Title: Half flush never seems to work right—am I missing something?
Honestly, I wouldn’t write off all older toilets just yet. I’ve had a couple from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s that took to the dual-flush conversion kits pretty well. The trick, at least in my experience, is making sure the flapper and the float are actually compatible with the kit. Some of those universal kits are anything but universal—if the geometry’s off by even a little, you end up with that “just-for-show” flush you mentioned.
I get the temptation to just swap the whole thing out, but sometimes a little extra fiddling pays off. I had to try two different kits before I found one that actually worked with my old American Standard. Not saying it’s always worth the hassle, but if you’re stubborn (like me), it can be done.
That said, I do agree—some toilets just aren’t built for it. If you’re dealing with one of those, you’re probably better off replacing it. But if you’re just looking to save a bit of water and don’t mind a little trial and error, it’s not always a lost cause.
One thing I’d add: sometimes the water level in the tank is set too low after the conversion, which kills the flush power. Bumping it up a bit (within reason) can make a surprising difference. Not exactly “eco-heroic,” but at least it gets the job done without a second flush.
Anyway, just my two cents. Sometimes it’s worth tinkering, sometimes it’s not. Depends how much patience you’ve got for toilet experiments.
Some of those universal kits are anything but universal—if the geometry’s off by even a little, you end up with that “just-for-show” flush you mentioned.
That “just-for-show” flush line cracked me up because I’ve been there—standing over the tank, watching the water swirl around like it’s thinking about doing something useful, but then... nope. I tried one of those “universal” dual-flush kits on my aunt’s old Kohler, and it was like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. The flapper didn’t seal right, and the half flush was basically a polite suggestion to the contents, not an actual command.
I will say, after a few rounds of trial and error (and a couple of accidental mini-floods—don’t ask), I realized the float height was way off. Adjusted it up just a hair, and suddenly the half flush had some actual muscle. Still not perfect, but at least it wasn’t just a decorative button anymore.
One thing I learned the hard way: if you’re fiddling with the water level, don’t get too ambitious. I got a little carried away once and ended up with Niagara Falls every time I flushed. Turns out there’s a sweet spot—too low and nothing happens, too high and you’re mopping the floor.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if these kits are designed by people who’ve never actually seen a toilet in real life. But when you finally get it dialed in, it’s kind of satisfying. Like winning a weird plumbing lottery.
Anyway, I agree—sometimes it’s worth tinkering, sometimes you just have to admit defeat and move on. But if you’re stubborn (or just too cheap to buy a new toilet), there’s usually a way to make it work... eventually.
The flapper didn’t seal right, and the half flush was basically a polite suggestion to the contents, not an actual command.
That’s exactly it—half flush is like the toilet’s way of saying “maybe later.” I’ve had better luck just sticking with the original manufacturer’s parts, even if they cost a bit more. Universal kits always seem to need some kind of hack or compromise. Honestly, sometimes I think the “universal” label just means “universally frustrating.”
- Half flush is like that one coworker who volunteers but never actually does the job.
- In my experience, universal kits usually fit everything except the toilet you actually own. Manufacturer parts might sting your wallet, but at least you know they’ll work (most of the time).
- Ever notice how some toilets just seem allergic to saving water? I’ve had a couple where no matter what I tried—adjusting the chain, new seals, you name it—the half flush was just... decorative.
- Curious if anyone’s had luck tweaking the float height or if that’s just a myth plumbers tell to keep hope alive?
Half Flush Is More Trouble Than It’s Worth Sometimes
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with universal kits. Maybe I just lucked out, but the Fluidmaster one I grabbed at the hardware store fit my old American Standard tank like a glove. The trick for me was double-checking the measurements and not trusting the “universal” label blindly. Still, I get the frustration—some toilets just seem to be built to spite you.
About the half flush, though... I’m convinced some models are just never going to work right. I fiddled with the float height, swapped out the flapper, even tried one of those “water-saving” bricks (which honestly just made things worse). At the end of the day, the half flush on my last place’s toilet was basically a suggestion, not a function. Full flush or bust.
I’ve heard people swear by adjusting the float, but in my experience, it’s hit or miss. Sometimes you get a little more oomph, but most of the time it’s just a slightly different weak flush. Maybe it’s a design thing? Some tanks just aren’t set up for a proper half flush no matter what you do.
Honestly, I’ve started ignoring the half flush altogether. If it doesn’t clear the bowl, what’s the point? I’d rather use a bit more water than have to double-flush every time. Maybe not the most eco-friendly approach, but at least it works.
Curious if anyone’s actually found a fix that sticks, but for me, it’s been more hassle than it’s worth. Sometimes you just gotta accept defeat and move on... or get a new toilet.
