Low flush toilets?

**leighcat** · 05-24-2010, 06:01 PM

I saw that Lowe's has 1.28 gal/flush toilets for around $90. I was thinking of getting one for each of my 2 bathrooms. They say they save $90 a year so they would pay for themselves. Does anyone have one of the toilets I am talking about and does it really help the water bill go down significantly?

**craftypam** · 05-24-2010, 07:18 PM

Problem is some of the time you have to flush them twice. I would not purposely buy one. I mean if the one you are using is working.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-24-2010, 08:35 PM

We've had nothing but trouble with ours. I had to flush about 6 times this morning to clear it, and work the plunger on it the whole time. I'd never buy one again.

**craftypam** · 05-24-2010, 09:30 PM

I believe that you have no choice now. We bought ours at the end of them selling the ones with more water.

**Luckybustert** · 05-24-2010, 11:38 PM

We have one and absolutely hate it. As a previous poster mentioned, it frequently has to be flushed twice (or more). There is no way I would ever intentionally buy one of these if I could avoid it. It's another one of those things, in my opinion, that may have sounded good in theory, but in practice it doesn't quite make the grade.

**frugalfranny** · 05-25-2010, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by leighcat

I saw that Lowe's has 1.28 gal/flush toilets for around $90. I was thinking of getting one for each of my 2 bathrooms. They say they save $90 a year so they would pay for themselves. Does anyone have one of the toilets I am talking about and does it really help the water bill go down significantly?

What was the brand name?

My cousin has one that I really like and it was Kohler. Would only buy that brand if (when) I replace mine. Some pro rec. that brand to them. Was really impressed with the flushing power. Wouldn't consider another brand, as I have heard nothing but complaints about them.

Don't know where she bought it.

**TheresaRHPS** · 05-25-2010, 03:26 AM

I have one (not sure the brand name on it) and also hate it. With the need to multi-flush and the need to scrub it down more often, ours has definitely not paid for itself, lol.

So yeah...I agree; if your current toilets are working fine, you might wanna hold off for awhile.

**2ndGenGranola** · 05-25-2010, 06:59 AM

New builds are required low flush here. You must completely relearn your flushing technique. Most of us have learned to simply trigger the handle and walk away. That will not work on a basic low flow. First, you have to make sure your chain is adjusted properly. Then, you have to stand there and hold the handle down until everything evacuates. Once you relearn the technique, you will have no problems with the toilet.

**druthb00** · 05-25-2010, 12:00 PM

I worked for 5 years at a plumbing supply store and as someone else mentioned; Kohler makes a very good product, I've never had ANYONE complain about a Kohler toilet, sink, bath tub, etc. Gerber has a new lower gpf toilet out as well, and that's another brand we always trusted. IMO, stay away from American Standard, Briggs, and any fly by night company that the local big box store may be carrying at the time.

**mombottoo** · 05-25-2010, 01:28 PM

We have a low flush toilet in our upstairs bathroom & it works very well. Far as making your water bill go down I would have to say it would...$ = water used & if you are using less water to flush you are saving $s. I don't have a city water bill, so I wouldn't know firsthand, but it does make sense...

**savvy_sniper** · 05-25-2010, 01:35 PM

We installed an American Standard "dual flush" toilet over a year ago and it is wonderful! I ONLY flush using the #1 button and every thing goes down with no problem. We are planning on installing another one in the guest bathroom in the future.

**frugalfranny** · 05-25-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

Then, you have to stand there and hold the handle down until everything evacuates. Once you relearn the technique, you will have no problems with the toilet.

This wasn't the case with the Kohler.........one reason I liked it.

What did surprise me......you pushed done the handle (the normal way) and there was a pause (the retraining comes in here).......when you hear nothing happening, you turn around to check and about that time there was a big sucking noise and it went..........and went fast!!

It did seem to be more noisy than the 'regulars'.........but I will take that for a moment, if it does the job! Reminded me of the toilets in an airplane for the noise. It doesn't have to 'swirl around'.......it just sucks it down!!

**luvhilndr** · 05-25-2010, 02:25 PM

We have two Kohler one-piece 1.6 gal. toilets - two different models made a few years apart - and we love them both. It's rare that we have to flush more than once on either of them. One-piece units cost more than standard two-piece toilets but they are so much easier to keep clean when you have males with aiming issues.
We have a well I haven't a clue about savings on water bills, but it makes sense that replacing a 3-5 gal. toilet with a 1.6 gal. would add up to a nice water savings.

**frugal is fun** · 05-25-2010, 02:27 PM

I have a low flush toilet, however I don't think its that low. I'll have to look.

The toilet was thefirst thing I replaced when I bought my house. I work for a water company and I wasn't about to start paying for those extra gallons.

I don't have any trouble with mine as far as needing to reflush. If I remember I'll try to look at brand and gallons.

But to answer your question regarding lowering your water bill...it depends on how often you flush. If you're not home during the day and flush only a few times then no. However, if someone is home all day or you have kids, do they flush after every use or just "when needed".

**shoiji** · 05-25-2010, 04:36 PM

Have a Gerber here. Had to be told that I needed to hold down the handle. Talk about embarrasing!!!! Other than that seems to work just as well. Plus I am in an apartment so I doubt they purchased a high end gerber product if such a thing exists.