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

I hear you on the Delta and Moen - never had much trouble with either, even in houses where the pipes look like they belong in a museum. I’ve had mixed luck with American Standard too, but nothing beats the old-school stuff for reliability. Ever tried messing with those “touchless” faucets? I put one in a flip last year and it was more hassle than it was worth... batteries dying, sensors freaking out. Curious if anyone’s found a brand that actually nails that tech, or is it just not worth it for older homes?

Touchless faucets sound cool in theory, but in practice? I’ve yet to see one that doesn’t end up being a pain, especially in older homes where the wiring and water pressure can be unpredictable. I get the appeal for hygiene, but honestly, the constant battery changes and random sensor glitches just aren’t worth it. If you’re after reliability, sticking with mechanical handles is still the way to go - less to break, easier to fix, and way less frustrating in the long run.

I hear you on the touchless faucet headaches - I've installed a couple for clients who loved the idea, but after a year or two, most of them wanted to swap back. The random "not turning on" moments when your hands are full of dough or paint are just... not fun. And yeah, in older houses, chasing down wiring issues or dealing with low pressure can turn a simple upgrade into a weekend project you didn't sign up for.

That said, I’ve had decent luck with Moen’s mechanical faucets - nothing fancy, just solid brass internals and easy-to-find parts. Delta’s another brand that seems to hold up well over time, especially their basic models without all the bells and whistles. For toilets, I keep circling back to Toto. They’re not always the cheapest upfront, but I swear they never clog and the parts last forever.

But here's something I've been wondering: has anyone tried those hybrid faucets that have both manual and sensor options? Do they actually solve any of these issues or just add more stuff that can break? And while we’re at it, what about toilets with dual flush mechanisms - worth it long-term or just another thing to fix down the road?

Curious if folks have found any brands or models that hit that sweet spot between modern features and old-school reliability. Sometimes it feels like every new "innovation" is just another future headache...

That said, I’ve had decent luck with Moen’s mechanical faucets - nothing fancy, just solid brass internals and easy-to-find parts.

I hear you on the “every new ‘innovation’ is just another future headache...” line. Couldn’t agree more - sometimes it feels like we’re beta testing for the manufacturers. I’ve tried a hybrid faucet (Kohler, I think?) and honestly, it worked fine for about a year, then the sensor started acting up and I just used it manually anyway. As for dual flush toilets, they do save water but the extra mechanism means more fiddly parts to clean or replace. I still lean toward Toto for toilets - simple, reliable, and easy to fix if something does go wrong. Sometimes less really is more.

I get the appeal of sticking with basics, but I’ve actually had decent luck with some of the newer touchless faucets - Delta’s Touch2O in particular. The tech isn’t perfect, but for clients with kids or messy cooks, the convenience sometimes outweighs the occasional sensor hiccup. As for dual flush toilets, yeah, more parts means more maintenance, but I’ve found that not all brands are equal - some (like Caroma) seem to hold up better than others. Sometimes a little innovation pays off... just depends on how much hassle you’re willing to risk.