I hear you on the showroom thing—sometimes you just gotta see how these things work in real life. I’ve put in a bunch of WaterSense toilets for clients, and honestly, the tech’s come a long way since those early low-flow days. The water bill savings are real, but I’m always curious about long-term durability. Has anyone had issues with parts wearing out faster on these newer models? Or is that just old-school plumbing paranoia talking...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I’ll admit, I was a skeptic at first about these new water-saving toilets. Had a client a couple years ago who was dead set on getting the “latest and greatest” in every bathroom. We ended up putting in a bunch of dual-flush WaterSense models from different brands, just to see what worked best. Here’s the thing—while the flushing power has definitely improved since those sad little trickle-flush units from the ‘90s, I’ve actually noticed more callbacks for little parts than with the old-school tanks.
It’s not so much that they’re junk, but there’s just more going on inside the tank now. You’ve got these fancy fill valves and plastic gizmos in place of the classic flapper and float. Had a Toto that started leaking after a year because a little seal wore out—easy fix, but still, not something I saw much with the old 3.5-gallon tanks. I wouldn’t say it’s paranoia to wonder about durability. Maybe it’s just the price of progress? Or maybe it’s all this plastic inside instead of the heavier stuff we used to see.
That said, the savings are real, especially if you’ve got a big family or a lot of bathrooms. One house I did last year, owners said their bill dropped noticeably. But I do find myself keeping spare parts in the truck nowadays… just in case. I guess my take is, yes, tech is better, but there’s a bit of a trade-off with all the new mechanisms. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind if you’re used to the old reliable setups.
Sometimes I wonder if we’ll look back in 20 years and laugh at how complicated toilet guts got for the sake of saving a gallon or two. Then again, maybe that’s just me being nostalgic for the days when you could fix anything with a coat hanger and some plumber’s putty...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
Sometimes I wonder if we’ll look back in 20 years and laugh at how complicated toilet guts got for the sake of saving a gallon or two.
- I totally get where you’re coming from about the extra parts. It’s wild how much more “stuff” is inside these tanks now. I’ve had to replace a couple of those dual-flush buttons myself—definitely not as straightforward as swapping out an old flapper.
- On the flip side, the water savings are hard to ignore. In my own place, our bill dropped by about 15% after switching out two old toilets. That adds up over time, especially with rates creeping up every year.
- The plastic parts thing bugs me too. Some of these newer models feel a bit flimsy compared to the old porcelain-and-brass setups. But then again, I’ve seen some brands (like Kohler) using better quality internals lately. Maybe it’s just a matter of picking the right model?
- Maintenance is definitely more of a thing now. I keep a little kit of seals and fill valves under the sink just in case. Not ideal, but I guess it’s the trade-off for using less water.
- One thing I do like: less condensation on the tanks in summer. The smaller flushes mean less cold water sitting around, so no more puddles on the floor.
Curious if anyone’s tried composting toilets or other alternatives? Seems like if we’re already dealing with new tech and maintenance, maybe it’s worth looking at even bigger changes... Or is that just too much hassle for most folks?
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I hear you on the maintenance side—it’s not as simple as it used to be, but honestly, the lower water bill has been a big plus for us too. I do wonder if the savings really offset the cost of repairs over time, though. Has anyone actually tracked how much they’ve spent on replacement parts vs. what they’ve saved on water? I’m all for saving money, but I don’t want to end up spending more in the long run.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I get where you’re coming from—those newer toilets can be a pain when it comes to fiddly parts. In my case, the water bill savings have definitely outpaced what I’ve spent on the odd flapper or fill valve. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I haven’t had to do much more than with my old toilet. Curious if anyone’s had a different experience with certain brands being more reliable?
