primitives discuss low-flush commodes

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=287x9315

Oh my.

struggle4progress  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jul-30-11 10:23 PM
Original message
 
What's your current advice on low-flush toilets?

My place was constructed before they were available, and I'm thinking I'll upgrade the most frequently used dinosaur to something more water-resource-friendly

I've found a couple of old threads:

Toilet question <3.5 years old>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

A Tale of Two Toilets <5 years old>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Po_d Mainiac  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jul-30-11 10:45 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. as long as you shat tiny turds.

Or can live with the cramps long enough to save the log for the restroom at work, you'll save water.

Dump a log in a watersaver, and you'll be bailing out the shower in order to get enough hydrolic action to make it go away.

struggle4progress  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jul-30-11 11:24 PM
Response to Reply #1
 
3. Yeah, that's pretty much what the plumber told me a decade ago

Adsos Letter  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jul-30-11 11:01 PM
Response to Original message

2. What about putting a brick in the current toilet tank?

Or something else to decrease the water used per flush? We had to do this in California when we were under water rationing a few years ago. As long as your current toilet will still clear with the reduced water input.

We have low-flush toilets; they tend to clog if you put too much tissue, or, uh, anything else in there...

Wash. state Desk Jet  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-31-11 01:13 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
4. Look Around

They have come out with a power flush about $200.00 $225.00 there abouts.

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Thu Aug-04-11 03:26 PM
Response to Reply #4
 
11. They have them all over in Italy, Spain, Portugal and France.

They're designed a little differently but they are in hotels and restaurants.

struggle4progress  (1000+ posts)        Mon Aug-01-11 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
6. Already have a brick in the tank and the float valve set so I only use about 5 gal/flush

And when I'm not expecting company, I follow the "if it's yellow let it mellow rule"

struggle4progress  (1000+ posts)        Mon Aug-01-11 01:27 PM
Response to Reply #6
 
7. Some calculations:

I estimate .73 cf/flush or about 5 gal/flush, taking into account the brick in the tank

At my current water rates that's about 30 flush/$

Replacing the toilet with a low flow would get me about 90 flush/$

That works out to about $1 saved for every 45 flushes. The toilet I'm looking at would run about $325. So it's got to be flushed about 14625 times to pay for itself in water use. If I flush it four times a day, that'll take about a decade

For a slightly better estimate, I might reckon 29 flush/$ with the old toilet, 94/$ with the new, and maybe I'd flush the new 6 times per day instead of four, with water rates going up about 14% over the next decade so I ought to count the water on average at about 7% above its current rate. Then I'd still be saving about $28/year, so it would take about 11.5 years to pay off

Kennah  (1000+ posts)      Wed Aug-03-11 03:47 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
9. I use a full 2 liter soda bottle in mine. Works fine.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-31-11 07:47 AM
Response to Original message
 
5. I have an ultra low flow desert special and I hate it

I keep a bucket in the bathroom for when it just doesn't have enough strength to send the contents down, defeating the purpose.

However, there are now models available with 2 flushing strengths. I will get one of these when I get around to upgrading the bathroom. I understand they work quite well, a treat for someone who is used to one that barely works.

Hassin Bin Sober  (1000+ posts)      Mon Aug-01-11 08:25 PM
Response to Original message

8. Take a look see here:

http://www.terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm

Terry Love is the toilet master. And a very nice man to host such a nice website.

First things first. Get an elongated bowl in comfort height - you will wonder how you ever lived without.

But there is a draw-back ... all that extra exposed surface in the "low flow" toilet and you want to get a model that offers "sanigloss" so you don't get, ahem, "tracks" in the toilet bowl.

Don't skimp and buy a $99 dollar special at Homer's.

Kennah  (1000+ posts)      Wed Aug-03-11 04:46 AM
Response to Original message
 
10. Well, I checked on Consumer Reports website, and thought ...

... HOLY SHIT! (I had to).

Looks like August 2009 was the date of the last tests. Only toilet to merit a Best Buy rating, and was under $300, was the Mansfield Alto 137-160 (1.6 gpf) at $150.

In their Recommended rating, there's the Gerber Ultra Flush 21-302 (1.6 gpf) for $300 and the Kohler The Complete Solution Cimarron K-11456 (1.6 gpf) for $350.

Also Recommended, and right at $400, is the Gerber Ultra Flush 1.1 EF-21-318 (1.1 gpf), Gerber Ultra Dual-Flush DF-21-318 (1.6/1.1 gpf), and Mansfield EcoQuantum 148-119 (1.6.1.1 gpf).

Mist  (1000+ posts)        Sat Aug-06-11 11:18 AM
Response to Original message

12. I upgraded my toilet on my mid-60s mini-ranch, and haven't been sorry. It used what seemed like 4 or more gallons to flush, and was a slow leisurely flush, so inefficient all around. I spent I think $250 for a decent low flush that I can hold the handle down on for a more vigorous flush. I also got a slightly elevated toilet (about 1.5" taller than standard) figuring as I age it'll be a nice feature. I really enjoyed watching my water bill go down about $8 a month. Those savings start immediately, plus you have a nice new "throne"!

Well, after reading all that, I'm hoping the gigantic primitive in Las Vegas doesn't have one of these, as probably he really needs Hoover Dam to flush away the job.

[thundley4]

struggle4progress  (1000+ posts)        Mon Aug-01-11 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
6. Already have a brick in the tank and the float valve set so I only use about 5 gal/flush

I don't think even the largest oldest tanks held that much water.

[Chris_]

The hotel bathrooms I saw in Alaska had a dual-flush feature.  Handy if you're on a septic system.  There were two buttons on top of the tank, one for a 1-gallon flush and another for whatever goes for solid waste (2.5 gallons, I guess).

If I ever get around to buying a home, I'm installing a urinal.

[GOBUCKS]

I don't think even the largest oldest tanks held that much water.

They did. I've seen some that held seven gallons.
But I wonder how one of those ultra-low-flow algore models would work for the Las Vegas Leviathan during his "floodgates open" phases.  
I suspect Jeannette and Joe the professional roommate would look for other accommodations.

[vadawg]

The hotel bathrooms I saw in Alaska had a dual-flush feature.  Handy if you're on a septic system.  There were two buttons on top of the tank, one for a 1-gallon flush and another for whatever goes for solid waste (2.5 gallons, I guess).

If I ever get around to buying a home, I'm installing a urinal.

erm i feel like a barbarian, but if its brown i sit down, if its yellow i go off the deck into the trees   

[Chris_]

Kinda hard to do at work or with tourists milling around.  But I like your style.

[LC EFA]

I replaced the cistern on my toilet a few weeks ago.

There were no cisterns readily available that weren't "low flush" - so I picked up a dual flush 3L / 6L one for about $70.

[vadawg]

Kinda hard to do at work or with tourists milling around.  But I like your style.

ah that is when you use other peoples facilities     i dont mind flushing their water, i do mind filling my septic system for nothing but urine 

[BattleHymn]

They did. I've seen some that held seven gallons.
But I wonder how one of those ultra-low-flow algore models would work for the Las Vegas Leviathan during his "floodgates open" phases.  
I suspect Jeannette and Joe the professional roommate would look for other accommodations.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Leviathan's algore toilet most likely needs two or three courtesy flushes throughout his bowel purge so that Jeannette doesn't end up spending valuable time mopping up the bathroom due to overflows- does he have a wall-mount toilet? 

I know some apartments have these, and with the Leviathan pushing the 350 pound mark when clothed and "fully loaded", he may very well be stressing the toilet to the point that it will break free from the wall as some point in time in the near future.  If the apartment owner is smart, he's already had a toilet support installed under that poor, suffering toilet.

[franksolich]

Notwithstanding the fact that the Leviathan's algore toilet most likely needs two or three courtesy flushes throughout his bowel purge so that Jeannette doesn't end up spending valuable time mopping up the bathroom due to overflows- does he have a wall-mount toilet? 

I know some apartments have these, and with the Leviathan pushing the 350 pound mark when clothed and "fully loaded", he may very well be stressing the toilet to the point that it will break free from the wall as some point in time in the near future.  If the apartment owner is smart, he's already had a toilet support installed under that poor, suffering toilet.

Oh my.

Were you by any chance here during Thanksgiving 2008, when exactly that sort of thing happened to the gigantic primitive, ruining his holiday?

[BattleHymn]

Oh my.

Were you by any chance here during Thanksgiving 2008, when exactly that sort of thing happened to the gigantic primitive, ruining his holiday?

   Not that I remember.  You wouldn't happen to have that link handy, would you?   

[franksolich]

  Not that I remember.  You wouldn't happen to have that link handy, would you?   

It's the link under the title "the gigantic primitive has a wet Thanksgiving;" there's a whole lot of links to his tales of woe here:

http://www.conservativecave.com/index.php/topic,38270.0

I erred--again--it was Thanksgiving 2009, not Thanksgiving 2008.

[FreeBorn]

Man, these primatives are much too attached to their daily ditty. I never gave it that much thought. Pull the lever, it's gone, done deal.

I did have a dog once that was absolutely enthralled with the whole toilet thing. Whenever I was in the "library" as I call it because that's where I catch up on my fishing magazines (see, DUmmies there are other things to ponder while you purge. Free your mind, your ass will follow) I would always see his shadow appear under the door. He couldn't wait for that door to open. Not because he was happy to greet me, he would knock me out of the way the second that knob turned. Instantly he would rush in and place his front paws on the seat just totally captivated with the water swirling and dissappearing. Cocking his head left and right, ears perked and letting out a sqeak Where does it go, dammit! Where does it go??? 

[diesel driver]

erm i feel like a barbarian, but if its brown i sit down, if its yellow i go off the deck into the trees   

A wise man (my Dad) once told me you weren't a man until/unless you've urinated off the back porch/deck of your own house.  I do it all the time.

Dad did get very irritated with me for doing the same thing off a hotel balcony, but I was only 5 at the time.   

[vadawg]

A wise man (my Dad) once told me you weren't a man until/unless you've urinated off the back porch/deck of your own house.  I do it all the time.

Dad did get very irritated with me for doing the same thing off a hotel balcony, but I was only 5 at the time.   

rofl yup my wife gets embarressed when my kids whizz wherever they are, we had to explain to our son that the diving board at the pool is not an appropriate place to go. (hes only 5 as well)

[diesel driver]

rofl yup my wife gets embarressed when my kids whizz wherever they are, we had to explain to our son that the diving board at the pool is not an appropriate place to go. (hes only 5 as well)

    

THAT'S funny right there!  I don't care who you are, that's funny!

[BlueStateSaint]

A wise man (my Dad) once told me you weren't a man until/unless you've urinated off the back porch/deck of your own house.  I do it all the time.

Dad did get very irritated with me for doing the same thing off a hotel balcony, but I was only 5 at the time.   

Gotta try it off the patio of my apartment . . . 

[Chris_]

A wise man (my Dad) once told me you weren't a man until/unless you've urinated off the back porch/deck of your own house.  I do it all the time.

yeah, my dad loved to "christen" new car seats. 

"It aint your car until you've farted in it."

[Karin]

struggle4progress  (1000+ posts)        Mon Aug-01-11 01:27 PM
Response to Reply #6
 
7. Some calculations:

I estimate.....

But if you take up beer drinking, you can increase your flushes to maybe 8-10 in a day, making payback that much shorter!  /DUmmy math


Ya know what's irritating?  Chicks who cannot pee anywhere except a bathroom.  I had a friend once who was postively bursting from drinking beer at a concert.   On the way home we stopped at some trees in a remote place, but she could not go.  Come on! 

[Aristotelian]

Gotta try it off the patio of my apartment . . .  

Wasn't there a DUmmy who did that a while back...I seem to remember sniffa (the one who always capitalised the letter 'L') posting about it.

[Erasmus]

There was a reason the old timers built 3.5 gallon toilets.  They worked.  It seems the guts of the new ones are simply garbage, no matter how much you spend.

[BlueStateSaint]

Wasn't there a DUmmy who did that a while back...I seem to remember sniffa (the one who always capitalised the letter 'L') posting about it.

While that may be the case, it's only 7 feet or so to the ground off of the patio.  I can see whatever might be glimpsing me. 

[Wineslob]

Wow, they don't know shit about shit. Color me surprised.  




Get an American Standard Cadet 3. 1.6 gal/flush  I haven't plugged it up yet in 4 years.  


Morans

[JohnnyReb]

I was talking a plumber the other day about low flow toilets. He says the new ones work just fine. Some toilet manufacturer increased the diameter of the out flow pipe by 1/2" and the problem was solved. He says you can flush a bunch of golf balls down it with no problem..but besides Obama, who shits golf balls?

[GOBUCKS]

Wasn't there a DUmmy who did that a while back...I seem to remember sniffa (the one who always capitalised the letter 'L') posting about it.

Wow! A blast from the past! sniffa, Mrs. sniffa, and the infamous bi-baby, the DUmp's hilarious menage a' moonbat.