if you have a small powder room or you are just installing a toilet in a small space then round is a better choice. Kohler is an excellent brand however they have been rolling out a new proprietary flush mechanism called an aqua-piston which is a water saving mechanism. Lots of videos here on YT showing they don’t flush as reliably and consistently as a standard flapper flush mechanism thus requiring more flushes so you are not really saving water. The lower gasket washer is difficult to install and frequently leaks. As if all of that wasn’t enough you can only get aqua piston parts direct from Kohler. They are not available from big box stores or even commercial plumbing supply stores. Avoid the aqua piston mechanism from Kohler!
The worst thing is trying to do a BM while almost sitting in a chair posture! it makes it much more difficult and one of the reasons other countries elsewhere use a squat toilet, squatting is THE natural position to do this NOT sitting upright! The squatting position or bent over at least is the one that helps the process a LOT.
It can be hard to get out of a low seating, so may need to have a grab handle on the wall. Or one can have a higher toilet and foot stool to raise the legs. The choice is then which accessory one prefers, foot stool or grab handle.
This has been proven to be true. The bowel gets better evacuation in squatted position. However, if the lower position is physically difficult to achieve, as mentioned in comments, a small platform or railing may help.
Kohler makes a compact elongated toilet that fits in the same space as a round front toilet. And, it is a good toilet! Shorter toilets are better physiologically and should be the go-to unless you are dealing with older people who may have trouble getting on and off of a shorter toilet.
@@jesseostone386 Yes, the comfort height makes it a lot easier to get on and off of, but @JesseO Stone is has a valid point, our bodies were designed to be in a squatting position when having a bowel movement. Higher toilets can lead to other physiological problems, such as contributing to constipation and failing to have a full evacuation.
The champion is the champion! I bought a heated toilet seat on eBay several years ago and it's still working. Just warm enough to avoid that shock factor of an ice cold seat in the winter.
Great video. I just purchased 3 chair height, elongated American standard toilets yesterday without knowing American standard was a top 3. My feelings have elevated after watching this.
When we did over our washroom, I researched toilets for two weeks. Finally bought an American Standard Optum Vormax, look up some videos, you will see why.
Did you look at the Toto Drake? That's what I'm thinking about getting. Do you think the Optum Vormax is better? I watched a plumber and he was saying AS is the "lowest" of the three (Toto, Kohler, AS). Let me know your .02. Thanks.
Standard Height and round bowl for me. I'm not tall so this works well for me. I have a KOHLER Wellworth toilet bought in 2015 and has been flawless. Did a mini bathroom makeover in my condo last month including new vanity, medicine cabinet, lighting/ fan and flooring. I decided to keep the same toilet. Bought on sale at the time for $128 then take 10% off for the military discount. This model has been made since the 60's.
The other issue I recently discovered about a one piece toilet is the curved transition between the seat and tank. The Toto bidet does not fit well because of the rounded space…
When I reno’d my bathrm my plumber suggested a “comfort height”. Bought it, HATED it. I’m 5’4” and the extra height was very uncomfortable. I ended up giving it away and went back to regular height. If you’re short (5’4” and under) stick with regular height.
I did the same thing, Lenore. After having to squat to, "take care of business" during work hours I realized what a comfortable position that was. Cut to redoing the bathroom and I purchased a toilet that was too tall even when I'm 5'9". I'll be returning to a shorter unit directly.
Taller toilets put our anatomy in a less efficient and less healthy position. This results in increased straining. Technically, we're built to poop squatting. So it's not smart to install higher toilets. The lower choice is better for your body. Also, the lower potty keeps your sit muscles in good shape. The tall version may be more "comfort" but that's a false economy. The older u are the more important it is to keep your thigh muscles optimal. Ask any gastroenterologist.
@@Julia.Mandelbrotyeah tell my knees that I’m 6’3” 270lbs the house I moved into had a standard height toilet and Jesus getting in position to wipe my ass was a pain
I very very VERY much agree on the slow-close toilet seat!!! My wife and I were remodeling both bathrooms, and she asked why I bought the more expensive toilet seat, I answered that "it is the cure to most bathroom problems." She was qurious and I asked, what is our greatest problem and she said that "I don't lower the seat." I said that men don't mind lifting a seat but don't want to lower them. I showed her how this seat can be tapped, and it closes itself. She AGREED that it WAS the answer!
Hi from Southern California. I replaced both my toilets in 2016 with dual flush and am perfectly happy. American Standard. In 2022 I discovered some water on the floor in the downstairs bathroom and fou d that the tank had a hairline crack. I was out of warranty but my plumber suggested I call American Standard to explain and ask them "just to verify the correct replacement tank model". They sent me an entire new toilet, free of charge. So, very pleased.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Customer Service is a HUGE selling point when it comes to making [any] purchase! Stuff happens and things break down. Most people just want to know there will be someone from the company there to help if that should happen to them. Our plumber (35 years experience) has been with us for the last 8 years so we trust him. He told my husband and I he'd gladly put in any toilet we choose, (and he would!) but recommends American Standard. He was up-front to us about the fact that, yes, they are easy to install but more than that, parts are readily available if need be. (Only having one bathroom in our home, that's important!) So we were trying to choose from the A.S. product line... But for every positive comment we read about - well, ANY given brand of toilet - there's literally ALWAYS a negative one. We subscribe to Consumer Reports and we STILL didn't know which way to go. (lol!) But your statement about customer service is a GREAT reminder that a product is only as good as the company that stands behind what they manufacture. Thank you for that! So the search for a new toilet continues, but I'm thinking we will keep American Standard at the top of the list.
If you buy a skirted toilet be sure to check your supply line location. Must be 4-5 inches to the right side because skirted toilets fit right up against the wall so no room for the supply line behind the toilet.
Depends on the manufacturer of the skirted toilet. American Standard skirted toilets allow the shut-off valve to be located behind the toilet and out of site, but the supply line should exit the wall or the floor 2-1/4" from the drain center.
FOr seats, I say go for the ones that have the cams that hold it onto the mounting bolts. With a twist of each, the entire seat comes off so easily to take it over to the tub to give it a full cleaning, in all nooks of the hinges as well.
Great information, thank you. I'm getting to Kohler chair-height toilets this week and I was contemplating getting the dual flush but I got the information I need now. 👍🏿
Another tip, you want to spend a bit more on the new toilets with a tornado type flush if you can (kohler revolution 360, american standard vormax or toto tornado) because they tend to not leave spots in the bowl and they also tend to be more powerful
My house has a 1957 standard toilet. It works really well and is easy to rebuild with replacement parts from any hardware store. I was considering replacing it with a 1.6 gpf, but may keep it based on posted comments about low volume toilets.
I think you might be surprised how great some of the modern toilets are! And with a toilet that old, you're using a TON of water. You might notice a change in your water bill with a new one (unless you're on well water).
My outlook as a plumber is that you can save water in other ways but when it comes to a toilet you want as much water as you can get to help it flush all that stuff out. Especially in older houses with cast iron pipes where the inside pipe wall is rough and cruddy over the years. Paper doesn’t want to flush out as well so the more water the better. Don’t want the water to outrun the paper
I hope you didn't change your toilet. Don't listen to the people who say that you are wasting water. The same people need to flush twice or thrice resulting to "wastage" anyway.
And she overlooks the most important point.... size of the toilet trap. efficent flushers have a 3" trap instead of 2" -2.5". Get a Titian By American Standard. The anti-microbial coating seams to only last a few months. Tall toilets might be easier to get up from, but the lower you are the better boast you'll have getting your business done. Finally don't skimp on good thick toilet bolts in brass. A broken toilet bolt can lead to undetected leaks and expensive subfloor rotting. From a remodeler of 26 years experience
With my problem knees, it's a bit painful for me to sit down on, then get up off of a low-height toilet. Comfort height is so much better for my knees. So I guess it's a trade-off. Besides, prune juice is a very good "business" inducer if my "movement" needs a push.
Great video. I've spent a few days researching and reviewing toilets, and you touched on all of the things that I found were important. I didn't know Toto was a top brand. Thanks.
I honestly still prefer vintage toilets, but if you want to find a new toilet that's good, a Toto Drake, a Gerber Viper, or a Kohler Class 5 or Class 6 are ideal choices. I personally don't recommend Glacier Bay, American Standard, or even Delta.
I am amazed how old-fashioned the American toilets look, including the one recommended in the link. In Germany, we mostly use wall mounted toilets with concealed in-wall tanks. This has been the predominant toilet for the past 30+ years. Very easy to clean and fairly easy to maintain, if using a good name brand.
@@MisterMikeTexas the big rectangle in the front can be opened to access any parts inside that may wear out. Germany does have the support infrastructure with wholesalers and local plumbers supporting these type of toilets including parts for many years. If the US does not provide that kind of long term support near the place the toilets are installed, it may not make as much sense. Geberit USA, does seem to provide good support though.
Appreciated your reviews. I just ordered and received a new toilet, and it's different from your recommendations, but, I hope it will work out. I needed something 25" deep or less, would have liked a two-piece but couldn't find one in that size. Would have liked a name brand but couldn't find the compact version. Would have liked to only buy the bowl, my old (50+ years) tank is still just fine, but the new ones are all too big. Thanks for your words.
My favorite toilet is the Mansfield Summit. They are manufactured in Perrysville, Ohio & offer a strong, vigorous effective flush. Mansfield has been around since 1929, & I love the quality of their fixtures. The Summit is available in round & elongated and is available at Lowes along with 3 other Models from Mansfield that are made in the U.S.A. I had to go with the round version because it is the only size that will fit in my bathroom. There is a video of it on my channel. I totally agree with you about avoiding one-piece & off-brand toilets.
You nailed it, I made a few of those mistakes after buying a Glacier Bay 1-piece, double-flush toilet. After experiencing clogging issues on a daily basis, I replaced it with an American Standard Champion toilet and couldn't be happier. I wish I watched this video 6 months ago :)
Glacier Bay is made by Kohler. There are only 3 makers of toilets today. American Standard (used to be the best but has slipped to third imo), Kohler (middle of the pack) and Toto. Toto makes the best by far and is the usual pick by professional plumbers for their own home. Everyone has an opinion and this is mine.
Yes, she really did! My new-to-me house has AS Champion toilets as well and they are the best toilets I've ever owned! The master bath is a tall "chair height" and I do prefer that height as well. I also replaced all of the seats/lids with wood soft-close ones. Basically, I came to all of the same conclusions as she did (except for the one about the coatings, I don't know if my toilets have such a coating.)
@@cgirl111 I'm not saying you're off point, but just want to add that many items or especially food products, are produced by major manufacturers but are usually scaled down. The scaling down can be made by either the brand name manufacturer or the distributor. Either to be a cheaper & more profitable for them or by the manufacturer to save their own product line sales. Either way, it's the trade off the buyer has to decide on.
I installed a Mansfield flush assembly and it allows you to control the flush. Push the handle down for 1 or 2 seconds and then up for liquid waste or leave it down for solid waste.
I just ordered a Toto washlet - so excited. I never thought I'd be able to afford a Toto, but yep they have a few models that are considered "entry level" washlet (bidet). They still cost a lot, but not thousands of dollars. The only downside it will take 4-6 weeks for it to get to the good old USA.
We were fortunate enough to get a Toto add-on seat bidet, also called a Washlet. It’s great! Especially in cold weather, when we don’t keep the bathroom particularly warm, the seat is heated, and so welcome! What a great invention! On the other side of the coin, our home center replacement toilet has poor (or no) glazing under the waterline! Trying to keep it clean is a nightmare! Next time I buy a toilet, I’ll open the box and examine the bottom of the bowl for a good, shiny, washable glaze!
I (an elderly male) was all set to buy an elongated unit to replace the current round one, but I actually measured. My very narrow bathroom already only has 9" between the bathtub and the front of the bowl. An elongated unit reduces that by 2 inches, making use… um… awkward. I'd prefer it, but an elongated bowl just isn't going to allow my leg to comfortably pass between toilet and tub, so I'm back to shopping for a round bowl unit.
Yeah, unfortunately some small bathrooms can be tough that way. Someone in the comments had mentioned that there are some elongated ones that fit in the size of the round ones, so there might be options that work for you - I think you just need to carefully watch the measurements for such a tight space.
@@tpolerex7282 Then my house has been in violation since it was built in 1954. Since the comment I wrote 4 months ago, I bought a round-front replacement unit, but found it uncomfortable to use, so I spent the money and replaced the replacement with an elongated unit that actually has the same clearance in front as the original round front unit. Still not 2', though…
@@tpolerex7282 Agreed, but I can't afford a remodel (house footprint is less than 800 sq. ft.). Can't enlarge bathroom, just unhappy with original unit's performance. Elongated replacement fixes performance issue(s), and that's all I wanted.
3:15 "changing the toilet seat [on a skirted toilet] can be a real pain". That's an understatement. To change the toilet seat (or even just tightening the toilet seat) on a skirted toilet REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE TO PULL THE ENTIRE TOILET OFF OF THE FLOOR JUST TO REACH THE TOILET SEAT FASTENING HARDWARE! Then, to do it properly, you will need to put in a new wax ring when you reinstall the toilet.
I agree with you that one-piece toilets are heavier, but you will never have a leaking joint between the tank and the bowl, it will save you a lot of trouble in the future or the expense of a plumber. I agree with you that skirted toilet are more difficult to install, should leave to a pro. I saw the tricks the pro used when he installed mine, so maybe I could do it in the future. Check special promotions; I bought mine at Home Depot installation included!
General overview of operational planning for that most practical throne room installation. Quality always plays an integral role in determining the best possible outcome.
Awesome and very informative video. Good job. I have one question though: When you did the rough in measurement don't you supposed to measure from the wall to the middle mounting screw on the toilet? You measured the bottom wall molding and not starting at the back of the wall. Did I miss something or am I right?
Yes, you should go to the wall but measuring to the molding will get you close enough because it's going to be either 10" or 12". You are correct though!
I just went through this. Measuring including the baseboard measured 10 3/4” and measuring from the wall and being a couple inches above the bolt because where you had to put the measuring tape against the wall, it shows 11 1/4”. Knowing nothing about plumbing, would I consider that a 10” or 12” rough in?
Most toilets are pretty good, but one brand I would absolutely not recommend is glacier bay. Their toilets have horrible bowl rinse and tiny trapway, which means they’re easy to block up. They’re also very prone to breaking due to being made of poor quality porcelain.
I have had good luck with glacier bay except that they are extremely fragile and require extra care when handling them. For the price they are okay as long as you know to be very careful when handling or installing them.
I’m a plumber and I approve of everything you mentioned. Especially about dual flush and sticking to quality manufacturers. Skirted toilets suck and you will pay a premium to have one installed.
We’ve always had round seats mostly due to space but I get what you are saying lol. We purchased a Duravit elongated and I HATE it (I bought online) due to the seat. I am not a waif at 130 lbs 5’5” but i seem to “sink” into the toilet due to lack of side support (same width as my rounded one) and my feet tip toe on the floor as a result. Same height as our other toilet with a rounded seat which does not bother me. My legs fall asleep and that’s bad for your back. Also let’s not forget the intricacies on the underside of the Duravit toilet seat - what on earth were they thinking with the grooves????? The seat is so hard to clean! It’s a skirted toilet which I love but they went the other direction with the seat. The underside of the seat also stains and I’m a clean freak. It turns to yellowed old plastic (mine is installed 2019) like a kids toy that got water damage and it drives me mad that it looks dirty. I clean my toilets daily!! We have a holding tank, and I have to disagree about the dual flushing system. Great video!
@@lorrainemyers3352 I actually don’t know. It was the only one that Lowe’s on Hawaii Island carried. They have a hard time keeping that one toilet in stock too!
My favorite toilet that I can buy is the Project Source Pro Flush. Despite being a low cost store brand toilet, they work well and the parts are easy to find. I also prefer standard height because it's better for your health and high flow toilets are better for your plumbing and they work better too.
I bought 2 to replace TOTO which last about 10 years. The coatings worn off and the build-up has to be cleaned every months which it's become high maintenance piece. To me, brand names are good but I probably replace them more frequent if something breaks. Warranty good luck to that calling, waiting, all these time wasted. I don't buy warranty, period. I replace them when something breaks.
@@g600f700 You having to clean minerals out means that those toilets were not removing everything from the bowl when they flushed. You'd think a company like Toto with their crazy prices would at least be able to come up with something that doesn't clog up with minerals. Back in the old days, people used to have the same toilet for over 50 years because they actually built them to last and they didn't get replaced every 10 years or less. Even if it means paying a few hundred dollars, I think it's totally worth it.
@@OCC_Plumbing_and_Restorations To be fair, it worked for about 8-9 years and then the build-up started. They did not say how long the coating will last. I think everything will age, it just the expected time like 1-2 years vs 10 years. I am pretty ok to replace it every 8-10years. The difference between $99 toilet vs $500 toilet, it's the design, brand and maybe some features. Unless someone test the coatings how long it last, I cannot tell from user perspective.
@@g600f700 The way I see it, replacing your toilet every 10 years is just crazy. My toilet was the builder's choice from the time and here it is working flawlessly 62 years later. Tank parts have been replaced now and then but the toilet should last for a long long time. I have other toilets in their 90s and hundreds with the coating still perfectly intact and many that are newer as well. The coating should last forever but sometimes I see it start to break down after as low as 50 years. If you are seeing the coating break down before that, there is something terribly wrong or it might be buildup of minerals on the coating.
After we moved into our house we discovered very quickly that the terlits the house came with struggled to flush more than a few sheets of terlit paper. As a freakishly large person, nothing I squeeze out is small. The terlits would back up. I had to buy another plunger for our house because the rental we came from only had one thrown. However after only a month of constantly having to plunge after every BM. I went shopping for brand new terlits. I went to a plumbing supply store with a showroom. I asked for a terlit that could flush a battleship. They directed me to American Standard with a Flushmate 2 pressure vessel. After I installed them in my home. What a huge difference! Turned out that the terlits my house came with had a very small trap in them. Hence why anything more than a few sheets of paper clogged them up. Before tossing what were considered “newish” terlits. I took a sledgehammer to them so no one could use them again. Last thing I wanted was someone thinking it would work? Not those.
Ohhh ..... What a Great Topic ....!!! Until you've wrestled with it you Just Don't Know ...lol... 1. Look for a Fully Glazed Trapway ..! Particularly if your water is hard, the glazed trapway definitely slows or prevents the accumulation of hard deposits along the flushroute ... Most of the newer toilets now have this. 2. I agree the American Standard Champ 4 with the canister flush system will flush animals down the toilet, though they will get stuck at the flange ...lol.... I personally have a Kohler Class 3 canister flush .... ( 1 in. Diff.) And it too is a beast when flushing...!!! Why the Kohler you ask ? I needed one in Ice Grey . American Standard does not have the range of colors that Kohler has ... **** Other Point About The Flush ! Below your flange , some plumbing goes straight down, which is the best by far.... But a lot of plumbing has a curve just below the flange... It works, but doesn't produce the same downward force as the straight piping . 2 .... Mine is Enlongated and here's why .... A. It's easier for the girls to sit and have more room for any maintenance down below, including monthly routines.. B. As some men age ... Sitting is preferable for peeing because of various prostate issues . It actually is easier to relax muscles and pee sitting.... It allows more room in front of you while sitting for aiming ....lol ... Plus no one fights about the seat being up or down anymore ! What am I talking about a "Canister Flush" .... depending on the brand, a 3 or 4 inch round canister lifts up instead of a partial way flapper . This allows a lot of water to rush down with no obstruction .... It's a superior system to a flap ! Hope these extra tidbits help .... If it's plain old white, the American Standard 4" Canister is tops....... If your into colors, the Kohler is almost neck and neck .... And remember the fully Glazed Trapway ! 🙂
Agreed on all points except the height. We installed two comfort height (taller) toilets and no one in my family likes that aspect. Unless everyone in your home is tall, or you enjoy popping on your tip toes, I'd recomend the standard height.
@@travelguy1564 Exactly! I am not short at 5'10'', and I already think that standard-height toilets are tall enough. They make my legs go dormant because I prefer to be in a more squat position. In some countries, the toilet is a hole in the floor, which many say is healthier. That's how humans have gone to the bathroom for many, many thousands of years. Why would you want the opposite? Ok old people with joint aches, sure, but not the majority of people.
Round toilets are only for when space requires it. Enlongated can get in the way of the door or otherwise cramp space or even break code. I helped someone out who bought an extremly expensive toilet thinking that was the best thing. The rough-in didn't match, it was one piece, and skirted. Biggest pain ever!! You hit those points spot on. Toilets should be basic utilitarian pieces not art.
Mansfield makes very good toilets too. I have the Summit model and love it, good strong flush with 3 inch flapper - most others are just 2 inch so not as strong on the flushing. And mine has a light flush, about 1.18 gal, and the full flush 1.6 gal. Even the light flush works great!
Brilliant video. I think you just saved me from buying a skirted toilet. I'm function-over-form and being able to easily change the seat is a feature worth having.
I do hate cleaning all the curves and corners on the sides of a toilet though. And around the flange bolts. The floor always has hair which is magically attracted to the toilet as soon as a rag comes near. So maybe not so bad?
Skirted toilets are easier to install, at least the Koehler ones are. They have a ReadyLock system where the wax ring goes and it means you can more easily align the toilet with the pipe. The assembly is quick and easy.
I have a Kohler lower toilet and like it because things just come out better in the end. And a 1.3 gal flush over a 1.6 is every fifth flush being free.
Do you have any recommendation for a good quality toilet seat? Yes, I agree with the soft close feature, and I prefer the solid sturdiness of a wood seat. But it seems that after a short time the front underside of the seat discolors, and no amount of cleaning gets it white again. Is there a seat brand better than others, a product that cleans this better, or a coating of some kind that would prevent such staining?
They make actual Tall toilets now they're 19" from ground to lip its a who!e 2 1/2" taller than comfort at 16 1/2" I was AMAZED! LOVE IT as we're all over 6'2" and up lol
Elongated toilets are indeed the best and Toto is our brand of choice. That said, we do have a skirted one piece toilet (actually 3) and wouldn’t trade them for anything. We just moved homes and I tore out the brand new toilets and bought Toto’s to replace them. I’m 73 and did the job by myself - no difficulty at all!
American Standard has a much better warranty and customer service than Kohler. Single piece is simpler to install and eliminates potential for leakage at joint between the two pieces.
As I said, you can get repair parts for AS almost anywhere-very important! Same with faucets-these fancy battery-powered "touch on-off". Not in MY house! When a city line breaks and grit and sand gets in YOUR side of the water line and ruins the guts of the toilet and faucet at 3 AM (been there more than once ) I don't want to have to run to a dozen places for PARTS on a sub-zero day with icy streets and 3/4 of the stores closed! Ain't gonna get a plumber for a week at BEST, so I better be able to fix it!
Great advice. I’m not a plumber--just an “older person with bad knees”, and also recommend spending the extra $50-$100 for the ADA (17-inch height) commode. We’re all gonna be “old” sometime (if we’re lucky).
Hmmmm....biggest mistake for me was buying the more common floor-outlet toilet, when in fact I needed a rear-outlet toilet. Should be noted that if you live in a high-rise building, there's a good chance you will need a rear-outlet model. This was a specification I never knew anything about, but is the most important because if the sewage drainage is in the wall rather than the floor, you won't be able to install a floor-outlet model at all, never mind fret about how comfortable it is.
Was thinking doing my toilet next month, slowly replcing few things in bathroom before major construction and hire someone. save this for later, thanks!
My current favorite toilet: bit.ly/3n9B35i
OK my floor is roughed in at 14 inches and the toilet that I have is designed to be roughed in at 12 inches. Which means there are is 2 inches of empty space between tank and wall but if you bought a 12 inch Rough in toilet and your home was roughed in at 10 inches then you would have a bit of a problem!
@@Hezelcarl1 that's true! It's not the end of the world to have too much space but not enough space is not gonna work. :)
Hey, great buyer's guide; thanks! We are in the market for a new toilet for our main floor and (I lie to you not) we were just at Home Depot last night looking at the American Standard VorMax. Can you tell me; does it have a foam (or other) liner on the tank interior so it doesn't sweat? That is the only feature we found as a standout on the Titan model at Menards but VorMax's box doesn't state anything about that. - Jeffrey
@@jeffreykostecki2659 it does not have a foam insert - I think that's a pretty rare feature to find.
What about the KOHLER MEMOIRS WHITE Elongated chair height 2 PIECE WATER SENCE TOILET?
I LOVE A RUclipsR WHO GETS RIGHT INTO THE TOPIC!!! It's much appreciated as opposed to the many YT creators that insist on superfluous commentary for the first minute or so of the video
Glad I could help!
I don’t know what I searched/looked at to get this in my recommendations, but it made me curious, so now I’m watching a toilet buying guide even though I don’t need a toilet.
You don't think you do.
You are SO right. I’m elderly and disabled and I bought the wrong toilet and now I have to get a new toilet and seat. The toilet I have now is elongated but has a cheap thin plastic seat that sticks to my skin every time I stand up. The bowl is not big enough so it doesn’t put enough water in to cover the poo. Not enough water means the poo won’t flush down properly and with some of the poo in the air and not in the water it smells. I don’t have antimicrobial either so after a few days there is an awful blackish mold type ring in the bowl.
Clear, concise, and no rambling stories about irrelevant, off-topic things. Nice
What's funny is getting used to your slow-close seat and then "BAM" when you're at someone's house.
I recommend you check inside the tank for a large flapper on the flush valve. Be sure the store stocks repair parts, not “parts are free just call the number inside the tank” unless you want to be without a working toilet until the part arrives. Also look in the bowl for the small hole at the bottom, the larger the hole the better flush.
As a plumber, I agree stick with namebrand parts of easier to find, and I dislike installing skirted toilet
I made sure I measured and got the right size for the two toilets we just replaced. They are elongated and ADA-complient because we knew, now that we're getting older, it would be easier to get on and off. The Toto Drake is what we got after a ton of research and it ticks all your boxes, including the slow close seat. These Totos we now have are amazing. Zero regrets.
Best on the market is American standard champion 4 I’m a master plumb! This thing will flush a meatloaf! Comes with everything in the box for installation ❤
Flush a meatloaf! lmao!! Is that in the pan or outside the pan?
We installed two of these a few months ago at the recommendation of a friend she said they flush anything.
We love them. They would flush a meatloaf! lol
List price $1,048 sale in price $680! No thanks. I'll just eat the meatloaf and flush it in smaller portions.
Meatloaf 😂 hell NAW 👋🏾
Don't let this guy lie to you. American standard 4 is the biggest piece of crap there is. It clogs ALL the time and is in unplungable. Stay away if your smart, don't fall for the hipe like I did
Got an American Standard that checked all these boxes, plus with two flappers that cleared up the regular slow draining we used to fight with, and a and a bowl swirl port.
Best toilet out there.
Excellent video with very accurate information. The only thing to add is that the slick finishes on the high-end toilets, although great in keeping it clean and flushing better, are quite fragile compared to regular porcelain and no hard brushes or harsh chemicals (absolutely no bleach) should be used on them, especially inside the bowl. Use a sponge and dish detergent to clean the toilet with those special slick surfaces.
I am totally surprised that this video answers EVERY question I had about getting a replacement toilet. Thanks for an informative video.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks!
You're welcome! And thanks for the gift!
I’ve done it myself but last time hired a plumber, he recommended Toto which I never thought of, he was right, it is great. It uses very little water but flushes extremely well.
We've had two Gerber toilets for over ten years and they have been excellent, very efficient and dependable.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL ANALYSIS. Some of the other videos don't begin to cover these important considerations. So THANK YOU. What about a 3" flap instead of a 2" and a minimum 2" ptrap... or don't those things matter much? Would have liked to know how to measure the rough-in. The following was helpful:
"Measure from the wall behind the toilet to the center of one of the closet bolts (which hold the toilet down). If the toilet has four closet bolts, measure to the center of one of the rear ones. Then measure from the center of the mounting holes to the back of the new toilet you're considering. Compare these two measurements. If the base of the new toilet is shorter than the distance between the rear bolt holes and the wall, it should fit."
Also, thanks for not having a long, flashy intro that only wastes people's time.
Great points! I've had a short, round toilet for the past 17 years and it's got to go. Mainly because it doesn't flush all that well anymore, but that shape and size has always annoyed me, too.
As a 70 yr old, I speak from experience when I say, get a bidet toilet!! Got our first about 3 yrs ago and wish I had done so yrs ago.
Can you get one with an enema feature?
You missed the biggest mistake which is not getting a bidet
Why?
@@gtt85 they’re amazing, especially the ones that have a seat warmer. Keeps your butt waaay cleaner than toilet paper alone.
@@AryaStarkyread your comment wrong. Thought you said the mistake was getting a bidet. I love mine.
Bidets are nasty. They just spread the filth around. Part of being civilized is washing there with soap and water afterward. Take a shower!
Man here…yes, elongated is the preference however, sometimes if you have a small powder room or you are just installing a toilet in a small space then round is a better choice. Kohler is an excellent brand however they have been rolling out a new proprietary flush mechanism called an aqua-piston which is a water saving mechanism. Lots of videos here on YT showing they don’t flush as reliably and consistently as a standard flapper flush mechanism thus requiring more flushes so you are not really saving water. The lower gasket washer is difficult to install and frequently leaks. As if all of that wasn’t enough you can only get aqua piston parts direct from Kohler. They are not available from big box stores or even commercial plumbing supply stores. Avoid the aqua piston mechanism from Kohler!
Great video. I was about to buy a dual flush, and a plumber warned me that they can be really hard to fix, so scratched that.
I'm glad the video helped!
Plus the buttons are on top of the tank where we usually keep a box of tissues.
Also how do u clean it? It's just gross!
As long as one can read a book whilst I poop I’m content
The worst thing is trying to do a BM while almost sitting in a chair posture! it makes it much more difficult and one of the reasons other countries elsewhere use a squat toilet, squatting is THE natural position to do this NOT sitting upright! The squatting position or bent over at least is the one that helps the process a LOT.
It can be hard to get out of a low seating, so may need to have a grab handle on the wall. Or one can have a higher toilet and foot stool to raise the legs. The choice is then which accessory one prefers, foot stool or grab handle.
“Squats potty”
Sorry, “Squatty potty” with chair height is the way to go!
All I see here is someone who needs to eat more fiber. It shouldn't be so challenging to accomplish...
This has been proven to be true. The bowel gets better evacuation in squatted position. However, if the lower position is physically difficult to achieve, as mentioned in comments, a small platform or railing may help.
Kohler makes a compact elongated toilet that fits in the same space as a round front toilet. And, it is a good toilet! Shorter toilets are better physiologically and should be the go-to unless you are dealing with older people who may have trouble getting on and off of a shorter toilet.
My husband and I are both much taller than average. We would never settle for a regular height toilet in our home.
@@jesseostone386 Yes, the comfort height makes it a lot easier to get on and off of, but @JesseO Stone is has a valid point, our bodies were designed to be in a squatting position when having a bowel movement. Higher toilets can lead to other physiological problems, such as contributing to constipation and failing to have a full evacuation.
The champion is the champion! I bought a heated toilet seat on eBay several years ago and it's still working. Just warm enough to avoid that shock factor of an ice cold seat in the winter.
Great video. I just purchased 3 chair height, elongated American standard toilets yesterday without knowing American standard was a top 3. My feelings have elevated after watching this.
Awesome! Best of luck with the install.
Hi how are they working
Threes are working just fine.... easy install, no issues.
@@BCO216 ok thanks
Rhonda, you're so welcome. I hope I was able to help.
When we did over our washroom, I researched toilets for two weeks. Finally bought an American Standard Optum Vormax, look up some videos, you will see why.
Did you look at the Toto Drake? That's what I'm thinking about getting. Do you think the Optum Vormax is better? I watched a plumber and he was saying AS is the "lowest" of the three (Toto, Kohler, AS). Let me know your .02. Thanks.
what was the price ?
@@terryvlunsford1610 $280.00 +tax (Canadian)
This was awesome! We had to buy a toilet quickly, and your advice was incredibly helpful!! Thanks so much I look forward to more videos from you
Glad I could help!
Standard Height and round bowl for me. I'm not tall so this works well for me. I have a KOHLER Wellworth toilet bought in 2015 and has been flawless.
Did a mini bathroom makeover in my condo last month including new vanity, medicine cabinet, lighting/ fan and flooring. I decided to keep the same toilet. Bought on sale at the time for $128 then take 10% off for the military discount.
This model has been made since the 60's.
Awesome! Glad you found a good one!
The other issue I recently discovered about a one piece toilet is the curved transition between the seat and tank. The Toto bidet does not fit well because of the rounded space…
When I reno’d my bathrm my plumber suggested a “comfort height”. Bought it, HATED it. I’m 5’4” and the extra height was very uncomfortable. I ended up giving it away and went back to regular height. If you’re short (5’4” and under) stick with regular height.
Good tip! I'm pretty tall so I didn't think to say that.
I did the same thing, Lenore. After having to squat to, "take care of business" during work hours I realized what a comfortable position that was. Cut to redoing the bathroom and I purchased a toilet that was too tall even when I'm 5'9". I'll be returning to a shorter unit directly.
I just looked at those ❤Thanks
Taller toilets put our anatomy in a less efficient and less healthy position. This results in increased straining. Technically, we're built to poop squatting. So it's not smart to install higher toilets. The lower choice is better for your body. Also, the lower potty keeps your sit muscles in good shape. The tall version may be more "comfort" but that's a false economy. The older u are the more important it is to keep your thigh muscles optimal. Ask any gastroenterologist.
@@Julia.Mandelbrotyeah tell my knees that I’m 6’3” 270lbs the house I moved into had a standard height toilet and Jesus getting in position to wipe my ass was a pain
I very very VERY much agree on the slow-close toilet seat!!! My wife and I were remodeling both bathrooms, and she asked why I bought the more expensive toilet seat, I answered that "it is the cure to most bathroom problems." She was qurious and I asked, what is our greatest problem and she said that "I don't lower the seat." I said that men don't mind lifting a seat but don't want to lower them. I showed her how this seat can be tapped, and it closes itself. She AGREED that it WAS the answer!
Hi from Southern California. I replaced both my toilets in 2016 with dual flush and am perfectly happy. American Standard. In 2022 I discovered some water on the floor in the downstairs bathroom and fou d that the tank had a hairline crack.
I was out of warranty but my plumber suggested I call American Standard to explain and ask them "just to verify the correct replacement tank model". They sent me an entire new toilet, free of charge. So, very pleased.
Oh wow that's great service!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Customer Service is a HUGE selling point when it comes to making [any] purchase! Stuff happens and things break down. Most people just want to know there will be someone from the company there to help if that should happen to them.
Our plumber (35 years experience) has been with us for the last 8 years so we trust him. He told my husband and I he'd gladly put in any toilet we choose, (and he would!) but recommends American Standard. He was up-front to us about the fact that, yes, they are easy to install but more than that, parts are readily available if need be. (Only having one bathroom in our home, that's important!) So we were trying to choose from the A.S. product line...
But for every positive comment we read about - well, ANY given brand of toilet - there's literally ALWAYS a negative one. We subscribe to Consumer Reports and we STILL didn't know which way to go. (lol!)
But your statement about customer service is a GREAT reminder that a product is only as good as the company that stands behind what they manufacture. Thank you for that!
So the search for a new toilet continues, but I'm thinking we will keep American Standard at the top of the list.
If you buy a skirted toilet be sure to check your supply line location. Must be 4-5 inches to the right side because skirted toilets fit right up against the wall so no room for the supply line behind the toilet.
Yes! Excellent point! We had one bathroom that would not fit a skirted because of the supply line location.
Depends on the manufacturer of the skirted toilet. American Standard skirted toilets allow the shut-off valve to be located behind the toilet and out of site, but the supply line should exit the wall or the floor 2-1/4" from the drain center.
FOr seats, I say go for the ones that have the cams that hold it onto the mounting bolts. With a twist of each, the entire seat comes off so easily to take it over to the tub to give it a full cleaning, in all nooks of the hinges as well.
???????
Can you provide a link to one, or a picture of what you’re talking about?
Great information, thank you. I'm getting to Kohler chair-height toilets this week and I was contemplating getting the dual flush but I got the information I need now. 👍🏿
Glad it was helpful! Good luck with your project!
Another tip, you want to spend a bit more on the new toilets with a tornado type flush if you can (kohler revolution 360, american standard vormax or toto tornado) because they tend to not leave spots in the bowl and they also tend to be more powerful
Excellent checklist! I am just in the process of buying a new toilet so this advice will be a great guide-thank you!
My house has a 1957 standard toilet. It works really well and is easy to rebuild with replacement parts from any hardware store. I was considering replacing it with a 1.6 gpf, but may keep it based on posted comments about low volume toilets.
I think you might be surprised how great some of the modern toilets are! And with a toilet that old, you're using a TON of water. You might notice a change in your water bill with a new one (unless you're on well water).
Your 1957 toilet uses 5 gallons every time you flush it! Please do your part to care about our natural resources.
@@travelguy1564 I live in a city that is on a river. No shortage of water. We worry about flooding. Also, I pay for every gallon I use.
My outlook as a plumber is that you can save water in other ways but when it comes to a toilet you want as much water as you can get to help it flush all that stuff out. Especially in older houses with cast iron pipes where the inside pipe wall is rough and cruddy over the years. Paper doesn’t want to flush out as well so the more water the better. Don’t want the water to outrun the paper
I hope you didn't change your toilet. Don't listen to the people who say that you are wasting water. The same people need to flush twice or thrice resulting to "wastage" anyway.
And she overlooks the most important point.... size of the toilet trap. efficent flushers have a 3" trap instead of 2" -2.5". Get a Titian By American Standard. The anti-microbial coating seams to only last a few months. Tall toilets might be easier to get up from, but the lower you are the better boast you'll have getting your business done. Finally don't skimp on good thick toilet bolts in brass. A broken toilet bolt can lead to undetected leaks and expensive subfloor rotting. From a remodeler of 26 years experience
@malcolmthompson9848 undetected toilet leak rotted my subfloor and messed up the ceiling below. Smh😢.
With my problem knees, it's a bit painful for me to sit down on, then get up off of a low-height toilet. Comfort height is so much better for my knees. So I guess it's a trade-off. Besides, prune juice is a very good "business" inducer if my "movement" needs a push.
Great video. I've spent a few days researching and reviewing toilets, and you touched on all of the things that I found were important. I didn't know Toto was a top brand. Thanks.
I'm glad you liked the video!
I honestly still prefer vintage toilets, but if you want to find a new toilet that's good, a Toto Drake, a Gerber Viper, or a Kohler Class 5 or Class 6 are ideal choices.
I personally don't recommend Glacier Bay, American Standard, or even Delta.
Than the 1 pc? My mum bought 2 pc i wonder if that is a good thing
Toto Drake II is the best.
I prefer vintage plumbing also.
I am amazed how old-fashioned the American toilets look, including the one recommended in the link. In Germany, we mostly use wall mounted toilets with concealed in-wall tanks. This has been the predominant toilet for the past 30+ years. Very easy to clean and fairly easy to maintain, if using a good name brand.
I've seen those and I don't think you can even buy them here (at least they're not readily available). They definitely look easier to clean!
But what if one of the valves goes out of tune? How do you access inside the tank if needed?
@@MisterMikeTexas the big rectangle in the front can be opened to access any parts inside that may wear out. Germany does have the support infrastructure with wholesalers and local plumbers supporting these type of toilets including parts for many years. If the US does not provide that kind of long term support near the place the toilets are installed, it may not make as much sense. Geberit USA, does seem to provide good support though.
Appreciated your reviews. I just ordered and received a new toilet, and it's different from your recommendations, but, I hope it will work out. I needed something 25" deep or less, would have liked a two-piece but couldn't find one in that size. Would have liked a name brand but couldn't find the compact version. Would have liked to only buy the bowl, my old (50+ years) tank is still just fine, but the new ones are all too big. Thanks for your words.
My favorite toilet is the Mansfield Summit. They are manufactured in Perrysville, Ohio & offer a strong, vigorous effective flush. Mansfield has been around since 1929, & I love the quality of their fixtures. The Summit is available in round & elongated and is available at Lowes along with 3 other Models from Mansfield that are made in the U.S.A. I had to go with the round version because it is the only size that will fit in my bathroom. There is a video of it on my channel. I totally agree with you about avoiding one-piece & off-brand toilets.
Thanks for the tip!
This sounds strangely like a commercial. The plumbing supply house I work for stopped carrying Mansfield.
Best youtube review I've ever seen. Straight totnhe point
Kohler has a toilet that is an extra 2 and a half inches taller than the competition. Thank you for this informative video.
Great video. It's also worth mentioning that one piece toilets are usually more compact and stand out from the wall less.
You nailed it, I made a few of those mistakes after buying a Glacier Bay 1-piece, double-flush toilet. After experiencing clogging issues on a daily basis, I replaced it with an American Standard Champion toilet and couldn't be happier. I wish I watched this video 6 months ago :)
Aw well, I'm glad you're happy with your new toilet! Who knew it could be such a tough choice!!
I did the same, never will be cheap GB toilets again, terrible
Glacier Bay is made by Kohler. There are only 3 makers of toilets today. American Standard (used to be the best but has slipped to third imo), Kohler (middle of the pack) and Toto. Toto makes the best by far and is the usual pick by professional plumbers for their own home. Everyone has an opinion and this is mine.
Yes, she really did! My new-to-me house has AS Champion toilets as well and they are the best toilets I've ever owned! The master bath is a tall "chair height" and I do prefer that height as well. I also replaced all of the seats/lids with wood soft-close ones. Basically, I came to all of the same conclusions as she did (except for the one about the coatings, I don't know if my toilets have such a coating.)
@@cgirl111 I'm not saying you're off point, but just want to add that many items or especially food products, are produced by major manufacturers but are usually scaled down. The scaling down can be made by either the brand name manufacturer or the distributor. Either to be a cheaper & more profitable for them or by the manufacturer to save their own product line sales. Either way, it's the trade off the buyer has to decide on.
I installed a Mansfield flush assembly and it allows you to control the flush. Push the handle down for 1 or 2 seconds and then up for liquid waste or leave it down for solid waste.
I just ordered a Toto washlet - so excited. I never thought I'd be able to afford a Toto, but yep they have a few models that are considered "entry level" washlet (bidet). They still cost a lot, but not thousands of dollars. The only downside it will take 4-6 weeks for it to get to the good old USA.
We were fortunate enough to get a Toto add-on seat bidet, also called a Washlet. It’s great! Especially in cold weather, when we don’t keep the bathroom particularly warm, the seat is heated, and so welcome! What a great invention!
On the other side of the coin, our home center replacement toilet has poor (or no) glazing under the waterline! Trying to keep it clean is a nightmare! Next time I buy a toilet, I’ll open the box and examine the bottom of the bowl for a good, shiny, washable glaze!
I (an elderly male) was all set to buy an elongated unit to replace the current round one, but I actually measured. My very narrow bathroom already only has 9" between the bathtub and the front of the bowl. An elongated unit reduces that by 2 inches, making use… um… awkward. I'd prefer it, but an elongated bowl just isn't going to allow my leg to comfortably pass between toilet and tub, so I'm back to shopping for a round bowl unit.
Yeah, unfortunately some small bathrooms can be tough that way. Someone in the comments had mentioned that there are some elongated ones that fit in the size of the round ones, so there might be options that work for you - I think you just need to carefully watch the measurements for such a tight space.
Code is minimum 2’-0” clear from front of toilet to fixed surface, 9” is crazy tight!
@@tpolerex7282 Then my house has been in violation since it was built in 1954. Since the comment I wrote 4 months ago, I bought a round-front replacement unit, but found it uncomfortable to use, so I spent the money and replaced the replacement with an elongated unit that actually has the same clearance in front as the original round front unit. Still not 2', though…
@@rayschoch5882 obviously code has been updated since 1954, it is a good guideline for today though for remodeling if possible.
@@tpolerex7282 Agreed, but I can't afford a remodel (house footprint is less than 800 sq. ft.). Can't enlarge bathroom, just unhappy with original unit's performance. Elongated replacement fixes performance issue(s), and that's all I wanted.
3:15 "changing the toilet seat [on a skirted toilet] can be a real pain". That's an understatement. To change the toilet seat (or even just tightening the toilet seat) on a skirted toilet REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE TO PULL THE ENTIRE TOILET OFF OF THE FLOOR JUST TO REACH THE TOILET SEAT FASTENING HARDWARE! Then, to do it properly, you will need to put in a new wax ring when you reinstall the toilet.
I agree with you that one-piece toilets are heavier, but you will never have a leaking joint between the tank and the bowl, it will save you a lot of trouble in the future or the expense of a plumber. I agree with you that skirted toilet are more difficult to install, should leave to a pro. I saw the tricks the pro used when he installed mine, so maybe I could do it in the future. Check special promotions; I bought mine at Home Depot installation included!
25 year plumber here - all your points are spot on! Especially regarding the elongated bowl for the men. Any man using an elongated bowl will agree!
Thanks!
General overview of operational planning for that most practical throne room installation.
Quality always plays an integral role in determining the best possible outcome.
Awesome and very informative video. Good job. I have one question though: When you did the rough in measurement don't you supposed to measure from the wall to the middle mounting screw on the toilet? You measured the bottom wall molding and not starting at the back of the wall. Did I miss something or am I right?
Yes, you should go to the wall but measuring to the molding will get you close enough because it's going to be either 10" or 12". You are correct though!
I just went through this. Measuring including the baseboard measured 10 3/4” and measuring from the wall and being a couple inches above the bolt because where you had to put the measuring tape against the wall, it shows 11 1/4”. Knowing nothing about plumbing, would I consider that a 10” or 12” rough in?
Most toilets are pretty good, but one brand I would absolutely not recommend is glacier bay. Their toilets have horrible bowl rinse and tiny trapway, which means they’re easy to block up. They’re also very prone to breaking due to being made of poor quality porcelain.
Wow, and that was my second choice
I have had good luck with glacier bay except that they are extremely fragile and require extra care when handling them. For the price they are okay as long as you know to be very careful when handling or installing them.
@@terryvlunsford1610 there's 2-3 models that are ok, but most of them are awful.
DISAGREE!
The coating on the American Standard lasted a few years, now it won't flush clean anymore with a brushing.
I’m a plumber and I approve of everything you mentioned. Especially about dual flush and sticking to quality manufacturers.
Skirted toilets suck and you will pay a premium to have one installed.
Great video short sweet and to the point and good things to think about. Thanks
Glad you liked it! Thanks!
Thanks for the link and saving me from having to put any thought into my toilet purchase! It's going to be great! :)
Hope you enjoy it! 😀
We’ve always had round seats mostly due to space but I get what you are saying lol.
We purchased a Duravit elongated and I HATE it (I bought online) due to the seat. I am not a waif at 130 lbs 5’5” but i seem to “sink” into the toilet due to lack of side support (same width as my rounded one) and my feet tip toe on the floor as a result. Same height as our other toilet with a rounded seat which does not bother me. My legs fall asleep and that’s bad for your back.
Also let’s not forget the intricacies on the underside of the Duravit toilet seat - what on earth were they thinking with the grooves????? The seat is so hard to clean!
It’s a skirted toilet which I love but they went the other direction with the seat. The underside of the seat also stains and I’m a clean freak. It turns to yellowed old plastic (mine is installed 2019) like a kids toy that got water damage and it drives me mad that it looks dirty. I clean my toilets daily!!
We have a holding tank, and I have to disagree about the dual flushing system.
Great video!
Plumber here. I approve this message. All great wonderful points. 👍🏻
Awesome! Thank you!
I have a skirted toilet and my husband installed it without any difficulty. It was a Kohler toilet. We then added a Toto bidet seat.
Which Kohler skirted toilet did you get? I'm thinking of getting the Reach one.
@@lorrainemyers3352 I actually don’t know. It was the only one that Lowe’s on Hawaii Island carried. They have a hard time keeping that one toilet in stock too!
Short video and straight to the point. Thanks
Nice presentation style. Thank you!
My favorite toilet that I can buy is the Project Source Pro Flush. Despite being a low cost store brand toilet, they work well and the parts are easy to find. I also prefer standard height because it's better for your health and high flow toilets are better for your plumbing and they work better too.
Thanks for the tips!
I bought 2 to replace TOTO which last about 10 years. The coatings worn off and the build-up has to be cleaned every months which it's become high maintenance piece. To me, brand names are good but I probably replace them more frequent if something breaks. Warranty good luck to that calling, waiting, all these time wasted. I don't buy warranty, period. I replace them when something breaks.
@@g600f700 You having to clean minerals out means that those toilets were not removing everything from the bowl when they flushed. You'd think a company like Toto with their crazy prices would at least be able to come up with something that doesn't clog up with minerals. Back in the old days, people used to have the same toilet for over 50 years because they actually built them to last and they didn't get replaced every 10 years or less. Even if it means paying a few hundred dollars, I think it's totally worth it.
@@OCC_Plumbing_and_Restorations To be fair, it worked for about 8-9 years and then the build-up started. They did not say how long the coating will last. I think everything will age, it just the expected time like 1-2 years vs 10 years. I am pretty ok to replace it every 8-10years. The difference between $99 toilet vs $500 toilet, it's the design, brand and maybe some features. Unless someone test the coatings how long it last, I cannot tell from user perspective.
@@g600f700 The way I see it, replacing your toilet every 10 years is just crazy. My toilet was the builder's choice from the time and here it is working flawlessly 62 years later. Tank parts have been replaced now and then but the toilet should last for a long long time. I have other toilets in their 90s and hundreds with the coating still perfectly intact and many that are newer as well. The coating should last forever but sometimes I see it start to break down after as low as 50 years. If you are seeing the coating break down before that, there is something terribly wrong or it might be buildup of minerals on the coating.
I just bought a toilet based on your advice, thanks!!
Glad could help!
Informative, fast paced information delivery. 👍
Thanks! I'm trying to get better at making videos useful and as fast as possible!
After we moved into our house we discovered very quickly that the terlits the house came with struggled to flush more than a few sheets of terlit paper. As a freakishly large person, nothing I squeeze out is small. The terlits would back up. I had to buy another plunger for our house because the rental we came from only had one thrown. However after only a month of constantly having to plunge after every BM. I went shopping for brand new terlits.
I went to a plumbing supply store with a showroom. I asked for a terlit that could flush a battleship. They directed me to American Standard with a Flushmate 2 pressure vessel. After I installed them in my home. What a huge difference! Turned out that the terlits my house came with had a very small trap in them. Hence why anything more than a few sheets of paper clogged them up. Before tossing what were considered “newish” terlits. I took a sledgehammer to them so no one could use them again. Last thing I wanted was someone thinking it would work? Not those.
Ohhh ..... What a Great Topic ....!!!
Until you've wrestled with it you Just Don't Know ...lol...
1. Look for a Fully Glazed Trapway ..! Particularly if your water is hard, the glazed trapway definitely slows or prevents the accumulation of hard deposits along the flushroute ... Most of the newer toilets now have this.
2. I agree the American Standard Champ 4 with the canister flush system will flush animals down the toilet, though they will get stuck at the flange ...lol....
I personally have a Kohler Class 3 canister flush .... ( 1 in. Diff.) And it too is a beast when flushing...!!!
Why the Kohler you ask ? I needed one in Ice Grey . American Standard does not have the range of colors that Kohler has ...
**** Other Point About The Flush !
Below your flange , some plumbing goes straight down, which is the best by far....
But a lot of plumbing has a curve just below the flange... It works, but doesn't produce the same downward force as the straight piping .
2 .... Mine is Enlongated and here's why ....
A. It's easier for the girls to sit and have more room for any maintenance down below, including monthly routines..
B. As some men age ... Sitting is preferable for peeing because of various prostate issues . It actually is easier to relax muscles and pee sitting.... It allows more room in front of you while sitting for aiming ....lol ... Plus no one fights about the seat being up or down anymore !
What am I talking about a "Canister Flush" .... depending on the brand, a 3 or 4 inch round canister lifts up instead of a partial way flapper . This allows a lot of water to rush down with no obstruction .... It's a superior system to a flap !
Hope these extra tidbits help .... If it's plain old white, the American Standard 4" Canister is tops....... If your into colors, the Kohler is almost neck and neck ....
And remember the fully Glazed Trapway ! 🙂
Thank you for this awesome video. Exactly what I was looking for! Well done 🎉
Glad it was helpful!
Agreed on all points except the height. We installed two comfort height (taller) toilets and no one in my family likes that aspect. Unless everyone in your home is tall, or you enjoy popping on your tip toes, I'd recomend the standard height.
Comfort height is for people in the 5’9” + range. Standard is fine for shorter people and kids. Personally comfort or bust.
New research is showing a more "squatted" position when pooing is healthier - that means lower to the floor, not a higher toilet.
@@travelguy1564 Exactly! I am not short at 5'10'', and I already think that standard-height toilets are tall enough. They make my legs go dormant because I prefer to be in a more squat position. In some countries, the toilet is a hole in the floor, which many say is healthier. That's how humans have gone to the bathroom for many, many thousands of years. Why would you want the opposite? Ok old people with joint aches, sure, but not the majority of people.
Round toilets are only for when space requires it. Enlongated can get in the way of the door or otherwise cramp space or even break code. I helped someone out who bought an extremly expensive toilet thinking that was the best thing. The rough-in didn't match, it was one piece, and skirted. Biggest pain ever!! You hit those points spot on. Toilets should be basic utilitarian pieces not art.
But vintage toilets look so good, and have character!
I Only buy Elongated Standard Toilets. Toto Drake is my go to!
Mansfield makes very good toilets too. I have the Summit model and love it, good strong flush with 3 inch flapper - most others are just 2 inch so not as strong on the flushing. And mine has a light flush, about 1.18 gal, and the full flush 1.6 gal. Even the light flush works great!
Nice! Thanks for the recommendation.
Brilliant video. I think you just saved me from buying a skirted toilet. I'm function-over-form and being able to easily change the seat is a feature worth having.
Glad I could help!
I do hate cleaning all the curves and corners on the sides of a toilet though. And around the flange bolts. The floor always has hair which is magically attracted to the toilet as soon as a rag comes near.
So maybe not so bad?
Skirted toilets are easier to install, at least the Koehler ones are. They have a ReadyLock system where the wax ring goes and it means you can more easily align the toilet with the pipe. The assembly is quick and easy.
I have a Kohler lower toilet and like it because things just come out better in the end. And a 1.3 gal flush over a 1.6 is every fifth flush being free.
Do you have any recommendation for a good quality toilet seat? Yes, I agree with the soft close feature, and I prefer the solid sturdiness of a wood seat. But it seems that after a short time the front underside of the seat discolors, and no amount of cleaning gets it white again. Is there a seat brand better than others, a product that cleans this better, or a coating of some kind that would prevent such staining?
I'm thinking of painting my wood seat with appliance paint. Think that would work?
@@e-spywould need to be a waterproof type paint. something that you can also use products on to clean without it going bad or discolored.
Just the info I needed! Thank you 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Great info. Thanks
Thank you for the well informed, common sense video 👍🏻
Just installed the VorMax Esteem, love it.
Awesome!
I've issued this at Ace Hardware where the Men's had a round Mansfield Alto and an elongated Crane Galaxy Elite.
Elongated should be the norm
They make actual Tall toilets now they're 19" from ground to lip its a who!e 2 1/2" taller than comfort at 16 1/2" I was AMAZED! LOVE IT as we're all over 6'2" and up lol
Oh wow I didn't know that was a thing! Must be great for your tall family!
This was very helpful! Thank you
Elongated toilets are indeed the best and Toto is our brand of choice. That said, we do have a skirted one piece toilet (actually 3) and wouldn’t trade them for anything. We just moved homes and I tore out the brand new toilets and bought Toto’s to replace them. I’m 73 and did the job by myself - no difficulty at all!
When you get older, you need the higher toilet. I speak from experience. 🚽
Superb overview. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
American Standard has a much better warranty and customer service than Kohler.
Single piece is simpler to install and eliminates potential for leakage at joint between the two pieces.
As I said, you can get repair parts for AS almost anywhere-very important! Same with faucets-these fancy battery-powered "touch on-off". Not in MY house! When a city line breaks and grit and sand gets in YOUR side of the water line and ruins the guts of the toilet and faucet at 3 AM (been there more than once ) I don't want to have to run to a dozen places for PARTS on a sub-zero day with icy streets and 3/4 of the stores closed! Ain't gonna get a plumber for a week at BEST, so I better be able to fix it!
Simply not true. Plumbers will charge extra to install a 1-piece. American Standard’s customer service is garbage
I totally agree. It is simpler to install if it is unskirted. And there is no chance of a leak between the tank and the bowl.
1.6 gallons per flush is best for those who have a lot to unload.
YOU ARE AWESOME! THANK YOU FOR THE AWESOME INFORMATION
🙏
Glad I could help!
Thanks for sharing this.
Great advice. I’m not a plumber--just an “older person with bad knees”, and also recommend spending the extra $50-$100 for the ADA (17-inch height) commode. We’re all gonna be “old” sometime (if we’re lucky).
Super conseils. Merci
Just watched.....You are 110% correct....Great video
Everything she says is correct but another detail ya shouldn’t underestimate is the trap size - bigger is better, unless ya like plunging
That makes sense but how would you know if a toilet had a bigger trap size?
Hmmmm....biggest mistake for me was buying the more common floor-outlet toilet, when in fact I needed a rear-outlet toilet. Should be noted that if you live in a high-rise building, there's a good chance you will need a rear-outlet model. This was a specification I never knew anything about, but is the most important because if the sewage drainage is in the wall rather than the floor, you won't be able to install a floor-outlet model at all, never mind fret about how comfortable it is.
Was thinking doing my toilet next month, slowly replcing few things in bathroom before major construction and hire someone. save this for later, thanks!
Best of luck on the renovations!