Retrofitting an old tank isn’t always a bad idea, honestly. I swapped out the guts in a 70s American Standard with a Fluidmaster kit and it’s been working fine for years. Just double-check the fit—sometimes the old tanks are a weird size or shape, so you might need to get creative. It’s way cheaper than a new toilet, and if you’re handy, not too much hassle.
That’s a solid approach—sometimes those old tanks have more life in them than folks realize. I’ve done similar retrofits in a few rental units, and it’s surprising how reliable they can be with updated internals. You’re right about the fit, though... had one where I had to trim the fill valve just to get the lid back on. It’s a good reminder that a little creativity can save a lot of money, especially if you’re managing multiple properties.
It’s a good reminder that a little creativity can save a lot of money, especially if you’re managing multiple properties.
- Couldn’t agree more—my motto is “if it ain’t leaking, it’s still got potential.”
- For faucets, I’ve had Moen outlast just about everything else. They’re not the cheapest, but I swear they survive tenants who think “gentle” is a setting on the washing machine.
- Toilets... honestly, old American Standards are like cockroaches. I’ve got one from the 80s that’s seen more action than my first car and still flushes like a champ.
- That said, I tried swapping in some off-brand stuff once to save a buck—regretted it. Spent more time fixing leaks than I did installing them. Lesson learned: cheap up front usually means expensive later.
- And yeah, trimming fill valves or wrestling with weird tank shapes is basically a rite of passage. If you haven’t had to MacGyver a part with a hacksaw and some creative language, are you even in this business?
If you find something that actually lasts longer than my patience with plumbing repairs, let me know...
If you haven’t had to MacGyver a part with a hacksaw and some creative language, are you even in this business?
That line made me laugh—been there way too many times. I’ll second you on Moen for faucets; they just seem to take a beating and keep working. I’ve had mixed luck with Kohler, though—sometimes solid, sometimes the finish flakes off faster than I’d expect. Old American Standards really are tanks, but finding parts for those relics can be a pain. Honestly, I think half the job is just figuring out which brands won’t make you regret your life choices six months down the road.
Honestly, I think half the job is just figuring out which brands won’t make you regret your life choices six months down the road.
Isn’t that the truth? I swear, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve stared at a leaking faucet and thought, “Well, this is karma for buying the ‘good deal’ brand,” I’d have enough to actually buy a Grohe.
I’m with you on Moen—those things are practically indestructible, and the cartridges are easy to swap. Plus, they tend to be more forgiving if you’re trying to keep things eco-friendly. Their newer models actually have some solid low-flow options that don’t feel like you’re washing your hands in a drizzle.
Kohler’s a weird one for me too. Some of their stuff looks great out of the box, but I’ve seen finishes pit or flake off way sooner than they should. Not always, but enough that I’d hesitate to put them in a rental or anywhere that sees heavy use.
American Standard is basically the cockroach of fixtures—just refuses to die. But yeah, hunting down a replacement part for a 30-year-old toilet can turn into a full-on archaeological dig. I’ve had luck with some of the newer Toto toilets as well. They’re not always the cheapest, but the internals seem to hold up, and they’re usually pretty water-efficient. Not to mention, parts are surprisingly easy to find (at least where I am).
One thing I will say—sometimes it’s worth looking at how easy a fixture is to repair before buying. Some brands make you replace the whole assembly for a $2 seal that’s buried in some proprietary housing. Others are actually designed so you can fix them without needing a degree in engineering or a third arm.
Anyway, if I never have to hacksaw another corroded nut off an old faucet again, it’ll be too soon... but who am I kidding? That’s basically a rite of passage at this point.