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

“I’ve spent more time troubleshooting ‘smart’ faucets than I ever did with a basic Delta or Moen.”

Couldn’t agree more on that point. In older homes, simplicity wins almost every time. I’ve swapped out dozens of fixtures in houses from the 1920s-60s and the “tried and true” brands - Delta, Moen, Kohler - tend to hold up and just make life easier. When you’re dealing with weird pipe sizes or questionable water pressure, the last thing you want is a faucet that needs an app update.

Toto for toilets is a great call. I’ve also had good luck with American Standard - parts are everywhere, and their classic models just work. Sometimes I’ll save vintage handles or tanks if they’re in good shape, but usually only if the homeowner really wants that look.

Honestly, the fewer moving parts, the better. Anything electronic in a wet environment is just asking for trouble long-term. It’s not glamorous, but being able to fix something at midnight with a crescent wrench beats waiting three days for a replacement sensor to ship.

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

“Honestly, the fewer moving parts, the better. Anything electronic in a wet environment is just asking for trouble long-term.”

That line really nails it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a bathroom remodel where someone wanted to keep their “smart” faucet, only to discover it’s been blinking red for months and nobody knows why. The idea of needing WiFi to wash your hands just feels... risky.

I do think there’s a bit of nostalgia at play with some of the older fixtures, though. I’ve seen original Kohler sinks from the 1950s that still look great with just a little polish. But I’ll admit, sometimes those vintage handles are more about aesthetics than function - especially if you’re dealing with hard water buildup or decades-old valves that don’t want to budge.

Delta and Moen seem to be the workhorses for faucets. They’re not always the flashiest, but when you’re trying to match finishes or swap out cartridges, it’s a relief to know you can actually find the parts at any hardware store. I’ve had less luck with some of the “designer” brands - beautiful in catalogs, but good luck finding a replacement aerator five years later.

On toilets, I’m with you on Toto and American Standard. Toto’s flush is almost legendary at this point (and yes, I’ve tested it with golf balls - don’t ask). American Standard is everywhere, which makes repairs less of a headache.

One thing I’ll push back on: sometimes clients really want touchless or sensor faucets for accessibility reasons. In those cases, I try to steer them toward models with manual overrides or at least ones where you can still use the faucet if the electronics fail. It’s not perfect, but sometimes convenience wins out over longevity.

At the end of the day, if you can fix it with a wrench and a trip to the hardware store, that’s usually a win in my book. But every now and then, someone wants their bathroom to feel like a spaceship... and who am I to argue?

At the end of the day, if you can fix it with a wrench and a trip to the hardware store, that’s usually a win in my book.

That’s exactly how I feel, especially living in a house that’s been around since the 1920s. I’ve got a couple of old American Standard sinks that have outlasted at least three generations of owners. The porcelain is chipped here and there, but the hardware is surprisingly solid. I did have to replace one faucet last year - tried to keep the original, but the threads were shot and I just couldn’t stop a slow leak. Ended up going with a Moen because I could actually find a matching finish and replacement parts without turning it into a scavenger hunt.

I will say, those vintage handles are charming but can be a pain when you’re dealing with hard water like we have here. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth all the vinegar soaks just to keep them turning smoothly. But there’s something about the weight and feel of old brass that modern stuff can’t quite match.

Smart faucets are neat in theory, but I’d rather not need tech support for my plumbing. My neighbor installed one for his guest bathroom - looked cool for about two weeks until it started acting up. Now he mostly just grumbles about it.

For toilets, I’m definitely on Team Toto. Had one installed about ten years ago and haven’t had to touch it since - not even for the flapper. That’s saying something in an old house where everything else seems to need constant attention.

I get why people want all the bells and whistles, especially for accessibility, but for me, reliability wins every time. If it lasts decades and doesn’t require me to learn a new app, that’s a plus.

I totally get the appeal of sticking with what works - my place isn’t quite as old, but I’ve been learning the hard way that “vintage charm” often means “quirky repairs.” When I swapped out my bathroom faucet, I went with Delta mostly because the replacement parts were easy to find and the install was pretty straightforward. The instructions were actually clear, which felt like a small miracle.

Here’s what worked for me: I shut off the water, took a bunch of photos before disconnecting anything (saved me later), and used plumber’s putty instead of silicone for the seal. Less mess, and it’s easier to redo if you mess up. For hard water, I started using those little faucet aerator screens you can unscrew and soak in vinegar - saves a lot of hassle.

On toilets, I hesitated between Toto and Kohler. Ended up with Kohler because it was on sale, but honestly, it’s been solid. No leaks or weird noises so far. I do wish I’d splurged on the Toto though - everyone seems to rave about them.

Smart fixtures look cool but I’m with you... if it needs WiFi, it’s not for me.

Delta’s been my go-to for faucets too - can’t beat the combo of price and reliability. I tried a Moen once because it looked “sleek,” but the cartridge started leaking after a year. Lesson learned: looks aren’t everything. On toilets, I actually went with Toto for the main bath and yeah, it’s as good as folks say. The flush is weirdly satisfying and it’s never clogged, even with kids in the house. I’m with you on smart fixtures - if I need an app to flush, I’m out.