Haha, totally get what you're saying about those phantom flushes at 2 AM... been there myself. Honestly, I think a lot of folks underestimate plumbing jobs because they look simple on YouTube tutorials. But when you're actually kneeling on the bathroom floor, surrounded by random washers and parts you swear weren't in the box five minutes ago, reality hits hard.
I still believe most DIYers can handle dual-flush installs if they're patient enough, but it's definitely not always as straightforward as advertised. I remember my first attempt—thought I'd nailed it until I noticed a tiny drip that turned into a puddle overnight. Lesson learned: never underestimate the power of a microscopic gap.
Curious though, has anyone else run into issues with certain dual-flush brands being trickier than others? I've heard mixed things about some budget models...
Yeah, those microscopic leaks are the absolute worst... I've installed a few dual-flush systems over the years, and honestly, some of the cheaper brands can be a real headache. Had one budget model that seemed fine at first, but the flush buttons kept sticking randomly—ended up replacing it after tenants complained. Personally, I'd recommend spending a bit more upfront on a reputable brand; saves you from midnight plumbing adventures later on.
Totally agree about avoiding the cheap stuff—been there, done that, learned my lesson. Curious though, have you noticed much difference in water savings between dual-flush and standard low-flow toilets? I've heard mixed things from tenants...
I've wondered the same thing myself... installed a dual-flush last year, and honestly, haven't noticed a huge drop in the water bill. Maybe we're just trigger-happy with the full flush button, haha. Anyone else find similar results?
I've noticed something similar with our dual-flush system. Installed ours about two years ago, and while I did see a slight dip initially, it wasn't nearly as dramatic as I'd hoped. Makes me wonder if the savings advertised are based on ideal conditions or something... maybe we're all just hitting the full flush more often than we realize? Or perhaps the older toilets we replaced weren't as inefficient as the ones they use for those comparison stats?
Also, I've read somewhere that dual-flush mechanisms can sometimes leak slightly if not installed perfectly, causing water to trickle continuously into the bowl. Have you checked yours for any slow leaks or running water sounds? Might be worth a quick look. I ended up adjusting ours after noticing a faint trickling noise at night—didn't think much of it at first, but it probably added up over time.
