Archives for 2010

Visiting Costco last week, I was looking at a Dual Flush toilet they had on sale there for $140. I didn’t overly like the look of it, and wondered about the quality (I really prefer Toto toilets), so went on my way. However, hidden in another section of the store, they had a big pallet of Dual Flush conversion kits for $20. The kit they have is this one, the HydroRight. It’s “tool-less” to install, and looked like it was built well.

A purchase later, and a drive home, and I started the install. Seemed easy enough, but after finishing, I noticed the toilet was tripping from the tank into the bowl. Annoying dripping sound. So, I took the kit all out, and went about trying to get it to now leak.

The instructions are pretty clear, but I think they leave a diagnostic out. The easiest way to test for leaks is to basically install the base of the unit, and leave the valve part off. Then use something to fill the tank up to the top of the base, and mark the water level. Wait a bit, and check the level. I went so far as to dry the inside of the valve housing out so I could see if it was leaking. It took 4 tries installing it, but I finally got it. The key is, less is more, and use the rubber o-ring.

So, first, put in the base, and use the cam adjuster if needed. Then, put the o-ring down the overflow tube and make sure it’s making contact with the top of the base that slides around the overflow tube. Now, LIGHTLY (like, two fingers on the valve base, and one on the o-ring) press on the o-ring, and the base, and tighten the zip-tie. Then, put some water in the tank, and check for leaks.

After about half an hour to an hour, check the water level, and if it’s good, you should be able to install the rest of the valve. All and all, it works great. The half-flush does great, and the full is the same as the previous full-flush, which was great.

After that was done, I decided to really pimp my toilet out. After looking at the site for the HydroRight, I saw they offer a new fill valve that is easily adjustable, fills faster, and cleans out the tank in the process (oh, and allows adjusting the amount of water sent into the bowl, which saves water). The valve in question is this one. It was $10 at a local TrueValue. I brought it home, and installed it in maybe 10 minutes, max. It is, quite honestly, extremely cool. It really makes me realize the person that designed it must have been a plumber. The nut that tightens it onto the tank is designed to click when it’s tight, and the wings you use to tighten it have wings that will bend before you crack the tank. Biggest issue people have with toilets are installing them and cracking the tank or the bowl due to bolt/nut over tightening.

The valve also has a nice feature that cleans the tank when it’s filling it. While my tank wasn’t dirty by any stretch, it wasn’t clean. After a couple flushes with this valve, it’s now pretty good looking.

[xrr rating=8.5/10 label=”Dual Flush Conversion Kit:”] I’d give the dual flush conversion kit a higher score except its trickiness of install. The instructions were clear, but they might have been a bit better. The cam adjuster seemed, not intuitive. But still, great product.

[xrr rating=9.5/10 label=”Fill Valve:”] Perfect scores are impossible in my mind, but honestly, I don’t see any problem at all with this fill valve, and it may be the best single toilet “upgrade” you could buy. Even for a brand new one.

I’m not a plumber, but I would highly recommend either/both of these items to anyone who has a 5/3.5/1.6 gallon per flush toilet. They’ll save you money, and more importantly, they’ll save water.