- Had the same battle with a 70s kitchen sink—thing was basically immortal, but finding parts was like hunting for unicorns.
- For swaps, I’ve had really good luck with Moen and Kohler. They’re not the cheapest, but I swear their cartridges are everywhere, and you don’t need a degree in plumbing to fix them down the road.
- Toto toilets are my go-to lately. They flush like a jet engine and just... work. Plus, the build feels solid, not flimsy like some of the “budget” brands.
- Vintage stuff is cool if you’re into the look, but I got tired of playing detective every time something leaked.
- Salvage yards can be goldmines, but you gotta be ready to roll up your sleeves and maybe get a tetanus shot (kidding... kinda).
- If you’re flipping or just want less hassle, modern fixtures save so much time—and honestly, some of the new designs look pretty slick without screaming “IKEA showroom.”
Swapping out old faucets and toilets—what brands actually last?
I hear you on the vintage fixture struggle. I once spent a whole Saturday trying to track down a replacement handle for a 60s-era tub faucet—ended up with a Frankenstein setup that worked, but looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. After that, I pretty much swore off anything that requires more than a quick trip to the hardware store for parts.
Moen’s been my go-to for faucets for a while now. The install is usually straightforward, and I’ve never had to hunt down some obscure part when something wears out. Kohler’s solid too, though I feel like their stuff can be a bit pricier for similar quality. Delta’s not bad either, especially if you’re flipping and want something reliable but not super high-end.
Toto toilets are kind of in a league of their own. I put one in my own place after getting tired of plunging the old builder-grade special every other week. Haven’t had to think about it since, which is honestly all I want from a toilet. American Standard’s Champion line is decent too, but Toto just feels sturdier.
I get the appeal of salvage yards—there’s something satisfying about finding a unique piece—but man, the time investment isn’t always worth it if you’re trying to keep projects moving. Plus, I’ve had enough tetanus scares for one lifetime.
Honestly, unless you’re restoring an old house for the character, modern fixtures just make life easier. Some of the newer designs actually look pretty sharp without being over-the-top trendy. And yeah, not everything has to scream “IKEA starter pack.” There’s a sweet spot between boring and “trying too hard,” and brands like Moen or Toto seem to hit it more often than not.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with some of the newer “boutique” brands popping up online? I keep seeing ads for them but haven’t taken the plunge yet... always a little skeptical about long-term durability when there aren’t decades of reviews out there.
I’m with you on Moen—just swapped out the kitchen faucet and it was way less stressful than I expected. Parts were easy to find, and I didn’t have to call my dad for backup (for once). For toilets, I went with American Standard mostly because it was in stock at my local store, but now I’m wishing I’d tried Toto after hearing so many good things. As for those boutique brands, I keep seeing them on Instagram ads but honestly, I don’t trust anything that looks too pretty in the photos... feels like you’re paying for the vibe more than the guts. Maybe that’s just me being cautious, though.
I hear you on the boutique brands looking a little too curated, but I actually tried one—Watermark, I think—on a flip last year. Honestly, it surprised me. The install was a pain, but the build quality was solid and the buyers loved the look. Sometimes the “vibe” does add value, at least in resale. Still, I stick with Moen or Delta for my own place... way less hassle if something leaks down the road.
Totally get what you mean about the boutique brands—some of them do look great, but man, the install can be a headache. I’ve had a few jobs where the “designer” faucet needed extra adapters or weird tools. Still, if it helps with resale, sometimes it’s worth the hassle. For my own place though, I’m with you—Moen and Delta just make life easier when something inevitably needs fixing.