MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
Have you checked out any of the higher-end dual-flush toilets? Some of them look great and feel solid, but I’m not sure if they’re actually more reliable long-term or just better marketing.
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. There’s definitely a lot of hype around the “luxury” label, but in my experience, price doesn’t always equal longevity. I’ve had a Toto Neorest for about five years now—no major issues, but I wouldn’t say it’s immune to the occasional quirk (the sensor went weird once, and the replacement part wasn’t cheap). The build quality is great, but I’m not convinced it’s leaps and bounds ahead of some mid-range models I’ve tried in rentals.
I think a lot of the reliability comes down to how complicated the mechanism is. Dual-flush is nice for saving water, but more moving parts means more stuff that can go wrong. Sometimes I wonder if a good old single-flush with a solid reputation is less hassle long-term. Anyone else feel like we’re trading one problem for another with all these new features?
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I totally get what you mean about more features = more things that can break. I swapped in a fancy dual-flush in our guest bath and, honestly, it’s been more “quirky” than my 15-year-old single-flush workhorse. The water savings are nice, but I’ve had to fiddle with the mechanism more times than I care to admit. Sometimes simple really is better, even if it’s less flashy.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I hear you on the “quirky” factor. In my experience, the newer models can be a bit finicky, especially if you’re dealing with hard water or older plumbing. The water savings are real, but sometimes I wonder if the maintenance cancels out the benefit. I’ve had to call in a plumber more than once for a “high-efficiency” toilet that just wouldn’t cooperate... Meanwhile, the old-school ones just keep chugging along. Maybe there’s a sweet spot between efficiency and reliability, but I haven’t found it yet.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
That’s a fair point about maintenance. I’ve seen some of the dual-flush models have more moving parts, which can mean more things to go wrong—especially if you’ve got older pipes or mineral-heavy water. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried retrofitting older toilets with conversion kits instead of replacing the whole unit? I’ve heard mixed reviews on those, but maybe it’s a middle ground worth considering.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
Retrofitting with conversion kits can be hit or miss, honestly. I’ve specified them on a few renovation projects where budgets were tight. Sometimes they work fine, but you’re right—older toilets aren’t always compatible, and the flush power can drop off. If the existing toilet’s in good shape and you’re just trying to cut water use, it’s a decent stopgap. But if you’re already dealing with leaks, cracks, or really dated plumbing, I’d lean toward a new unit. The newer models are designed for efficiency from the ground up, which usually means fewer headaches down the line.
