Totally agree on dual-flushes being a safer bet for older homes. We swapped ours out a couple years back and noticed a decent drop in our water bill without any plumbing nightmares (knock on wood...). Honestly, even just adjusting the float valve and checking for leaks regularly can make a surprising difference. Not as flashy as those high-tech toilets, but sometimes simpler really is better, especially when you're dealing with older pipes.
"Honestly, even just adjusting the float valve and checking for leaks regularly can make a surprising difference."
Good point about the float valve—didn't realize how much water we were wasting until I adjusted ours last summer. But I'm still on the fence about dual-flush toilets. Installed one in our guest bathroom, and while it definitely saves water, sometimes it feels like the lower flush isn't strong enough... Anyone else notice this, or did I just pick a dud model?
I've installed a bunch of dual-flush models, and honestly, your experience isn't uncommon. Some brands just don't have enough oomph on the lower flush—it's like they're whispering politely to the water instead of actually flushing. 😂 Usually, it's about finding the sweet spot between water-saving and performance. Maybe check reviews next time or ask around before buying another one... some models really nail it, others just swirl around hopelessly.
Just went through this myself. Installed a dual-flush model thinking I'd save water (and money), but the lighter flush is basically decoration at this point... ended up using the full flush anyway. Did some digging and found that models with larger trapways or pressure-assist systems tend to perform better. Lesson learned: saving water sounds great, but only if your toilet actually flushes properly, lol.
Dual-flush models can be hit or miss, but I wouldn't write off water-saving toilets entirely. A few points from experience:
- Pressure-assist systems definitely flush better, but they're louder and pricier to maintain.
- Gravity-fed models with larger trapways (around 2⅛" or more) usually strike a good balance between water savings and performance.
- Sometimes the issue isn't the toilet itself—poor venting or drain slope can make even a good toilet seem weak.
Might be worth checking your plumbing setup before giving up on water-saving altogether...
