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.