# Didn't we have a thread about toilets recently? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176 "2022-09-25T00:30:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/1 "2022-09-25T00:30:01Z")
The toilet that I spent an entire weekend working on a couple months ago trying to fix a leaking tank, is leaking again. So, time for a new toilet, because I’m tired of screwing around with this one. I could _swear_ we had a thread about low flow toilets within the last few months, but damned if I can find it. So, long story short – my wife did her research online and found one that she likes and gets good reviews. I started looking at toilets on the Home Depot website but every one that I mentioned, she had some complaint about it. So I said fine, order the one you want, since your mind is made up, and call the handyman to arrange installation. this is the toilet my wife wants to get. > **[TOTO Drake 2-Piece 1.6 GPF Single Flush Elongated ADA Comfort Height Toilet...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/TOTO-Drake-2-Piece-1-6-GPF-Single-Flush-Elongated-ADA-Comfort-Height-Toilet-in-Cotton-White-SoftClose-Seat-Included-MS776124CSFG-01/317577233)** > > TOTO Drake 2-Piece Elongated 1.6 GPF Universal Height Toilet with and SoftClose Seat, is a beautifully designed high profile toilet. Featuring TOTO's , a rimless, hole-free design with dual-nozzles that But now that I’ve said go ahead and order what you want, she’s worried that we’ll both hate it and then it’ll be her fault because it was her choice. 🙄 Which is why I went looking for the toilet thread that I can’t find. So, anybody have recommendations, either for a TOTO toilet (specifically “The Drake”\*) or any other brand? \* Fifty lashes with a wet noodle to anyone who posts a Seinfeld-esque “Love the Drake!” or “Hate the Drake.” ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/2 "2022-09-25T00:40:38Z")
I was tempted by the Drake when I went shopping for a new toilet a few years ago. But I wanted a 1-piece, so I chose the Toto UltraMax 1.6 GPF instead. It’s a great, completely trouble-free loo. I love it. I don’t think your wife will be disappointed with a Toto. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/3 "2022-09-25T00:45:07Z")
I don’t remember the thread but I’ll be following this one closely. We need a new toilet and it needs to be 1) relatively shallow depth (that is, from the front of the the bowl to the back of the tank – no elongated bowls) and 2) capabale of handling my son’s rather oversized (and thus toilet-plugging) BMs. Requirement #2 seems to be the difficult part. Toilet manufacturers seem to use golf balls and similar insufficient items in their clog tests. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/4 "2022-09-25T02:21:39Z")
Maybe you could modify your son’s diet? 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/5 "2022-09-25T02:58:39Z")
Was it my post [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-it-flush-need-answer-fast/970133/13)? I haven’t decided on a toilet yet, but I’m certainly not squeezing out $450 on a crapper. I do appreciate their decision to describe their flush with the very descriptive “Tornado Flush!” - that low flow crap isn’t going to cut it. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/6 "2022-09-25T03:06:33Z")
I bought a Kohler Highline Arc about 6 months ago and am ready to buy a second one for downstairs. Very powerful flush. A big jet woosh for 1.3 seconds. Looks like it has gone up in price since then but what hasn’t. > **[KOHLER Highline Arc The Complete Solution 2-piece 1.28 GPF Single Flush...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/KOHLER-Highline-Arc-The-Complete-Solution-2-piece-1-28-GPF-Single-Flush-Elongated-Toilet-in-White-Slow-Close-Seat-Included-K-78279-0/307908571)** > > Trusted for years by professionals, Highline toilets are KOHLER's bestselling toilet family. A brilliant blend of style and water efficiency, this Highline Arc toilet is distinguished by an elegant flared ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/7 "2022-09-25T13:50:00Z")
My wife has similar BM issues. The toilet we are replacing, an American Standard “Champion”, was the one they used to advertise as being able to flush a bucket of golf balls. So that’s the one she chose back then, but I’ve never really been happy with it. First of all, it still clogs more than I think it should. And second, I never liked the way the tank sat on the back of the bowl. Instead of the tank sitting flush on the back of the bowl, there are these ridges that the tank sits on top of, so that there is about a half inch gap between the tank and bowl. I worried about tightening the tank bolts too tight and cracking the tank. And yet I never seemed able to tighten the bolts enough to keep the tank from wobbling. It just seemed like a really badly designed toilet. I don’t mind spending $400 on a toilet if (a) it makes my wife happy and (b) it’s the last toilet I ever have to buy. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/8 "2022-09-25T13:58:19Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > So that’s the one she chose back then, but I’ve never really been happy with it. First of all, it still clogs more than I think it should That’s what I installed a about 6 years ago. Never an issue. If it fits in the bowl it’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/9 "2022-09-25T14:01:20Z")
Ours is probably closer to 15 years old. It replaced the cheap contractor grade toilet they put in when they built the house. Maybe next gen Champions are better than the earlier versions? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/10 "2022-09-25T14:03:25Z")
Possible I suppose. In the other toilet thread I mentioned the pressure assist toilet we had in our previous home. Worked great, but noisy. My wife claimed she could hear it flush from the back yard. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/11 "2022-09-25T15:13:25Z")
Only a Ferguson for me. A man’s flush! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IL2YRDzpTL4/hqdefault.jpg "Al Bundy's Ferguson") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL2YRDzpTL4) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/12 "2022-09-25T15:25:40Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > > [@Shoeless](#): > > > > So that’s the one she chose back then, but I’ve never really been happy with it. First of all, it still clogs more than I think it should > > That’s what I installed a about 6 years ago. Never an issue. If it fits in the bowl it’s gone. My golfball flusher is also 5-6 years old, I’ve never had to plunge it. Weirdly, it was maybe an hour ago that I just finished replacing its fill valve. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/13 "2022-09-25T21:46:57Z")
I have two Toto dual flush models, both recently replaced by the building management, because apparently some of the original ones (also Toto) installed in 2013 leaked. One of them works fine. The other one recently started running constantly. I looked inside and there doesn’t seem to be anything to adjust, but with the lid off it stopped running. So now I leave the lid just off a bit and it doesn’t run. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/14 "2022-09-25T22:51:10Z")
The Drake is a solid choice, but get the “comfort height” if you’re aging. 2” taller is in fact a LOT more comfortable and easy on the knees. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/15 "2022-09-26T19:41:31Z")
Can you buy five gallon toilets at wrecking yards? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/16 "2022-09-29T10:20:22Z")
I don’t know much about toilet models - weirdly, in 35 years of owning a home, we’ve never needed to buy a toilet. But: definitely go for a taller one vs a shorter one. A lot of older / cheaper toilets seem to be toddler-height (when I visit my daughter, in her ancient apartment building, it’s a real hassle getting up from it). And re clogging: a bidet attachment (lots cheaper than a toilet with a built-in bidet) can reduce TP usage, and thus clogging - plungers were in regular use in our household until we got the bidet attachments (that’s one thing COVID did for us, LOL). ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/17 "2022-09-29T10:34:53Z")
**“Didn’t we have a thread about toilets recently?”** There was some discussion in this thread :- > [@Inventions that went backward](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inventions-that-went-backward/962852/98): > > Toilets I’m all in favor of conserving water and helping the environment, but modern toilets simply don’t have the oomph of the toilets of yesteryear. Today you’re lucky to even clear away a rabbit dropping in a couple of flushes. But boy howdy, back in the day you could clear a pile of T-rex poop with a single flush. It was like breaching the Hoover Dam with each depression of the handle. Regarding recorded music: I think what has gone backward more so than the media and compressed file forma… ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/18 "2022-09-29T13:46:59Z")
That was probably it, which is why I couldn’t find it by searching for “toilet” in the thread title. My wife has ordered the toilet, it’s supposed to be at our local HD for pickup tomorrow. Not sure if she has the handyman lined up for the install yet or not. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/19 "2022-11-13T23:01:02Z")
I keep forgetting to come back and post an update. We’ve had the toilet for about a month now and my wife has given it a resounding two thumbs up. Her notorious toilet-clogging BMs go right down! And we both like the “comfort height” seat. It doesn’t look that much higher than the old one, but it’s definitely noticeable when you’re sitting down. The only complaint I have is that for a $450 toilet, the seat and lid seem kind of cheap. They’re just molded plastic. I suppose I could always replace it if I decide I really don’t like it, I just expected something a little more solid feeling for that kind of money. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176/20 "2022-11-13T23:20:48Z")
I got a Toto Ultramax a few years ago which is very similar (and asked about toilets on the SDMB [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-looking-to-buy-a-new-toilet-anything-i-should-know-gotchas-that-sort-of-thing/932544)). I like it too but, like you, I think the seat is a real let down and kinda lousy (was gonna say “shitty” or “crappy” but seemed too on the nose for the topic). For the price I really expected better. Otherwise it has worked great. A few times I thought it might want to clog but so far it has managed fine with no issue. EDIT to add: I have found that now I have soft-close toilet seats I tend to slam the seat down at friends’ houses that do not have soft-close. I am not trying to be a jerk. It’s just habit. Then I have to sheepishly leave the bathroom and apologize. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-we-have-a-thread-about-toilets-recently/972176.md?page=2)