MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
- Ran into the same space issue on a recent project—thought I had it all measured out, but the tank ended up blocking the door swing. Had to swap it for a round-front model.
- Noticed that some of the “sleek” units actually protrude more than the standards, which seems counterintuitive.
- Also, some high-efficiency toilets have awkward flush buttons or levers that stick out and get in the way.
- Honestly, I double-check rough-in sizes now, but I still get tripped up by weird profiles or lid shapes... it’s not just about water savings, it’s about fit and function too.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I get where you’re coming from with the odd tank shapes and flush levers—some of the designs really don’t make sense for tight spaces. But I’ve found that if you dig a little, there are compact water-saving models that actually fit better than some older ones. The key is checking the full dimensions, not just the rough-in. I had to return one because the lid stuck out way more than I expected, but the next model I tried was almost flush with the wall. It’s a hassle, but I still think the water savings are worth it in the long run. Just wish manufacturers would standardize things a bit more...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
That’s a good point about the dimensions—learned that the hard way myself. I installed a “compact” water-saver in the guest bath, but the tank still juts out just enough to make the door brush against it. If you’re working with a tight spot, I’d recommend actually taping out the footprint on the floor before buying, just to be sure.
One thing I’ve noticed is some of these efficient toilets have weaker flushes, especially if your water pressure isn’t great. We had to snake ours a couple times in the first year. Ended up swapping out the flapper for a better one and it helped, but it’s not always plug-and-play.
Curious if anyone’s found a model that balances compact size with a reliable flush? Or is it just trial and error at this point?
One thing I’ve noticed is some of these efficient toilets have weaker flushes, especially if your water pressure isn’t great.
I hear this a lot, but honestly, I think it depends more on the model than the water pressure. We put in a Toto Drake in a tight powder room last year—pretty compact, and the flush is surprisingly strong. Haven’t had to snake it once. The trick seems to be looking for models with a good MaP score (that’s the flush performance rating). Some of the cheaper “eco” toilets just don’t cut it, but there are solid options out there if you dig into the specs.
I get what you’re saying about MaP scores, but honestly, I’ve had a high-rated model that still struggled because of my house’s low water pressure. Specs are helpful, but sometimes real-world conditions just don’t match the lab tests. If you’re on a budget, it’s worth checking local reviews or even asking your plumber what actually works in your area. Sometimes the “best” model on paper isn’t the best fit for every house.
