Swapping out old faucets and toilets - what brands actually last?

- I hear you on Moen - solid, but their style’s a bit “safe.”
- For toilets, I went with American Standard last time. Not glamorous, but it’s handled my kids’ “experiments” without complaint.
- Honestly, I’d love to see a faucet that lasts longer than my phone’s charging cable... but here we are.
- Cast iron relics sound cool until you try to move one up a flight of stairs.

Cast iron relics sound cool until you try to move one up a flight of stairs.

That’s exactly what I’m worried about. I found this old-school cast iron tub at a salvage place and it looked amazing, but then I started picturing the logistics... yikes. For faucets, is “safe” style really that bad if it means fewer leaks? I’m still trying to figure out if it’s worth paying extra for something like Delta or if I’ll just end up replacing it in a few years anyway. Anyone ever regret going with a cheaper brand?

Delta’s been solid for me, honestly. I’ve tried cutting corners with some off-brands in my rentals, thinking it wouldn’t matter, but I always end up fixing drips or swapping them out sooner than I’d like. “Safe” style isn’t glamorous, but if it means less maintenance calls, I’ll take it. The only time I regretted the cheaper route was when a faucet handle literally snapped off in a tenant’s hand... not a great look.

I hear you on Delta - they’re kind of the Toyota of faucets. Not flashy, but they just keep working. I’ve swapped out enough mystery-brand handles to learn my lesson too. Moen’s been pretty reliable for me as well, especially if you want something that doesn’t look like it belongs in a dentist’s office. The cheap stuff always seems like a good idea until you’re crawling under a sink at 9pm because someone’s got Niagara Falls in their bathroom...

Delta and Moen both seem to have their fan clubs, but I’ve had mixed results with each - maybe it’s just the quirks of my 1920s house. A few things I’ve noticed:

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Delta - they’re kind of the Toyota of faucets. Not flashy, but they just keep working.

- Moen’s been solid for me too, especially their older single-handle stuff. The newer ones look better, but I swear the finish on my 15-year-old Moen is holding up better than the one I put in last year.

- For toilets, I’m still running an old American Standard Cadet that refuses to die. It’s not “efficient” by modern standards, but it never clogs and the parts are dirt cheap. The newer low-flow models seem hit or miss - some flush like a champ, others you’re plunging every week.

- Avoiding “mystery brands” is key. I once tried a fancy European faucet (can’t even remember the name) because it looked cool... ended up with a leaky mess and no way to get replacement parts without ordering from overseas.

- One thing I wonder: does anyone else find that some of these new “lifetime warranty” claims are more hassle than they’re worth? Had a Kohler faucet where the finish started peeling after three years - sure, they sent a replacement part, but it took weeks and a ton of back-and-forth.

- If you’re dealing with old plumbing like me, sometimes the best bet is just sticking with brands that have been around forever. At least you know you’ll be able to get parts when something inevitably goes sideways.

Curious if anyone’s had luck with newer brands like Pfister or Grohe? Or is it just safer to stick with the classics and call it good?

At least you know you’ll be able to get parts when something inevitably goes sideways.

That’s the kicker for me - parts availability. I tried a Grohe once (looked sharp, I’ll give it that), but tracking down a replacement cartridge was a wild goose chase. Ended up swapping it for a Delta just to keep my sanity. Pfister’s been okay in my rentals, but honestly, nothing beats being able to walk into any hardware store and find what you need. Those “lifetime warranties” sound great until you’re washing dishes in the bathtub for two weeks...

- Totally hear you on the parts chase.
- Delta’s been my go-to for years - never had to special order a thing, just grab it off the shelf and get back to work.
- Moen’s decent too, but sometimes their cartridges are weirdly pricey.
- Had a Kohler toilet in one place that lasted forever, but when the fill valve finally died, I had to wait a week for the “right” part.
- Lifetime warranties are nice in theory, but I’d rather fix it today than wait for shipping... especially with tenants calling every hour.
- For rentals, I stick with whatever’s easiest to service - looks are secondary when you’re the one doing midnight repairs.

Delta’s been solid for me too - can’t beat just walking into the supply house and grabbing what you need. I’ve had similar luck with American Standard, especially for toilets. Their parts seem to be everywhere, and I swear those Champion flush valves are built like tanks. Moen’s cartridges, yeah, they sting a bit price-wise, but at least they’re usually in stock.

Kohler looks nice, but man, tracking down their internals can be a pain. Had a Cimarron that needed a new canister seal and none of the local shops carried it... ended up rigging something just to get by until the part came in.

Curious if anyone’s tried those off-brand “universal” fill valves or faucet cartridges? I’ve had mixed results - sometimes they work fine, other times it’s just more hassle. Wondering if it’s worth sticking to OEM or if there’s a brand out there that actually nails the universal fit.

Kohler looks nice, but man, tracking down their internals can be a pain. Had a Cimarron that needed a new canister seal and none of the local shops carried it...

Had a customer insist on one of those “universal” fill valves once - figured it’d save a few bucks. Ended up back there two weeks later when it started hissing and wouldn’t shut off. OEM’s pricier, but I’ve wasted more time chasing leaks with the cheap stuff.

I hear you on the universal parts - tried that route once with a 1920s wall-hung toilet. The “fits all” flapper didn’t quite fit, and I ended up with a slow leak that took me ages to track down. Ended up ordering the OEM part online, which cost more and took a week, but at least it actually worked.

With faucets, I’ve had better luck sticking to brands like Moen or Delta. The cartridges are usually easy to find, even for older models. Swapped out a 1970s Delta kitchen faucet last year - took maybe 20 minutes since the parts were still stocked at the local hardware store. Kohler looks great, but I agree, their internals can be a headache to source if you’re not near a big box store.

If you’re dealing with older fixtures, sometimes it’s worth paying extra for the right part upfront instead of gambling on something “universal.” Saves time and frustration in the long run... at least in my experience.

Funny you mention the “universal” flapper - ran into the same headache with a 1950s American Standard toilet. The so-called universal one was just a hair too big, and I didn’t realize it until I noticed the water bill creeping up. Ended up tracking down a weirdly specific gasket online. With faucets, I’ve had decent luck with Price Pfister too, though their older stuff can be hit or miss for parts. Ever tried tracking down internals for vintage Crane fixtures? That’s a whole other rabbit hole... Curious if anyone’s found a modern brand that actually holds up as well as those old tanks and taps did.

That “universal” label is such a joke sometimes. I’ve been burned by it more than once - especially with toilets from the 50s and 60s. You’d think after all these years, someone would make a flapper that actually fits those old tanks, but nope. I had to do the same thing: measure the old gasket, hunt around online, and hope the one I ordered wasn’t just another “almost fits” situation. It’s wild how a tiny gap can send your water bill through the roof.

Price Pfister’s a mixed bag for me too. Their newer stuff seems okay for the price, but I’ve had handles get loose or cartridges start leaking after a couple years. The older ones, if you can find parts, are tanks. Crane, though... man, that’s a whole different beast. I tried to fix a friend’s 1960s Crane faucet once and ended up on some obscure plumbing forum just to figure out what the part was even called. Ended up swapping the whole thing for a modern Delta because it just wasn’t worth the hassle.

If you’re looking for something that’ll last, I’ve had decent luck with Kohler and Delta. They’re not as heavy as the old brass stuff, but at least you can still get parts without going on a scavenger hunt. Here’s what’s worked for me:

1. Always take the old part to the store if you can. Even if it’s gross. Matching it up in person saves so much time.
2. Don’t trust “universal” unless you’ve checked the measurements twice.
3. For toilets, if you’ve got an old model, check online forums for the exact year/model. Sometimes there’s a niche supplier who specializes in vintage gaskets and seals.
4. For faucets, stick with brands that have been around a while and still support their older models. Delta’s customer service has bailed me out more than once.

It’s definitely not as easy as it should be, but you’re not alone in the rabbit hole. Sometimes I wonder if these old fixtures are worth the trouble, but then I see how flimsy some of the new stuff feels and I get why folks want to keep the originals going.

Totally get what you mean about “universal” - I’ve wasted more money on those than I care to admit. One thing I’d add: if you’re on a budget, sometimes it’s worth checking local plumbing supply shops instead of the big box stores. They’ll sometimes have those oddball parts or at least point you in the right direction. Also, if you’re swapping out old faucets, don’t toss the original hardware right away. I’ve reused washers and screws from 60s fixtures that fit better than anything new. And yeah, Delta’s customer service is solid, but I’ve actually had decent luck with American Standard too - parts are usually easy to track down and not crazy expensive. Just my two cents.

I swear “universal” means “fits nothing I own.” I tried one of those kits and ended up with a leaky faucet and a bruised ego. Agree on keeping old parts - my house is basically held together by mystery screws at this point. Delta’s been good to me, but American Standard’s toilets seem to survive anything.

I hear you on the “universal” kits - half the time, it feels like they’re made for some alternate universe where all plumbing is standardized. I’ve learned to keep a bin of random washers and weird-sized nuts just in case. Honestly, Delta’s cartridges have saved me a ton of hassle, but I did have one Moen faucet that outlasted everything else in my last place.

American Standard toilets are tanks, though. I dropped a wrench on one (don’t ask) and it didn’t even chip. Meanwhile, I’ve had a couple of Kohler handles snap off way too soon for my liking. Sometimes I wonder if the older stuff was just built tougher, or if I’m just getting less patient with repairs as I get older... Either way, if you find a part that fits perfectly, hang onto it like gold.

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened a “universal” kit and just laughed - nothing ever lines up right. I’m with you on Delta; their stuff just seems to go in and work. But man, those old Moen faucets are like cockroaches - just never die. Had one in a rental that survived three tenants and two kitchen remodels. American Standard toilets really are built like little fortresses... I once saw one survive a dropped hammer *and* a kid trying to flush a Hot Wheels car. Kohler’s hit or miss for me too - great looking, but sometimes the handles feel like they’re made of cheese. The older gear does seem tougher, or maybe we’re just nostalgic for when things didn’t come with 14 different plastic adapters...

Swapping out old faucets and toilets - what brands actually last?

Delta’s been my go-to for years, too - never had one leak on me yet. But you nailed it with Moen; I pulled a 90s Moen out of a house last year that looked like it’d survived a tornado and still worked fine. Those “universal” kits are a joke... I swear, the only thing universal about them is the frustration. American Standard toilets are tanks, but I’ve had a couple Kohlers where the finish wore off faster than I could say “remodel.” Maybe it’s just luck of the draw these days.

I hear you on the “universal” kits - last time I tried one, I ended up making three trips to the hardware store and still had to jerry-rig a solution. Never again. I’ve had similar luck with Delta, though I did run into a weird issue with one of their pull-down kitchen faucets where the sprayer hose started leaking after just a couple years. Could’ve been a fluke, but it made me a little more cautious.

Moen’s durability is wild. I once demoed a bathroom in a 70s ranch and the Moen faucet was so caked in hard water deposits it looked fossilized, but after a vinegar soak, it worked like new. Meanwhile, I’ve had some newer Kohler stuff that looked great out of the box but started pitting and losing its finish within a year or two. Maybe it’s the water here, maybe it’s just not what it used to be.

American Standard toilets are beasts, no doubt. I’ve put them in rentals and they just keep going, even with tenants who treat them like public restrooms. Toto’s another one I’ve had good luck with - pricey, but I swear they flush better than anything else I’ve installed.

Curious if anyone’s tried those newer touchless faucets or “smart” toilets? I keep seeing them pop up in higher-end flips, but I’m skeptical about how long all those sensors and electronics actually last in a real-world setting. Are they worth the hassle, or just another thing to break down the line?

Touchless faucets are popping up everywhere lately, but I’ve got mixed feelings. I’ve specified them in a couple of kitchen remodels, and the feedback’s been all over the place. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

1. Installation is usually straightforward, but you have to factor in where to stash the battery pack or power supply - sometimes that means drilling extra holes or rerouting plumbing.
2. The sensors can be finicky, especially if your water has a lot of minerals or if the sink gets splashed a lot. I’ve had clients complain about “ghost activations” or the faucet not turning on when their hands are right there.
3. Maintenance is a different beast. When they work, they’re super convenient (especially for messy cooks), but once something electronic goes out, it’s not like swapping a washer - it’s usually a whole replacement module.

I’m curious how these hold up in busy households with kids or in rentals where people might not be gentle with them. Has anyone actually lived with a smart toilet or touchless faucet for more than a year? Are they still working, or did they end up as expensive paperweights?

I hear you on the mixed results. I’ve put touchless faucets in a couple of my flips, and honestly, it’s a gamble - especially in rentals. The first year, they’re usually fine, but after that, it depends on how careful folks are. Kids seem to love playing with them, which can drain batteries fast or mess up the sensors. I’ve had better luck with Moen and Delta models; Kohler was hit-or-miss for me. If you’re set on touchless, I’d say stick to brands with good customer support and easy-to-find replacement parts. Otherwise, a solid manual faucet still wins for long-term durability.