Yeah, leaks behind walls are no joke...been there too, unfortunately. I switched to low-flow toilets in a rental property last year, and while the water savings were great, I had some tenants complain about weaker flushes causing clogs. Ended up spending more on plumber visits than I saved initially. Makes me wonder if anyone's found a sustainable toilet brand that's reliable enough to avoid these headaches?
"Ended up spending more on plumber visits than I saved initially."
Yeah, that's exactly what I'm worried about. I've been researching sustainable toilets myself (first-time homeowner jitters, haha), and a few people recommended dual-flush models from Toto or Kohler. Supposedly they're pretty reliable at balancing water savings with decent flush power. Still cautious though...last thing I need is plumbing drama right after moving in. Maybe worth checking reviews carefully before jumping in?
I installed a dual-flush Toto model about two years ago, and overall it's been pretty solid. Initially, I had similar concerns—heard plenty of horror stories about weak flushes and constant clogs—but after some careful research, I went ahead anyway. Installation was straightforward enough, though I did have to adjust the water level settings a bit to get the flush strength just right. Since then, it's been reliable and noticeably reduced our water bill.
One thing I'd suggest is checking your home's plumbing age and condition first. Older pipes or low water pressure can sometimes cause issues with newer, water-efficient fixtures. A friend of mine upgraded to a high-efficiency toilet without checking his plumbing first, and he ended up needing pipe replacements down the line—exactly the kind of headache you're trying to avoid. So yeah, reviews are helpful, but also consider having a plumber do a quick inspection beforehand. Could save you from unexpected surprises later on...
I second the point about checking your plumbing first—learned that lesson the hard way myself. A couple years back, I decided to go all-in on sustainable fixtures, including low-flow showerheads and faucets. Thought I was doing the right thing, you know, saving water and money.
Well, turns out my older home had galvanized pipes that were already pretty corroded inside. After installing the new fixtures, water pressure dropped noticeably. At first, I blamed the fixtures themselves (figured they were just too restrictive), but when I finally got around to having a plumber check things out, he showed me how clogged up my pipes were. Ended up needing a partial repipe—not exactly cheap or fun.
So yeah, sustainable upgrades are great—I still recommend them—but definitely do your homework first. A quick plumbing inspection beforehand can save you from some unexpected headaches down the road...
Good point about the pipes—it's easy to overlook older plumbing when upgrading fixtures. I'm curious, though, did your plumber mention if PEX piping would've been a good alternative during your repipe? I've read it's more affordable and flexible than copper, plus supposedly more resistant to corrosion. Been considering sustainable upgrades myself, but now I'm wondering if I should get my pipes checked first too...
