Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 6 votes
Hi everyone, anyone recommend a good brand for toilets. I'm a landlord of a 2/2 condo that I've owned for almost 20 years
and it's time I to replace both toilets. I spoke with a handyman a friend recommended to install it. Also how much is average install cost I should pay? But when I went to the local HomeDpt, there are so many toilet brands I simply can't tell which is a good one to buy in the 100 to 200 dollar range? I do know I want white and elongated. Any suggestions are highly appreciated.
If you want a cheap toilet that still has quaility and is easy to work on buy a gerber. You won't get Gerber at a box store but its much better quality than the crap that they sell in box stores.
Kohler is pretty good across the whole line. If you want something a little nicer Toto makes some toilets that have a nice flush and are mid range. American standard isnt horrible either just not my first choice of brand.
I'm a plumber and install countless toilets a year. For price to quaility I have the least amount of issues with Gerber.
I go with the cheapest big box. Usually the $100 one. I've never been told by a tenant or potential tenant that they don't want to rent this house because "the toilet isn't nice enough"
Good morning, very true! My question is because I've read poor reviews about the required new low-flush toilets that are 1.2 gal. and clog. Just asking if one model has better flushing than another model. But thanks for the average price suggestion. Thank you!
@Ramona Huot my plumber friend recommends American Standard. Like most things I buy for my rentals, I go for the step up from the cheapest.
I’ve found the cheap toilets do tend to clog more and don’t flush as well. I’m willing to spend an extra $40-50 on a mid-range toilet if it means less headache for my tenants and me.
Hi Mike, thank you for the brand suggestion! What you say is exactly what I'm trying to avoid....LESS headaches and LESS plumber calls. Really appreciate your reply,
In defense of the cheapo toilets (😂), I've used the $99 AquaSource Henshaw model from Lowe's in several houses and haven't gotten a single call about clogs or poor flushing. Plus, it's a bit higher than standard models.
I personally like the Glacier Bay Dual Flush toilets. I bought mine for $99 three years ago almost and have not had a single issue with it. IMO best toilet ever.
If you want a cheap toilet that still has quaility and is easy to work on buy a gerber. You won't get Gerber at a box store but its much better quality than the crap that they sell in box stores.
Kohler is pretty good across the whole line. If you want something a little nicer Toto makes some toilets that have a nice flush and are mid range. American standard isnt horrible either just not my first choice of brand.
I'm a plumber and install countless toilets a year. For price to quaility I have the least amount of issues with Gerber.
I still go with the cheapest especially if I can get them on sale SOR. I recently picked up a couple of nice non-stock American Stds for $25 a piece with all the fittings & seats. The Kohler cylinder flush has been a constant problem for us & having installed several that haunted us with leaks I am glad we have since sold those properties. I recently toured an expensive new build with the $99 Glacier Bay toilets so I assume they haven't had issues with them.
We spend $99 (before tax) every time, wax ring included. However, this is before installation. To get someone on-site to install a toilet is going to be roughly $125.
My go-to is Kohler Highline in my rentals. One point to remember about American Standard enameled fixtures is that they have a bright-white finish that's significantly whiter than a lot of stuff made by other companies, simply doesn't match.
@George W. is not the first plumber I've heard endorse Gerber for long-term functionality and Toto for something a step up. I've heard a number of older guys talk about the value of putting in a wooden seat. Can't see that I see that myself, but cheap hollow-molded plastic seats can and will crack.
I have tried Glacier, Aqua, Kohler, Delta, Sterling, American Standard and some others.
I have had issues with delta compact elongated. Flush broke twice and sometimes clogs.
Glacier the cheapest one the issue was the gasket between tank and back broke after 2 months.
In the end I still checked the reviews and looked for ones that have a bigger drainage opening and a more powerful flush.
Had better luck with the glacier products that were a step up from the cheaper ones, American standard and some kohler.
Before putting the new toilet I either put hot water or draino in the pipe and then put a very good quality jonny wax ring before putting the new toilet.
Sadly, you certainly Can go wrong with Kohler. I've has the same problems with the Category 5 siphons that @Pat L.talked about. The thing won't seat right and the water keeps running. I still like the Highlines, but I have to take the bitter with the sweet. I wouldn't trust them with a hard water source.
Glacier Bay isn't an actual brand. Glacier Bay is Home Depot's store brand. The Lowe's equivalent is Project Source.
@Dawn P. I also use the aqua source henshaw toilets. You can get them for $64 when you buy 4 or more. I had one flush mechanism break but it was a 1 min fix.
Go with Penguin with overflow protection. It’s a special order @ HD but if a tenant clogs the toilet it has a separate drain near the top to skip the clog and flow back into the pipe. For $160 you can’t beat it. One overflowing toilet will cost much more than the difference in toilet. Put 15 of them in the last 12 months without a single toilet call!
After losing thousands of dollars in high water bills due to running toilets that tenants didn't tell me about, I insist on using Niagara toilets. They cost around $150 and plumbing specialty stores sell them. They don't have a flapper or any type of rubber seal that will dry out and cause the toilet to run. The water fills a well, which the lever causes to dump in order to flush. The porcelain is also glazed throughout, so crud won't get stuck in the drain. Cheap toilets lack glaze in the drain and stuff builds up, causing clogs and overflows. Also, make sure to use a big gasket/wax ring on the floor, not a cheap thin one. A good one is only a few dollars more and well worth it to prevent leaks!