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Is it even possible to buy & install a 3.5 gallon or 5 gallon toilet in a new home today? (can they be bought over the internet, in canada, mexico, etc)? This is my one dream in the new house I am building, Please help & tell me the liberals have not destroyed all hope of a good flush.
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I think you can still get them north or south of the border, don't know how to smuggle one though. Won't hardly fit in the spare tire. I'm a liberal who has considered changing the one in my shack to a 1.6, but the other day in my reading I realized that those flushes ain't squat compared to my old lady running the washing machine every day.
*I see lot of old toilets laying out in the backyards and empty lots around here - shouldn't have problems getting a used one - however, a GOOD used one, maybe not...Actually, I have a 1.6 in my current abode and it flushes better than the old 3.5 I had in my previous apartment. The new ones are a lot better than the old ones were.While I believe Federal law now mandates that newly manufactured toilets be low flush, I would guess that it would be up to local codes as to what actually had to be installed. Some communities got really stringent during some past periods of drought.For a limited discussion of low flush toilets (circa 1998) check: How 1.6 GPF Technologies Impact Today's Plumbing Conservationhttp://www.flushmate.com/report/report.htm For an article (circa 1996) on low flush problems see: http://www.theplumber.com/times.html
*I'll piggyback on your thread here as it is related...Why is it that I never see urinals in homes? Almost every commercial men's room has them. Seems like they would be the ticket for mostly male households in water short areas. The latest ones that I see indicate "1 litre per flush" which would put them considerably below 1.6 gal for a low flush toilet. Is it that they normally use a "Sloan" valve that requires more pressure or volume than most house plumbing provides? Is it just convention? Too much trouble to clean? Smell worse than toilets? Or are all bathroom designers women? (actually, I have seen a few women's urinals in schools). Are there any low flow urinals available that might work better in a residence than the normal commercial units?
*Casey, I gotta agree with you on this one.I see Bidet's being installed in more and more houses and how often our THOSE things actually used? But a urinal? Maybe a little tacky,but a couple of pee spatterring toddlers would soon point out the urinal benefit many times each and EVERY day.Good Luck,Stephen
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I had a relative pick me up 2 in Canada last weekend. They did not have to smuggle it, mearly declare it and pay the duty. They are not Illegal to have and to own, they just aren't making them here anymore. I got 2 white 3.6 gallon units and ahhhhh the sweet sounds they make....kawoooosh. Brian K.
Toilet Purchase more dangerous than a Pot dealBefore we bought our house,It sat Vacant through the winter.This would have been fine if thewater pipes had been drained, butsince they weren't, we were leftwith a few pipes in need of repair.For example when the toiletwas running for no reason withsome leakage below, I foundhairline cracks at the bottom ofthe bowl, another casualty ofsub-zero temperatures.I went to the hardware store and purchased an average model toilet and brought it home and installed it.Because it was an old house and theway the pipes were installed the toilet did not even have enough power to flush out the water with nothingelse in it. I brought it back to thehardware store and I was informed thatthe only toilets now available are thenew, low-flow toilets."I just want the samemodel," I told him."They haven't sold thosesince '94," he said. "The government decided to save water,making them illegal. The bestyou can do is a 1.5 GPF""GPF?" I asked."Gallons per flush. Uses less'water, but doesn't pack much ofa punch," he said.I replied: "Do you know any,dealers that might carry the oldtoilets?" "That would be illegal for me to even suggest such a place he countered. I said I understood and he said I would need to check out the junk yards,and...""Hold on," he said. "It wouldbe illegal for me to suggest a place; however, if you happenedto find a card on the floor ..."Pulling a card from his pock-et, the hardware man he let itfall to the ground. When Ipicked it up, he was gone.After several hours driving around II found the place in a bad partof town. It was an old, dilapidated building with brokenwindows. A shady charactersmoking a cigar sat behind thecounter. "I'm looking for oldtoilet," I said. He got up, closedthe door, and pulled the shadedown."What makes you think Icarry illegal merchandise?" heasked, blowing cigar smoke inmy face.""Word on the street," I said."Look, I don't want any trouble,I just need an old toilet."He asked: "How do I know you'renot a cop?" At this point I decided tocome clean"Hey, I'm not here to playgames. We can just forget the wholething, I'll just go.""Calm down," he said. "I dida nickel stretch in San Quentinfor illegal toilets and I have to becareful."I replied: "I understand. So,can we do business now?""Follow me," the proprietorsaid, walking to a heavy metaldoor in the back. Opening a padlock the size of a car battery, he pushedopen the door and threw on a lightlight switch, illuminatingrow upon row of gleaming toilets, lined up like soldiers."These first three rows are all 3.5 GPF " he said. "Gallonsper flush," I replied."You know your toilet abbreviations," he said. "I'm impressed." ,"Who do you think you'redealing with, some kid?" Iasked."I'm sorry I misjudged you,"he saidNow that I had his respect, ICould negotiate a better deal. Isaw a small section of toiletsnear the back. "What aboutthose?" I asked."You do know your stuff!â€Those are top of the line bowls,with a 6.5 GPF!"Upon hearing this, it was difficult to remain Calm, but I didn't want to blow this deal. "I'lltake one," I said."They're pricey; are you sureyou don't want ""Enough talk," I said. "Let'sdo the deal!" I couldn't showany weakness now; I had cometoo far. He went back, disassembled it, and packed it in a box,marked "Government Approved, Low-Flush Toilet."Driving home, I kept myeyes on the rear-view mirror,making sure I wasn't followed.Back at the house, my knees buckled as the shock of what I haddone sunk in. I had seen a side of "me that I didn't know existed. Ittook a 6.5 GPF toilet to bring outthe evil within, just to have a toilet that could suck down a basketball.There are drawbacks. I can never allow a guest in my hometo use it. The risk is too great, theywould call the government toilet hotline and turn me in. The rest of my life, I will be looking over my shoulder, living in a constant state of paranoia.Am I sorry I did it? No.Would I do it again? Probablynot, since the government justenacted the new "Three Flushes, You're Out" Law.I wouldn't want to end up ona chain gang.
that was great. Thanks.
SHGFor every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.
-H.L. Mencken
Hi.
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I have a few of them I have saved throught the years as I remodel. I think they're better, not only for the flush, but if you have any long runs in your waste lines, I hate the thought of the water "running away" from the solids. - jb
*There b is a company out there that makes urinals for home use. I think they're pretty cool. They use 10 onces of water per flush, and they shut flat against the wall. Some of you "Home Improvement" fans may remember Tim and Al showing one of these on their TV show a while back. Best of all, they close b "flush"with the wall. (Sorry, I couldn't resist that one)They have a home page at:http://www.mistermiser.com/
*I do a lot of restoration work. I go to the local building salvage yard, and pick up some old fashioned toilets. There is very little that can go wrong with them. Check the flange. If is is chipped, or even cracked, don't even think about buying it. The rubbers and seals can be re-built from a kit for about $10. To clean the jets, just add some muriatic acid for the first flush.You know, I'm no woodsy the owl, but tell me, do how much water do you save if it takes 2-3 flushes to get a darn t*rd down the hole? Before last month, I had 4-5 Home Depot specials, and would just install them, get the plumbing approved, and jerk them out and install the regular toilets after the inspector left, and save the HD specials for another day. This month, here in Los Angeles, the City enacted an historical code which allows high flush toilets in any building with historical significance.I expect the National Code to follow shortly.
*I've got some too. An avocado one, a sick pink one, a sleazy blue one, etc., etc. Can't even sell em at the garage sale. I've got a perfect avocado cast iron Kohler tub you can have free if you pay the freight.
*Casey, I installed one in a residence about 8 weeks ago. They had a small bath with two young boys and a Dad with piss-poor marksmanship. The Mom is thrilled, she gets the seat to herself now, and as an added bonus it's always down and dry. They're quite happy with it and are contemplating another in the downstairs bath, but, believe it or not, they're concerned with what visitors will think.
*No thanks, I just keep the white ones. (avacado? pink? you must be in The Bay area!) ;-)
*...not only that, but the water isn't consumed, it's just used. Doesn't it eventually evaporate and rain back down? I don't get it. - jb
*Is there a urinal that looks ... nice(r)? Not a bad idea at all for conservation (not the topic poster's concern) and those "pee-spattering toddlers" we seem to have one of.I have heard proposed toilets with light and heavy flush for different materials.
*Well it starts out drinkable, and then it's not. :)
*The other reason (aside from low usage) is that sewage treatment systems can actually produce cleaner effluent with more concentrated influent. The dirtier it comes in, the cleaner it goes out. Also - with lower water usage, the facility can be smaller. These facilities and systems I am referring to are either your septic tank or your sewage treatment plant.My Kohler will flow as long as you hold the handle down, so we probably average 2 or 2 1/2 gallon flush.-Rob
*We had better hope that the Clintonites don't pick up on this thread. There would be massive attacks on toiletries across the land. We will be fed stories on how those water wasting monsters are KILLING our CHILDREN...."they are just like Hitler during WWII".Now go out and hug a water supply line,Pete Draganic
*I just finished a large addition to my house. The county allowed me to add a 4th bedroom without altering my septic system if I switched to low-flow toilets. I went to HD, saw an Eljer toilet that had a sticker saying "top rated by Consumer digest" for only $69. I ended up buying 4 from Coast to Coast hardware for only $59 each. So far 5 months with no runs, no leaks, no errors, no second flushes!
*Hi Ron,I went to that website. If it isn't too pricy I will get one for my detached work shop.Thanks,Ron
*Jim,Just be aware that Consumer Digest is not Consumer Reports. The former accepts advertising and sometimes (coincidentally, I'm sure) rates its advertisers as "best buys." The latter accepts no advertising and will sue any company that announces that it was rated so-an-so by Consumer Reports. None of the independent ratings place Eljer very high on their lists. I'm glad you're having success with them.
*What brands were rated highly by CR?
*Basically the same ones that are cited at Terry Love's Web site . Included also was the "newer" Kohler Wellworth design. Something to remember is that, with some exceptions like Toto, good performance does not necessarily apply across a whole product line but is usually found in specific models.
*Hi Barry,Actually, the toilet I used, "Eljer Patriot" is listed on that website, says "good flush". I think its a good low-cost choice for a "plain white toilet" if that is what someone is looking for...jim
*Pete,All those sunbelt folks will come flocking back to the great lakes when it starts costing them about 12 bucks to flush the toilet.I know they have heard rumors that we still water our lawns up here,but wait till they find out about long waistfull showers.At least we've got plenty of water HERE,Stephen
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Is it even possible to buy & install a 3.5 gallon or 5 gallon toilet in a new home today? (can they be bought over the internet, in canada, mexico, etc)? This is my one dream in the new house I am building, Please help & tell me the liberals have not destroyed all hope of a good flush.