MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
That “jet engine” description cracks me up—my brother’s place has one and you can hear it down the hall. I’ve swapped out a couple of old 3.5-gallon tanks for newer models in my last reno, and I did run into a leak issue. Turns out, the subfloor wasn’t perfectly level, so the wax ring didn’t seal right the first time. Had to shim it and redo the install. Curious if anyone’s tried those foam gaskets instead of wax? I’ve heard mixed things, but haven’t tested them myself. As for splashback—yeah, especially with the pressure-assist types, though it seems to depend a lot on bowl shape. I’m not sure there’s a perfect solution yet...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
That “jet engine” sound is no joke—first time I heard one in a new build, I thought something broke. About those foam gaskets, I’ve tried them on a couple of projects where the floor was a bit uneven. They’re easier to work with than wax, but I’ve noticed they don’t always compress as well if the flange isn’t just right. Wax is messy, but it’s more forgiving if things aren’t perfectly level. As for splashback, yeah, pressure-assist bowls can be unpredictable... had a client complain once about “toilet rain.” Not ideal, but the water savings do add up over time.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
Honestly, I still stick with wax rings for most installs. The foam ones just don’t seem to seal as well if the floor’s even a little off. And about those pressure-assist toilets—sure, they save water, but I’ve had more callbacks for leaks and weird noises than with gravity-fed models. Sometimes the “old school” way is just less hassle in the long run.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I hear you on the wax rings—never had a foam one that didn’t make me nervous. As for the water-saving toilets, I’ve found that picking the right model matters way more than just going “pressure-assist” or “gravity.” Some gravity-fed high-efficiency toilets actually flush better than the old ones, and you don’t get the jet-engine noise at 2am. If you’re renovating, I usually recommend checking the MaP ratings before buying. Saves a lot of headaches (and water) down the road.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
- Agree on the MaP ratings—those numbers actually mean something, unlike a lot of “eco” labels.
- I’ve swapped out dozens of old 3.5 gal units for clients, and the right 1.28 or even 1.0 gal models do just fine if you pick carefully.
- Not all pressure-assist toilets are created equal. Some are louder than an air compressor and still clog on you... Gravity-fed high efficiency is usually quieter.
- Installation-wise, stick with wax rings unless your flange is way off—foam can work but it’s hit or miss.
- Haven’t had callbacks for double-flushing with the better brands (Toto, Kohler). Cheap out and you’ll regret it.
- You’ll see savings on your water bill if you’ve got a big family or lots of guests, but honestly, if it’s just one or two people in the house, payback takes a while. Still, worth it when you’re remodeling anyway.
