All toilets created equal?

[Jim Beaver]

I've got 3 standard U.S. residential toilets in my house--all
different models but all bought at the same place a few years back.
Two of the three work just fine. But the third one stops up with solid
waste probably two out of three flushes. (It usually clears after 2-4
extra flushes, but sometimes requires a plunger.) My contractor
assures me that the waste pipes into which the toilets empty are all
the same size, so it seems clear it's an issue with this toilet.
Looking at the S-pipe outline on the lower side of the toilet, it
seems as though the path from bowl to floor waste pipe is pretty
similar on all three toilets. But only this one gets stopped up. (And
yes, the same people are using all three toilets.)

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

Jim B.

 

[Molly Brown]

I've got 3 standard U.S. residential toilets in my house--all
different models but all bought at the same place a few years back.
Two of the three work just fine. But the third one stops up with solid
waste probably two out of three flushes. (It usually clears after 2-4
extra flushes, but sometimes requires a plunger.) My contractor
assures me that the waste pipes into which the toilets empty are all
the same size, so it seems clear it's an issue with this toilet.
Looking at the S-pipe outline on the lower side of the toilet, it
seems as though the path from bowl to floor waste pipe is pretty
similar on all three toilets. But only this one gets stopped up. (And
yes, the same people are using all three toilets.)

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

Jim B.

What are the heights from the floor of the tanks for all three toilets
and what is the height of the one you’re having a problem with?

 

[Molly Brown]

I've got 3 standard U.S. residential toilets in my house--all
different models but all bought at the same place a few years back.
Two of the three work just fine. But the third one stops up with solid
waste probably two out of three flushes. (It usually clears after 2-4
extra flushes, but sometimes requires a plunger.) My contractor
assures me that the waste pipes into which the toilets empty are all
the same size, so it seems clear it's an issue with this toilet.
Looking at the S-pipe outline on the lower side of the toilet, it
seems as though the path from bowl to floor waste pipe is pretty
similar on all three toilets. But only this one gets stopped up. (And
yes, the same people are using all three toilets.)

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

Jim B.

Look at the flappers of all three toilets. Do you have the type of
flapper with a hole in it? How many holes do the flappers have? Is
there another small hole on the bottom of the flapper besides the
large one? Which toilets have more than one hole?

 

[LSMFT]

I've got 3 standard U.S. residential toilets in my house--all
different models but all bought at the same place a few years back.
Two of the three work just fine. But the third one stops up with solid
waste probably two out of three flushes. (It usually clears after 2-4
extra flushes, but sometimes requires a plunger.) My contractor
assures me that the waste pipes into which the toilets empty are all
the same size, so it seems clear it's an issue with this toilet.
Looking at the S-pipe outline on the lower side of the toilet, it
seems as though the path from bowl to floor waste pipe is pretty
similar on all three toilets. But only this one gets stopped up. (And
yes, the same people are using all three toilets.)

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

Jim B.

If the flushing volume is the same and the plumbing is the same there
can only be a partial blockage in the one. A toy block, a tampon string
caught on a screw or something. You may need to get a plumber to run an
endoscope or what ever it's called down the pipe to SEE what the problem is.

 

[Bob F]

I've got 3 standard U.S. residential toilets in my house--all
different models but all bought at the same place a few years back.
Two of the three work just fine. But the third one stops up with solid
waste probably two out of three flushes. (It usually clears after 2-4
extra flushes, but sometimes requires a plunger.) My contractor
assures me that the waste pipes into which the toilets empty are all
the same size, so it seems clear it's an issue with this toilet.
Looking at the S-pipe outline on the lower side of the toilet, it
seems as though the path from bowl to floor waste pipe is pretty
similar on all three toilets. But only this one gets stopped up. (And
yes, the same people are using all three toilets.)

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

Internal diameters vary, and I believe that some cheap toilets don't have the
S-pipe totally glazed.

 

[Robert Neville]

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

Fill a 5 gal bucket with water and pour it quickly into the bowl. If you get a
sarisfactory "swoosh" as the bowl empties, you don't have a drain issue.

Water pressure is immaterial - the flush comes from the storage tank. Pressure
just affects the refill time.

Builder special toilets are notorious for pour hydraulics. I have a couple of
Sterling's (made by Kohler) that are horrible. Replaced 2 of them with
Kohler Wellworth Lights that work fine. If you want to replace it, pick up a
copy of the latest Maximum Performance Test of low flow toilets here:

http://www.cwwa.ca/home_e.asp

Look for the link that says "6 Litre Toilets" and then click on the full
report.

 

[Stormin Mormon]

Glad someone else noticed, also. I'll do one better, that they are
piss pour hydraulics.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

Builder special toilets are notorious for pour hydraulics. I have a
couple of Sterling's (made by Kohler) that are horrible. Replaced 2
of them with

"Pour hydraulics" - That's the best Freudian I've seen all day!

 

[Jeff Thies]

I've got 3 standard U.S. residential toilets in my house--all
different models but all bought at the same place a few years back.
Two of the three work just fine.

They have flush ratings now, a 1 to 10 scale, toilets are not all the
same. Get a 10 and replace the one you have.

I'm happy with my Kohler 1.28 Cimmaron, the old old always had
problems.

Jeff


But the third one stops up with solid

 

[DerbyDad03]

They have flush ratings now, a 1 to 10 scale, toilets are not all the
same. Get a 10 and replace the one you have.

   I'm happy with my Kohler 1.28 Cimmaron, the old old always had
problems.

   Jeff

  But the third one stops up with solid

re: "they have flush ratings now, a 1 to 10 scale"

I'm not doubting your statement about a 1 - 10 scale, but I'd just
like share my experience.

Having just shopped for a toilet - but only at HD and Lowes - all of
the toilets were rated on a scale of 1 - 5.

Maybe if I had gone to a plumbing supply house, I might have seen a
different scale but the borgs only went up to 5 - and I don't think
that means that their best toilets are rated 5 on 1 - 10 scale.

 

[Stormin Mormon]

Crap, no!

 

[Jeff Thies]

re: "they have flush ratings now, a 1 to 10 scale"

I'm not doubting your statement about a 1 - 10 scale, but I'd just
like share my experience.

Having just shopped for a toilet - but only at HD and Lowes - all of
the toilets were rated on a scale of 1 - 5.

Maybe if I had gone to a plumbing supply house, I might have seen a
different scale but the borgs only went up to 5 - and I don't think
that means that their best toilets are rated 5 on 1 - 10 scale.

Go figure.

The ones I saw had a 1 - 10 flush rating with some labeled with the
WaterSense logo. Perhaps a local partnership with the government.

I asked about the ratings and was told that they measured this by
flushing bags of beans. The toilets I saw ranged from 3 - 10. A 3 being
only 30% flushed. I assumed this was universal... apparently not!

Regardless, get a good flushing toilet whatever the rating system is.
Google reveals little... The sites related are a mess.

Jeff

 

[DerbyDad03]

   Go figure.

   The ones I saw had a 1 - 10 flush rating with some labeled with the
WaterSense logo. Perhaps a local partnership with the government.

   I asked about the ratings and was told that they measured this by
flushing bags of beans. The toilets I saw ranged from 3 - 10. A 3 being
only 30% flushed. I assumed this was universal... apparently not!

   Regardless, get a good flushing toilet whatever the rating system is.
Google reveals little... The sites related are a mess.

   Jeff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes, WaterSense is sort of a govt/private sector partnership of sorts.

http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/

Many localities have rebate programs based on the WaterSense criteria
for purchasing WaterSense labeled fixtures.

You can check model numbers and specs for WaterSense labeled fixtures
here:

http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/product_search.html

 

[G Mulcaster]

Are the internal workings of the bowl-to-waste-pipe path standard from
company to company, or is there a wide range of variations? How can I
replace this toilet and be assured that the same problem won't result?

There are variations.

Here is another toilet test site which covers the capabilities of
various size flushes.

http://www.cwwa.ca/pdf_files/Map-Report-14th-Ed-05-2009.pdf

Based on this info, we purchased an American Standard Cadet 3 - 1.28
GPF (4.8 litre) flush. Works like a charm.

Of note: A blister in the toilet porcelain occured. As the finish is
warranted for five years, American Standard asked for an email photo
of the blister then shipped us a new toilet. Very happy.

Regards, Gary