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

Kohler toilets are tanks, honestly. I’ve had one in my guest bath for over a decade, and it’s still going strong with just the occasional flapper replacement.

Couldn’t agree more on Kohler. I swear, those things could survive a small meteor strike. I’ve flipped a few houses where the only thing left working was the Kohler toilet - everything else was toast.

On the faucet side, Moen’s cartridge system is basically idiot-proof. I’m not saying I’ve ever put one in backwards at 2AM while half-asleep, but... let’s just say if you do, you’ll know pretty quick. Delta’s older stuff can be a pain, but their newer models aren’t bad once you get past the “how many Allen wrenches does one faucet need?” phase.

Hard water is the real villain here though. Even “spot free” finishes are like that one friend who promises to help you move and then bails halfway through - you think they’ll stick around, but nope. I started running a vinegar rinse through everything every couple months and it helps, but let’s be honest: if your water eats through metal, there’s only so much you can do.

If anyone’s curious about American Standard toilets - they’re decent, but I’ve seen more finicky flush valves on those than I care to remember. For pure longevity and less fiddling? Still team Kohler.

At this point, my cleaning routine is basically: scrub, soak in vinegar, replace what breaks, repeat. It’s not glamorous but hey - it works (most of the time).

- Kohler toilets really are the MVPs - mine’s outlasted two bathroom remodels and a couple of clumsy plumbers.
- Moen’s cartridges have saved my sanity more than once, but I’ll admit, I’ve had a Delta faucet where the handle got wobbly after a year. Maybe just bad luck?
- Hard water is relentless. I tried those “miracle” spot-free sprays - no dice. Vinegar soaks are my go-to too, but sometimes I just give up and let the finish look “vintage.”
- For toilets, I’d add Toto to the list. Pricey, but the flush is next-level and they’re surprisingly low maintenance.
- If you’re swapping out faucets, don’t skip on braided supply lines - they’re cheap insurance against leaks down the road.
- My cleaning routine is basically yours: scrub, soak, replace...and occasionally curse at calcium buildup. It’s a process.

If you’re swapping out faucets, don’t skip on braided supply lines - they’re cheap insurance against leaks down the road.

Couldn’t agree more on the braided lines. I’ve seen too many disasters from folks reusing old plastic ones. On brands, Kohler and Toto are both solid for toilets - rarely get callbacks on those. For faucets, Moen’s internals hold up, but I’ve had better luck with Grohe for long-term durability. Hard water’s a pain, but a whole-house filter can help if you’re tired of scrubbing. Sometimes the “vintage” look just wins, though...

I’ve had mixed results with Moen - sometimes the cartridges get sticky after a few years, especially with hard water. Grohe’s definitely solid, though I find their replacement parts a bit pricier. Anyone tried Delta lately? I keep hearing their newer models are easier to repair, but I haven’t swapped one in for a while. Curious if they’re holding up as well as the old ones did...

- Totally get the Moen struggle - mine started squeaking like a haunted house after a few years.
- Grohe’s great, but yeah, my wallet cries every time I need a part.
- Delta’s newer stuff? Had to swap a kitchen faucet last year. The quick-connect hoses are actually pretty slick, and the cartridge was way easier to pop out than the old ones.
- Durability seems decent so far, but I’m not sure they’re as bombproof as the 90s models.
- Side note: if you’re dealing with hard water, those cheap inline filters can save a lot of headaches... and maybe your sanity.