Quiz Week: How old is your toilet?

How old are your toilets?

A:   They are brand new.

B:    They are antiques that came with house.

ANSWER:   Any toilet made before 1994 is likely to be using a whopping 5 gallons of water per flush.     A

US

government mandate that began in 1995 requires that all new toilets installed in homes use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. 

Even if your old toilets are in great shape, it's worth replacing them with a low-flow toilet.   In some communities, they are collecting vitreous porcelain and crushing them down for use in roads... but those instances are rare.    If you can't find a place to recycle it, send it packing to the landfill.  The overall eco benefits of a water saving toilet far outweight the disposal.

Today, even greener toilets are coming to market called Dual Flush toilets, which use just .8 gallons of water or the standard 1.6 gallons.  You push Button #1 when you need to flush, um, #1….and #2 when....  You get the point.

Comments

[robiewankenobie]

really? it's better to put it in the landfill? why not just use the brick in the tank trick?

[allison]

Or, you can do what some people in rural Missouri do, and use the old toilet as a planter.
I secretly think it's a clever idea. You could have a whole bathroom fixture garden!

[Michael]

I love the old bath stuff in the garden too. We see it in rural PA a lot.

[Kelley]

we are in the market for buying new toilets soon and have been to both lowes and home depot. neither sell the dual flush toilet, I went on the website and they told me florida was the closest place I could purchase one, that is nowhere near me in Nashville. does anyone have a list of resources for these?

[anonymous]

The toilet in our apartment was made in the 1940s. It still works well so our landlord won't replace it. I can't wait for apartment buildings to start paying for water on an as-use basis in our city!

[Ruth]

I'm glad to see that Dual flush toilets are becoming available in the US. I live in Australia and it is not often you come across an old single button toilet. Dual flush have been around for more than 20 years...the original designed in 1980 and since been refined to use even less water.
I guess since we live in a country with a large proportion of desert we have a bigger incentive to do these things. Glad to see you publicising these toilets!!
Yay for dual flush and our precious water supply. (I suppose rain water tanks are not on your list? due to the drought here - they are quite popular in the city now. It means you can water your garden.)

[The Shopping Sherpa]

Before you rip out the whole toilet, check to see if you're able to replace just the cistern.

That's what my landlord did with both my toilets...

[Jenn]

Most people I know can't replace their toilets because they live in rental apartments-- so the best option is to reduce the toilet's consumption while keeping the unit intact:
http://tinychoices.com/2007/08/25/easy-peasy-tip-reduce-your-toilets-water-consumption/

Also, there are retrofit kits available for older toilets, which will enable your current toilet to do the half/whole flush trick.

[Ruth Gore]

Just had to replace our very old toilet. Got the Toto GMax Drake and LOVE IT! Lots less water use,and the company makes a dual flush like the aussies have, too! If you are sick of .8 and 1.6 gallon toilets that clog or have poor bowl wash, google Terry Love and read his reviews. You won't be sorry, and it may prevent your buying a new low water use toilet, and having to replace it within the year like my nephew!

[mod*mom]

5 gallons per flush?!
that's an eye opener

[Shawn]

We have a dual flush toilet - .8 & 1.6 gpf like you mentioned. It's the Sterling Cadet (made by Kohler) and we bought it locally (Rockford, IL) from a plumbing supply place almost 3 years ago. I have no idea if it's still made, but we've been pretty happy with it.

I don't understand why it has taken so long for dual flush toilets to come to the U.S.

[Frank]

For those who aren't able to obtain dual-flush toilets, an effective alternative is to just go by the rule, "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." This will save you approximately 60-80% (depends on frequency of yellow to brown) on toilet water.

[Michele]

We have the Toto Aquia dual flush and absolutely love it! I soon plan to replace the other 2 toilets w/this one. It is very effective - the 2nd button is rarely used.

[Leiniesred]

We got our dual flush at costco. toilet in a box. Works better than the old 5 gallon unit.

[Leigh]

I like my old 1940s toilet. It's a beauty. The new ones are ALWAYS having to be plunged - or you'd better be a 3 flusher. By the time you flush three times, you've probably used more than 5 gallons of water. I'll keep my old one flusher 4ever.

[Jennifer Primich]

Does anyone have any info on 1940's? Channel brand toilets? I have 2 art deco looking ones in my house that work beautiful but am getting ready to remodel, I want a pill back toilet but am happy with what I have.