I've never personally had mold or condensation issues with composting toilets, but I did run into a different headache—tenant pushback. A couple years ago, I installed one in a small rental cabin thinking it'd be a great eco-friendly selling point. Turns out, tenants weren't thrilled about the extra steps involved (adding sawdust, emptying compost bins, etc.). Maintenance wasn't terrible, but it definitely wasn't "set it and forget it."
"eco-friendly is great, but not if it means constant maintenance calls about mold or weird smells, right?"
Exactly. Mold wasn't my issue, but odors were tricky at first until I got the venting dialed in. Honestly, low-flow toilets have been way less hassle overall. They're familiar to tenants, easy to maintain, and still save water without the learning curve. Composting setups can work great if you're hands-on and your tenants are on board...but if you're looking for minimal fuss, low-flow might still be your best bet.
Totally agree about low-flow toilets being easier overall. I installed a dual-flush model when I bought my first house last year, and it's been pretty smooth sailing. The installation was straightforward—just had to swap out the old wax ring and make sure the tank sealed properly. No tenant issues here, obviously, but even guests visiting haven't had trouble figuring it out. Composting toilets seem cool in theory...but honestly, I'd rather spend my weekends on other projects than troubleshooting toilet odors or vent setups.
"Composting toilets seem cool in theory...but honestly, I'd rather spend my weekends on other projects than troubleshooting toilet odors or vent setups."
Haha, totally feel you on that one. I briefly considered composting toilets when we renovated our cabin... until I read about "maintenance routines" involving sawdust and stirring. Nope, no thanks. Dual-flush was a no-brainer—easy install, lower water bills, and guests don't need an instruction manual taped to the wall. I'll save my DIY energy for something less... aromatic.
Haha, I get the hesitation around composting toilets—definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But to be fair, I've seen some newer setups that aren't as high-maintenance as they used to be. A friend installed one in his tiny house, and he swears there's no odor or complicated stirring involved. Still, I totally understand sticking with dual-flush if you want something straightforward and guest-friendly...sometimes simplicity wins out over eco-perfection.
"sometimes simplicity wins out over eco-perfection."
Haha, exactly my thoughts. I looked into composting toilets too, but the upfront cost kinda made me pause...plus, convincing my family to embrace the compost life might be a tough sell. Low-flow dual flush seems like a solid middle ground for now.
