Pressure-assisted models do have their perks, but honestly, I've seen them cause headaches too—especially in older homes. The extra pressure can stress old pipes and fittings, leading to leaks. Sometimes a solid gravity-fed model with a larger trapway is a safer bet...less drama overall.
Totally get your point about pressure-assisted models. They're powerful, sure, but older plumbing can get overwhelmed pretty quickly. I've lost track of how many weekend emergency calls I've had because someone's shiny new toilet turned their basement into a swimming pool! Gravity-fed toilets with a bigger trapway might seem less exciting, but they're often more forgiving on older systems. Sometimes boring is good—especially if it saves you from mopping up at 2 AM...
I've been thinking about switching to a water-saving toilet myself, but honestly, the plumbing horror stories make me pause. Does anyone know if these newer gravity-fed models with larger trapways are actually effective at saving water, or is it mostly marketing hype? I'm all for cutting down on the water bill, but not if it means flushing twice every time... kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Also wondering—does the upfront cost difference between standard and water-saving models balance out in real-world savings, or are we just paying extra for a green label? Curious if anyone has tracked their actual water usage before and after making the switch.
Switched to a gravity-fed model about two years ago, and honestly, it's been pretty solid. Haven't had any double-flush nightmares yet (knock on wood...). Water bill dropped noticeably—not huge, but enough to feel good about it. Upfront cost was a bit higher, sure, but I figure it'll balance out in another year or two. Just avoid the absolute cheapest models; those seem to be where the horror stories come from.
Gravity-fed models are usually pretty reliable, but I'm curious—have you compared yours to any pressure-assisted toilets? I've installed a few lately, and clients swear by their flushing power, though they're definitely louder. Wondering if the noise trade-off is worth it...
