Can we talk about toilets?

TRAILRIDER · #1 03/27/14, 09:16 AM

Any plumbing experts out there? I have been doing some research on toilets. Our house has 1 bathroom...and a septic tank. Needless to say it must work w/o fail. We are very careful with it, don't flush any paper at all. Very careful not to put anything down any drain that might upset the septic system.
The toilet we have does not have a strong flush (I have cleaned under the rim where hard water deposits gather) . And it does clog occasionally. I use a snake on it at times and that solves the problem. Everything in this house was do it yourself (and not done very well at that.) The toilet is the cheapest the people could find (don't have the brand right here.) I am considering replacing it with a better brand/model.
I am looking online at the Toto brand. The Ultramax seems to get very good reviews. Can anyone shed some light on the subject? I am tired of dealing with the clogs and I am willing to pay for the best at this point. Thanks in advance.

1shotwade · #2 03/27/14, 09:30 AM

RT 27 Yard sale is coming soon! A lot of things like that get replaced for appearances only!

Wade

Maura · #3 03/27/14, 10:52 AM

Does the toilet have the correct size pipes? Sometimes people will save a few pennies by using a smaller diameter pipe. If this is your problem then consider replacing the pipes.

fullmetal · #4 03/27/14, 11:00 AM

i know it's most likely not something your interested in but if you are having problems with your existing toilet you might want to look into a composting toilet instead. most are waterless which would neatly remove your flushing problems

and some people believe that they are batter for the environment.

Sawmill Jim · #5 03/27/14, 11:04 AM

Does it have a good vent pipe? A crappers is a crapper ,I got the cheapest one I could .Did away with that stupid water saver junk and it works fine .

Jim-mi · #6 03/27/14, 11:05 AM

Have had a laugh that your own Sen. Rand Paul has more than once snidely remarked about the super low flush pottys that you have to flush way more than once too make your business go down the drain.

The point here is be mighty aware of those **low flush** . . goobermint **mandated** pottys that darn few peoples like . . . . .Because they just don't work right.

Don't know about those that you mentioned. . . . . .
Just be aware . and fore warned . . .about those ultra low flush . . that don't flush.

mrs whodunit · #7 03/27/14, 11:22 AM

Seriously, I prefer outhouses.

Toilets are such a pain.... especially when you have a basement and the toilet or drain line upchucks

Yup. I would any day rather have an outhouse.

moeh1 · #8 03/27/14, 11:27 AM

If you are snaking, do you keep finding an issue at the same distance? This might help pinpoint a plumbing issue?
The newer low flow toilets recommend a 3" drain with a very even gradual pitch (1/4" per foot). Bigger pipe or faster pitch supposedly let the water rush down and not drag solids with it, resulting in a clog. You should check the plumbing before swapping toilet, otherwise may not gain you.... Also as stated before, need to make sure you are vented.

ninny · #9 03/27/14, 11:28 AM

Check out Consumer Report on their tests of different toilets. I've seen some that looked like they could flush a bowling ball but you pay for them.

.

1shotwade · #10 03/27/14, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moeh1

If you are snaking, do you keep finding an issue at the same distance? This might help pinpoint a plumbing issue?
The newer low flow toilets recommend a 3" drain with a very even gradual pitch (1/4" per foot). Bigger pipe or faster pitch supposedly let the water rush down and not drag solids with it, resulting in a clog. You should check the plumbing before swapping toilet, otherwise may not gain you.... Also as stated before, need to make sure you are vented.

Not to pick! I really don't know but I've ran a lot of plumbing back when and it was standard 1/8" per foot drop to carry solids.Maybe it has changed but if it has I'd like to know. (I've never installed these new limited water toilets)
Thanks,

Wade

Harry Chickpea · #11 03/27/14, 12:18 PM

Toto reviews are almost universally good. If it was a DIY project, there could be an issue in the waste pipe as well. Until you get the Toto, put a couple drops of dishwashing liquid in the bowl after flushing. It will "slick" the surfaces.

TRAILRIDER · #12 03/27/14, 02:54 PM

Dish washing liquid, huh.....yes, I checked the drain pipes. I am not entirely sure if the snake finds a problem at the same spot or not. Its not a long snake though.

At the big box store they have a toilet on display that boasts a sign, claims this toilet can flush 9 golf balls in one flush. I can't remember the brand though.

Mrs.Whodunit, I couldn't agree more. With an outhouse you never have a plumbing issue. Just once in a great while you have to dig another hole! Not so great though if you have an elderly or handicapped person living with you who can't use an outhouse easily.

Helena · #13 03/27/14, 03:40 PM

How is your septic system. I feel fortunate that only our toilet goes into our septic and all the gray water is into the leach field on our homestead. I do want to put an outhouse up near the barn...someday..been here 35 years now ??...Just a thought..

mistletoad · #14 03/27/14, 04:47 PM

We have the 9 golfball one - American Standard - put it in about 5 years ago and love it. It's low flow but a strong flush - not needed a plunger yet.

Have you checked to make sure you don't have roots growing into the drainage pipes? That will cause a sluggish flush and clogs that aren't in the bowl.

Danaus29 · #15 03/27/14, 05:04 PM

I can't say enough good about American Standard toilets. We have the 9 golf ball one too. The plunger has been needed occasionally so don't toss it.

Although we have had problem with the inner workings of the flush mechanism. Our little plastic thingy broke but ds managed to rig up a replacement.

Jokarva · #16 03/27/14, 07:07 PM

We replaced the toilets here with Totos when we moved in....the Drake in two full baths and an Aqua...something (dual flush with the little push buttons on top) in the powder room. Like them very much, the Drake has a vortex like water whoosher that keeps the bowl cleaner, the Aqua one has a skirt that's easy to keep clean. We've never clogged either one and never had any 'residue' left in the bowl after flushing. These were made in Georgia, and the website we bought them off (which I can't remember the name of) had great prices.

Terri in WV · #17 03/27/14, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

I've seen some that looked like they could flush a bowling ball but you pay for them.

.

I need one that could flush like that. Seriously....sigh....

I have checked into different toilets, because of weekly clogs, and there are just so many to choose from that it is very confusing.

I've thought of sending samples to the ones that claim superior power. The one that could show proof would get my lifetime business.

SolarGary · #18 03/27/14, 07:54 PM

Hi,

This is a site that tests and rates toilets on flushing ability:
http://www.map-testing.com/about/max...ch.html#result
Each toilet gets a MAP score and you can compare different toilets.

We have put dual flush toilets in all our bathrooms and they work just fine -- only 1 gallon on low flush which is all we use. There are plenty of low flush toilets that perform very well -- unlike some of the early models.

Some more on efficient toilets:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...er.htm#toilets

My favorite toilet:http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...o/SolarLoo.htm
Solar powered!

Gary

blooba · #19 03/28/14, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAILRIDER

At the big box store they have a toilet on display that boasts a sign, claims this toilet can flush 9 golf balls in one flush. I can't remember the brand though.

GREAT!!!!! Now I can go back onto my golf ball diet. And if I get backed up the toilet will be able to handle it!!!!

But on my last place I put in an American Standard 1.6 gpf model and even with frequent by lots of people it held up strong and never a problem unless a kid flushed a toy or something down. But I just looked at their website and it looks like they have changed their trap design from my model so not sure on their new models. All I know is it wasn't one of their cheap ones, as I have learned the cheap ones clog all the time.

Nimrod · #20 03/28/14, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

Does it have a good vent pipe? A crappers is a crapper ,I got the cheapest one I could .Did away with that stupid water saver junk and it works fine .

This.
Try the simple stuff first. Look inside the tank. Some put a little plastic bucket, like a 5 quart ice cream bucket, around the drain in the tank so the water won't all go down. I removed the bucket with a knife to get a more robust flow. It works fine. See if you can increase the flow.