Low Flow Toilets

We installed a low flow toilet about 6 months ago. The first few months were awful as we had to plunge it all the time. Someone told us just to hold the handle down a bit longer when flushing a BM and for us that has done the trick for the most part.

I hate low flow toilets.
Some of the newer ones are better.
There's nothing you can do about it short of replacing the toilets with newer models.
I know they were trying to save water.
But think about it.
They want you to wash food residue out from recyclable containers (pasta jars, tuna cans, milk jugs, mayo jars, etc).
So - we use less water with the toilet (in theory - MANY have to be flushed multiple times and some of the ones with a pressure assist are quite loud) but use more water to throw out the trash.

The low flow is that when you urinate it only takes one flush.. this is less water than the traditional flush. Saves water.

If you have a BM then , yes, that is when you flush twice. The newest have 2 flusher buttons. the one on the left for urine. the one on the right is more powerful for BM..

The first low flow toilets were awful and often became clogged. (First hand experience of several of them while visiting family in Las Vegas.) The newest iteration of these toilets work much, much better. We've had them installed and have had no problems. Read some reviews of low flow toilets on the internet and start thinking (or saving up) to replace the ones you've had. It's really a structural issue, so just changing a flush mechanism isn't the best way, if you want to preserve the water-conservation part of it. (Although that's a good short-term solution.)

We have low flow toilets. They were installed when the house was built about 11 years ago. Our contractor told us to be thankful we had a newer version. The older versions didn't work and required multiple flushes. I imagine you are one of the lucky ones to have the older model low flow toilets.

We put low flow toilets in last year and haven't had any problems with either having to flush twice or with clogging. I would contact the manufacturer.

I think ours a low flow, but installed in the past 5 years (right before we moved in). They sometimes have to be flushed twice (usually if you go #2), and they tend to clog easier, but the clogs aren't too troublesome. I don't like them mostly because the water does not wash over the whole basin and they get dirtier faster. Otherwise, no real problems.

You can retrofit the flushing mechanism. Probably take about ten minutes, unless you forget to turn off the water, then it takes a lot longer and causes people to laugh at you.

This might be a bit graphic, but bear with me.

Try one or both of these strategies to minimize the number of flushes to 2 rather than 3.

a. use a mercy flush. in other words, about 1/2 way through the deed, send the soldiers through. The rest should go through more easily.

b. flush before you wipe. then flush the tp through.

either way, you may be able to avoid the third flush.

good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

Does the ole brick in the tank work?

Otherwise I am guessing that they may be some of the first generation low flow toilets. Maybe try switching one out with a newer model to see if it gets any better?

I know our newer toilet uses less water but I don't think it is considered to be the high efficiency so it works just fine.

I know exactly what you are saying! We had to have the plumber out here at least 5 times for clogs the first 3 months we had low flow toilets. He told us it was our fault! I've been flushing the toilet for years and even had a couple of low flow toilets and never ever had any issues like this.

We finally got new toilets and they flush just fine. Those other toilets had tiny tiny....throats? and the tissue would not go down.

YUCK!! I am sorry!!

Toilets can be replaced fairly easily....they are heavy but you might be able to get one of your boys to help you!!

here's a How-to from Home Depot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_hVZ3rPzm4

The toilets that flush!!! can be expensive - about $500 - but if you don't have to waste water any more!! and since they typically last about 20 years - or more.....the cost isn't sooo bad!!!

Do you want us to come down and help you?!?!?! My husband's a good handyman!!

Hi, F:

Have you looked inside the tank?
Just have a plumber change the
inner workings of the tank.
Good luck.
D.

In our old house, we filled a bucket for "power flushing". My youngest couldn't do it on her own, but then again, she seems to think that I want to *see* every BM she produces.

LOL!

My husband and I have become masters at using the plunger since having low-flow toilets! We should be called "The Clog-Busters"