Had a similar situation at my last place. Swapped in a budget low-flow to save on the water bill, but ended up cursing it every time it clogged. Eventually just went back to the old one. Sometimes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” really applies.
Title: Are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
I hear you on the frustration with budget low-flows. It’s a common complaint—folks swap them in, hoping for savings, and then end up dealing with constant clogs or double flushes. I’ve seen it plenty of times. But here’s the thing: not all low-flow toilets are created equal. Some of the cheaper models just don’t have the right flush design, so they end up being more trouble than they’re worth.
Did you ever try one of the newer pressure-assisted types? They’re a bit pricier, but in my experience, they handle waste way better than the old gravity-fed low-flows. The tech’s come a long way since those first 1.6-gallon models that barely moved anything. I’ve swapped out a few for clients who were ready to give up on water-savers altogether, and they were surprised at how much better the newer ones worked.
That said, I totally get sticking with what works. If your old toilet isn’t guzzling water and doesn’t clog, it’s hard to justify the hassle and expense of swapping it out. Sometimes “if it ain’t broke” really is the best advice.
Curious—did you notice any real difference in your water bill when you had the low-flow in? Some folks see a drop, but others barely notice, especially if there aren’t a ton of people in the house. And if you’re flushing twice as often, it kind of defeats the purpose...
It’s one of those things where the hype doesn’t always match reality, especially if you go with a bargain model. But with the right setup, they can actually work pretty well. Just wish they’d make it easier for folks to tell which ones are actually decent before buying.
“If your old toilet isn’t guzzling water and doesn’t clog, it’s hard to justify the hassle and expense of swapping it out.”
- Swapped out a 90s toilet for a “highly rated” low-flow last year. Water bill dropped maybe $3/month, but I had to keep a plunger nearby. Not ideal.
- Pressure-assist models are way better, but they’re loud. Like, wake-up-the-house-at-midnight loud. Not sure everyone would love that.
- If you’re in an area with water restrictions or high bills, the savings might add up over time. For a small household? Barely noticed.
- Agree on the “if it ain’t broke” thing. My old one was ugly but worked fine. Regret tossing it sometimes.
- If you do go for a new one, check reviews for actual flush performance—not just water use. Some brands are way more reliable than others.
Honestly, unless you’re super motivated by water savings or have to replace anyway, the hype feels a bit overblown. The tech’s better now, but not all models are worth the switch.
I hear you on the plunger situation—same thing happened when I swapped mine for a dual-flush model. It’s supposed to be “efficient,” but sometimes it takes two flushes anyway, which kinda defeats the point. Anyone tried one of those Toto models everyone raves about? Wondering if they’re actually worth the price or just hype.
Yeah, I’ve seen this a lot—folks swap to dual-flush or “eco” models and end up flushing twice. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- Dual-flush can save water, but only if the bowl clears in one go. If you’re plunging more, you’re not really saving anything.
- Some brands just don’t have the right trapway design or flush power. It’s not always about gallons per flush, but how well it moves waste.
- Toto’s got a solid rep for a reason. Their G-Max and newer Tornado flush systems actually work pretty well in most homes. I’ve installed a bunch and rarely get callbacks for clogs.
- That said, they’re pricier upfront. If you’re on city water and pay for usage, you might make that back over time. On a well? Maybe not as big a deal.
- One thing: even the best models can struggle if your plumbing’s older or there’s buildup in the lines.
Honestly, sometimes the “hype” is justified, but it depends on your setup. Not every house needs a $500 toilet, but if you’re tired of plunging... might be worth it.
