Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?

Half flush on mine is basically a suggestion, not a command.

You nailed it with that line. I’ve got the same issue and honestly, it feels like these “eco” toilets are just making us do double the work. I’m all for saving water, but if you’re flushing twice, it defeats the point, right? I’ve tried every DIY trick short of calling a plumber. Not convinced a new toilet would fix it either - seems like a waste of cash unless the old one’s totally shot.

Not sure I totally agree about skipping the new toilet if yours is older. I used to think the same - why spend the money if it’s just going to do the same thing? But after our old one started leaking, we finally replaced it with a newer dual-flush model (wasn’t cheap, but not the most expensive either). The difference was pretty noticeable. Half flush actually works now, and we’re not dealing with double flushes or clogs every other week.

I get wanting to avoid unnecessary expenses, but sometimes the old hardware just isn’t up to the job, especially if it’s more than 10-15 years old. If you’ve tried all the fixes and it’s still not working, might be worth considering. At least you’d save on water in the long run... and probably some headaches too.

Yeah, I hear you on the old toilets. I’ve swapped out a bunch over the years, and honestly, sometimes the “fixes” just don’t cut it after a certain point. You can mess with flappers, adjust the chain, clean out the jets - sometimes it helps, sometimes it’s just delaying the inevitable. The newer dual-flush models are a different beast. Not perfect, but way less hassle with the half flush actually doing its job.

That said, I get being skeptical about dropping cash on a new one if the old toilet isn’t totally shot. Some of those older models are tanks (no pun intended) and can last forever with a little TLC. But if you’re dealing with leaks or constant clogs, it’s probably time to bite the bullet. The water savings do add up, too, especially if you’ve got a full house.

It’s one of those things where you don’t really notice how much better it is until you make the switch. Not saying everyone needs to run out and replace theirs, but sometimes it’s just less headache in the long run.

Had a similar situation at my last place - half flush just never cleared things out right, no matter how much I fiddled with the settings. Ended up swapping the whole thing for a newer dual-flush model after one too many “double flushes.” Honestly, it was worth the upgrade, but I do miss how sturdy the old ones felt. Sometimes it feels like these new toilets are made out of plastic and hope...

I get where you’re coming from about the newer models feeling flimsy, but honestly, I couldn’t justify replacing mine just for the half-flush issue. Ended up swapping out just the flush valve and it made a noticeable difference. Sometimes it’s just a cheap part causing all the hassle... not always worth the full upgrade cost.