I totally get where you're coming from. Had a similar experience myself a few years back when I upgraded the toilets in one of my rental properties. The house was built in the late '60s, and even though the plumbing checked out fine, tenants kept complaining about clogs and weak flushes. I tried two different low-flow models—one gravity-fed, one pressure-assisted—and neither really solved the issue completely.
Eventually, after way too many maintenance calls (and headaches), I switched back to a standard model. Problem solved almost instantly. It's not that water-saving toilets are inherently bad; I've installed them successfully in newer builds without any issues. But older plumbing systems just weren't designed with reduced water flow in mind, so it's kind of hit-or-miss.
Your plumber friend was spot-on about slope and venting—those details matter a lot more than people realize. Sometimes you just have to accept that certain upgrades aren't practical for every home...
Yeah, older plumbing can be tricky with low-flow toilets. Seen a few cases where buildup in cast iron pipes made things worse. Sometimes it's just better to stick with what works instead of chasing efficiency upgrades...
I've seen buildup issues too, but isn't that more about pipe maintenance than the toilet itself? Maybe pairing low-flow toilets with occasional enzyme treatments or regular flushing routines could balance efficiency and older plumbing... just a thought.
I've found enzyme treatments helpful too, especially in older homes. But I'm curious—has anyone noticed if certain toilet brands or designs handle buildup better than others? I've read that some low-flow models have improved flushing mechanisms specifically to prevent clogging issues. Wondering if investing in a higher-end model might reduce the need for frequent maintenance routines...
I've installed quite a few low-flow toilets, and honestly, some higher-end models do have better flushing mechanisms—like the ones with pressure-assisted flushes or dual-flush systems. But I've also seen cheaper brands perform surprisingly well if they're designed right. Sometimes it's less about price and more about specific design features. Curious if anyone's noticed differences between gravity-fed and pressure-assisted systems when it comes to buildup issues...?
