I hear you on the maintenance side—definitely not as hands-off as advertised. But honestly, I think the trade-off is worth it if you’re looking at long-term water use. I’ve had mine for a while, and yeah, there’s been a couple annoying repairs, but my water bill is consistently lower. I do wish the parts were sturdier, though. Manufacturers seem to focus more on hitting those efficiency numbers than making something that’ll last a decade. Still, if you’re in an area where water’s expensive or drought-prone, it’s hard to argue against the savings.
I get where you're coming from on the savings, but I’ve got to say, the “maintenance side” is more than just a minor annoyance in my experience.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve swapped out more flush valves and fill mechanisms in the past five years than I ever did with the old-school tanks. It’s like they’re built to pass an efficiency test, then fall apart once you actually use them for a while.“Manufacturers seem to focus more on hitting those efficiency numbers than making something that’ll last a decade.”
That said, when you’re managing multiple units, those water savings do add up—especially if tenants aren’t exactly careful about running up the bill. Still, I’d trade a few bucks on the bill for less time spent fixing phantom flushes or tracking down obscure replacement parts. Maybe I’m just nostalgic for the days when a toilet would outlast your mortgage... but I guess that’s progress?
That’s the thing—are we actually saving money if we’re constantly replacing parts and making service calls? I’ve noticed some brands seem to hold up better than others, but even then, it’s rare to see one go a decade without issues. Has anyone found a model that really balances efficiency with durability, or is that just wishful thinking these days?
I swear, my water-saving toilet is like a needy pet—always wanting attention. I went for one of those dual-flush models thinking I’d be saving the planet and my wallet, but after the third time the flush mechanism got stuck (and one memorable incident involving a plunger and a very awkward dinner guest), I started to wonder if I’d just signed up for more headaches.
It does use less water, sure, but between the replacement parts and the “creative” fixes I’ve had to MacGyver together, I’m not convinced I’m actually ahead financially. My old-school toilet at my last place was basically immortal—ugly as sin, but it never needed anything except the occasional scrub. Maybe I just have bad luck with the newer models, but it feels like durability took a backseat to efficiency somewhere along the line.
Still, I can’t bring myself to go back to the water-guzzlers. Guess I’ll just keep perfecting my amateur plumbing skills...
Honestly, I get where you're coming from—some of these newfangled toilets seem like they were designed by someone who never actually had to fix one. But I’ve got a handful of rentals with dual-flush models, and my experience’s been a bit different:
- The first couple I bought were total lemons. Constant fiddling, tenants calling me like I’m their personal plumber. But after switching brands (and paying a little more upfront), the newer ones have been surprisingly low-maintenance.
- Parts are definitely flimsier than the old tanks, but I’ve noticed if you stick with the major brands, you can actually get replacement bits pretty cheap on Amazon. The off-brand stuff? Forget it.
- Water bills dropped noticeably, especially in places with multiple tenants. That’s where it really adds up over time. Not sure it’s a huge win for a single household, though.
- I do miss the “set it and forget it” days of those 80s monsters, but I also don’t miss explaining to tenants why their water bill is through the roof.
Maybe it’s just a matter of finding the right model. Or maybe I’ve just gotten better at cursing quietly while fixing them...