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Low flow toilet plumbing question

15 years ago

I remember hearing that low flow toilets didn't work well with the plumbing in older houses. I would like to get one and have researched models and manufacturers, but I need to find out if any changes to the plumbing will be required. Or will I just be changing toilets? My house started to be built(in stages) in 1938; and I have no idea when the current plumbing and toilet were put in. I would say the toilet looks like it's within the last 20 years.

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

justnigel
15 years ago
I suspect that your question has gone unanswered is because it's hard to answer. You might post to the plumbing forum... lots of plumbers there.

When low flow toilets became more prevalent (or mandatory), there were a lot of really crummy models out there. This might have lead to the perception that old house plumbing just didn't work well with low flow. My impression is that they've improved quite a bit in recent years.

On the other hand, I'm sure there are some houses out there that don't take well to low flow toilets. Let's hope yours isn't one of them.

My suspicion is that you're just going to have to change the toilet.
kelpmermaid
15 years ago
I think Nigel has it right; low flow toilets have improved since they came on the scene, so I wouldn't worry about it unduly. They had just become mandatory at the time I bought my LA condo, and there were some issues in the building (built circa 1968,) but those had to do with things that probably shouldn't have been flushed in the first place.

I was just at a housing conference where a man was showing those dual flush toilets from Australia. Those looked interesting.
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esga
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you both! I've bought the toilet (tax holiday weekend for energy and water efficient appliances) so we'll see . . . Many of the original homes here, including mine, were originally built for summer retreats (and cheap ones at that - this is not Newport) and added on to very haphazardly, so we are always discovering issues when we remodel and upgrade. I have wonderful newspaper insulation in part of the attic, for example.
Hoping for the best.

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