We replaced our toilet about two years ago, and honestly, I didn't even know glazed trapways were a thing until after we bought it. But now that you mention it, ours does seem to stay cleaner longer without needing multiple flushes. Still, I wonder if that's mostly because it's just newer and better designed overall? Either way, I'm with you—small upgrades like faucet aerators or low-flow showerheads probably make a bigger difference day-to-day.
Glazed trapways definitely help, but you're right—overall design improvements in newer toilets make a big difference too. I've installed plenty of older models that still flush great, but the newer ones just seem to handle waste better with less water. Faucet aerators and showerheads are easy wins, though. Curious if anyone here's tried greywater systems or rain barrels yet...worth the hassle?
I've helped install a couple rain barrels at my uncle's place, and honestly, they're pretty straightforward once you get past the initial setup. The hardest part was convincing him that mosquitoes wouldn't take over his backyard (spoiler: they didn't). Greywater systems, though...haven't tackled one yet. Seems like a bigger commitment, but if you're into gardening or have a thirsty lawn, it might pay off. Just don't tell my boss I'm recommending DIY plumbing projects, haha.
I've been skeptical about rain barrels myself, mostly because of the mosquito thing you mentioned. Glad to hear it wasn't an issue for your uncle. I ended up installing one last spring after my neighbor convinced me it wouldn't turn into a bug breeding ground. Turns out, he was right—no mosquito apocalypse yet.
Greywater systems though...I looked into them briefly when we redid our laundry room. The idea of reusing water from the washer sounded great, but once I started reading about the plumbing modifications and filtration setups, I got cold feet. It's definitely doable, but the complexity and upfront cost made me pause. If you're handy and patient, it might be worth the effort, especially if your garden is thirsty enough to justify it. Personally, I'm sticking with simpler solutions for now—rain barrels and low-flow fixtures seem like a good compromise between saving water and keeping my sanity intact.
Glad to hear the rain barrel worked out for you. I had similar doubts about mosquitoes, but a simple mesh screen over the opening solved that issue easily. As for greywater systems, I totally get your hesitation—looked into it myself and backed off once I saw the plumbing involved. Sometimes simpler really is better, especially when you're watching the budget. Low-flow fixtures have been my go-to; easy swap, noticeable savings, minimal headaches.
