Potty Talk

[Common Sense Al]

Got my new toilet system working. It upgrades the toilet so you can select between two water level usages - a low one for liquids (like #1's) and a larger amount of water for solids (like #2's).

I probably wasted more water adjusting it and figuring it out than it will save, but I think it's working right now.

Maybe in the future they will have wi-fi connected toilets that will keep track of your #1's and #2's, then it can notify the FWSD district when you've had an excessive number of #2's and then jack up your bill. Of course you'd also get an email or text alert when you get close to your limit.

Speaking of toilets, all three of our toilets had an issue in the last 2 or three weeks. I've had to replace 2 broken toilet valves from the cheap junk that David Weekley had put in because the rubber ring or whatever in the valve must have broken. I replaced them with the quarter turn type. So far so good - they haven't popped off . Today, a flapper just broke on the one toilet that hadn't broken (easily fixed but didn't notice the water waste for awhile ). One should now be fixed with the new water saving system and I ordered another one to fix the other toilet that is leaking. It seems that a week can't go by without something breaking and the house is only about 7 years old (I guess it's starting to get "old" ).

In case anyone is wondering, this is what I bought (about $30 shipped):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IY ... os_product

I also have a new kitchen disposal coming since they put in a crap unit as well and it's cracked and leaking.

[JKTex]

Dang it Al, you may have just added more to my project list! I've had to tweak on 3 toilets recently for everything from the valve not shutting off completely to leaking flappers to one that just decided it wants to siphon a little air and "burp" for a few minutes after it's done filling. The dogs think that's interesting to listen to.

I'm tired of installing new stuff and giving up trying to adjust the water levels to conserve as much as possible yet make them work right.

I hate that they charge the same shipping per unit no matter how many units you buy, but I may just stock up!! (hmm, maybe I'll spread the word and the 99% being disbanded can move on to the greed of the 1% toilet flusher empire. "Occupy the Toilet" )

BTW, it's impressive to see the who appears to be the owner of the company responding to reviews on Amazon.

BTW part 2 - Does it flush any quieter than the standard valves? And although it'll depend on the bowl design, does it have any issue fully flushing with the #1 flush? Although it appears that each flush can be adjusted so that may be moot.

[Common Sense Al]

I hate that they charge the same shipping per unit no matter how many units you buy, but I may just stock up!!

Yep, I noticed that too.... I was going to buy two more but decided to get one more for now since the shipping was the same per unit.

BTW, it's impressive to see the who appears to be the owner of the company responding to reviews on Amazon.

I mainly looked at the overall star rating, but I should check out (read) some reviews since I did have some trouble getting it to work right at first and not sure why yet though I think it could be related to the bend in the toilet handle control wire or something. I wonder if any of the reviews mentioned anything about that... will have to check.

There are some nice install videos on their website.

BTW part 2 - Does it flush any quieter than the standard valves? And although it'll depend on the bowl design, does it have any issue fully flushing with the #1 flush? Although it appears that each flush can be adjusted so that may be moot.

Unfortunately I don't think it's any quieter (but not a big deal)... and yes, each 'flush type' can be adjusted.

My tip: stay away from those Korky QuietFill valves... they don't seem to last.

[JKTex]

I'll find out too. I have 1 ordered. It would have been 3 if it weren't for 3x the shipping. If it's not that great, I'll have ordered and installed 1 instead of 3. Shame, on their part. Although, if it works, I'm good for 2 more next time.

[love Lantana]

lowes sells same tupe of thing

[Common Sense Al]

I got my other two ONE2FLUSH units today and installed another one on my other leaky toilet... this was easier having installed the first one. I really like these units!

By the way, the toilet tank bolts already had significant corrosion even though the house is only about 7 years old... is that typical or just the use of more low quality stuff? It's nice to get them replaced.

JKTex, did you get yours? I would imagine you should have by now.

As for Lowe's selling the same type of thing, I feel more comfortable with the one on Amazon since it is so highly rated.

[skiing1974]

Al,
corroded bolts seen here too in December, house 8 years old.

[JKTex]

Mine came in today and I'll install it tomorrow.

It's not uncommon for the bolts to be bad. As a matter of fact, even broken and not know it. I've replaced the all in ours just because I've had to remove the toilets for flooring, or gaskets etc. and it's just easy to do it. Of course using stainless so they'll last longer.

I'm surprised at this kit. At < $30 it's not only complete with everything you need, including new stainless tank bolts, but it just feels really well made. I can't believe I'm looking forward to working on a toilet!

BTW, did your kit come with the little water drop sticker things for the tank by the flush handle he shows in the video's? I haven't opened the bags up yet, but I didn't notice them.

[Common Sense Al]

I'm surprised at this kit. At < $30 it's not only complete with everything you need, including new stainless tank bolts, but it just feels really well made. I can't believe I'm looking forward to working on a toilet!

Yep, it's nice to get away from the computer for a little and work on the toilet with this kit. Only one more toilet to go though... I'm wondering if I should wait till it needs repair again or just go ahead and get it done.

BTW, did your kit come with the little water drop sticker things for the tank by the flush handle he shows in the video's? I haven't opened the bags up yet, but I didn't notice them.

Yes, it did... it was taped to the instruction sheet.

[Brian]

With all the technology there is today, how is it the toilet is still the same design for decades? Or longer? If you think about it, we put our business into a pot that is filled with water. This aint much different than a bear or deer going its business into a river. Pretty antiquated to me.

Are you to tell me there is nothing better out there? How about sharks with friggin lazer beams?

[JKTex]

It's in. I'll reserve further comment until they get back to me and send out a flush valve that actually works.

At least I'm hoping the half flush really should half flush every time, and it should actual adjust and be consistent? Full flush dang near double flushes and half flush does whatever it wants to each time. It may be a full flush or it may be a 2" drop in water. I'm sure it's a bad valve, and I'm hoping there's more adjust-ability out of one that works right too. Full flush, as conservative as possible, and with the water level down as far as possible, flushes more than it did. When set up as it should be, the water level is 3-4" higher than it was and full can't adjust back enough to compensate, and half flush is a crap shoot. Working as it should, I'm sure it's a pretty slick kit.

Installation's easy, and adjusting everything isn't bad either, if it would adjust. But I'll reserve any further comment...... :LOL:

[Common Sense Al]

At least I'm hoping the half flush really should half flush every time, and it should actual adjust and be consistent? Full flush dang near double flushes and half flush does whatever it wants to each time.

That's interesting, I thought I was having issues with the 1/2 flush at first too (on my first install) where it would sometimes 1/2 flush and sometimes not. Is that what's happening?

After raising the water level to about 1" above the flush valve cap and trying to make sure that the blue "handle line" is as "rounded/smooth" as possible (no kinks), it started working reliably. I did some other fiddling with it too. I am not sure if it was my fault or what so I didn't mention it here... I didn't have the problem with the 2nd unit, and it could be because of what I learned installing the first. Oh yeah, make sure your handle is connected properly, especially that square cable box. I don't think I put the box on right the first time (I didn't push it in far enough before locking it). Maybe that was causing the problem.

If you want to post photos of your install... I can check it out.

I took some photos of mine by request of their tech support when I asked about the issue I was having. Perhaps they asked you for some photos too.

[JKTex]

Bruce actually got back to be last night, quickly! He had me send pictures and his suspicion was cable binding, and it appears he's right and sounds like the same with yours.

That cable is sensitive! He wanted me to reinstall the controlled box so the cable exited downward but I can do that in mine because of the handle location. I flipped it so it's exiting up and made a smooth loop to the valve and it worked great. Luckily I have enough relief in the tank lid that it doesn't push it down enough to bind it. I still want to try to reconfigure it, but I'm not sure I'll have any other options, but as long as it works, it works.

The next trick is balancing half and full flush. I had the water level way down to just below the top of the valve but I may need to raise that back up a little to get enough of a half flush. The problem in my case is, that still puts the water level higher than it was, so 1 full flush is more than a flush used to be. That may balance out though, and eliminate 2x flushing. And with the half flush working right, it might make it worthwhile.

So the jury is out as to whether it's save much water for me, but just the way that it functions it worthwhile. It's just that between tweaking the bowl fill line (with valve that isn't great), the water level and flush levels, it can be a nearly endless tweak!

I think I've flushed Flower Mound clean by now!!

<insert political follow up here>

[JKTex]

I could have just said, you're absolutely right about the "handle line".

BTW, I noticed in the flush handle when it was binding, and more free. It's probably something he needs to highlight in the video's.

[Common Sense Al]

BTW, I noticed in the flush handle when it was binding, and more free. It's probably something he needs to highlight in the video's.

Yes, I think they need to do a better job of stressing the proper installation of the handle, cable box, and wiring as it's very important.

I think I am getting good results by bring the water level to about 1 inch above the flush valve cap and setting the 1/2 and full flush to use the least amount of water (the setting closest to the tank lid).