- Had a similar experience with Kohler—solid stuff, but yeah, those replacement parts can sting a bit.
- Delta’s been my go-to for kitchen faucets. Installed one in 2012 and it’s still going strong, even with my kids treating it like a jungle gym.
- For toilets, I actually went with Glacier Bay once because the price was right. Regretted it after a year—constant running, weird leaks. Swapped it out for American Standard and haven’t looked back.
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“Learned the hard way that ‘lifetime warranty’ on a cheap faucet doesn’t mean much if the company disappears in two years…”
Totally get this. Had a “lifetime” warranty claim denied because the brand just vanished. Now I stick to names I see at every hardware store.
- One thing I do: check Habitat ReStore or salvage shops. Picked up a brand new Moen for half price once. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes it’s just old brass towel bars, but worth a look if you’re on a budget.
- If you’re handy, swapping out parts yourself saves a ton. Youtube’s been my best friend for that.
Delta and Moen have both held up well for me, especially in rentals where stuff gets a lot of use. I’ve swapped out a bunch of Glacier Bay faucets and toilets over the years—usually after a couple years of leaks or weird issues. American Standard toilets are solid, but I’ve had to replace a few flush valves. Honestly, I’d rather pay a bit more up front than deal with callbacks later. Salvage shops can be hit or miss, but every once in a while you score something decent.
I hear you on the Glacier Bay stuff—had a kitchen faucet from them that started leaking after maybe 18 months. Delta’s been my go-to for flips, but I’m always tempted by those vintage finds at salvage shops... ever tried restoring one of those old-school porcelain handles? Worth the hassle or nah?
Restoring those old porcelain handles is a bit of a gamble, honestly. I’ve done it a couple times—one turned out gorgeous, the other ended up with a hairline crack I didn’t even notice until after it was all back together. If you’re into the look and don’t mind a little elbow grease (and maybe some swearing), it can be super satisfying. The trick is tracking down the right replacement parts, which sometimes feels like a scavenger hunt from the 1930s.
I will say, nothing beats the feel of those old-school handles when they’re working right. They just have this weight to them that modern stuff doesn’t. But if you want something that’s gonna last without fuss, Delta’s hard to beat. I’ve got one in my laundry room that’s survived more abuse than I care to admit.
If you do go vintage, just be ready for some trial and error... and maybe keep a backup handy while you tinker.
I hear you on the vintage handles—there’s just something about them that feels solid, even if they’re a pain to restore. I’m actually in the middle of my first bathroom redo and was tempted by some old porcelain knobs I found at a salvage place, but I chickened out and went with new Moen stuff instead. It’s not as charming, but I figured I’d mess up the install or crack something expensive.
You mentioned Delta holding up well—do you think it’s worth spending a bit more for those over Moen or Kohler? I keep seeing mixed reviews online, and honestly, it’s kind of overwhelming. Also, if you’ve ever tried swapping out an old toilet, did you stick with a classic brand or go for one of those newer water-saving models? I’m worried about getting something that looks nice but doesn’t actually work that well...