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

I hear you on the Grohe price tag, but honestly, I’ve got a pair of their old-school handles in my 1920s bathroom that have outlasted just about everything else in the house. They’re not even showing their age, which is more than I can say for the “modern” Kohler I put in the kitchen a few years back. That one started feeling loose after maybe two years - definitely lighter than the stuff I remember from my parents’ place.

Moen’s been a solid middle ground for me too, especially when I redid the rental unit upstairs. Tenants seem to find new ways to break things, but those Moens just keep chugging along. Not fancy, but they don’t seem to mind hard water or the occasional overzealous scrub.

Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it’s worth hunting down salvage pieces from old houses instead of buying new. The weight and feel of those older fixtures… just different. Maybe I’m getting nostalgic, but they really don’t make ’em like they used to.

Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it’s worth hunting down salvage pieces from old houses instead of buying new. The weight and feel of those older fixtures… just different.

Totally get this. There’s something about the heft of those old brass handles that just feels right - like they’re meant to last decades, not just until the next remodel. I’ve actually sourced vintage faucets for a couple projects, and yeah, you have to deal with some quirks, but the quality’s hard to beat. Newer stuff looks good on paper, but it’s often lighter and just doesn’t have the same tactile vibe. Moen’s reliability is great for rentals, but for character? Salvage wins every time.

I hear you on the old hardware. I’ve pulled 70s Kohler and American Standard faucets out of houses that still worked fine - just needed new washers. The weight difference is real, especially with brass. But honestly, sometimes those salvage pieces are a pain to retrofit, especially if you’re dealing with modern plumbing codes or weird thread sizes. I’ve had clients fall in love with a vintage sink, only to find out it needs adapters or custom work to fit.

For toilets, Toto’s been solid for me - never had callbacks for leaks or flushing issues. For faucets, I’ll use Moen or Delta if someone wants new but reliable. They’re not as heavy as the old stuff, but at least parts are easy to find when something goes wrong. Still, nothing beats the feel of a real-deal vintage handle... just gotta be ready for some extra work getting it in place.

Honestly, I get the love for Toto and Moen - they’re solid, no doubt. But I’ve had a couple of Totos where the fill valve started acting up after just a few years. Maybe I got unlucky, but it’s made me a bit wary. For faucets, I actually lean toward Grohe or even some of the higher-end Pfister stuff. They’re not as common at the big box stores, but the build quality feels closer to the old-school brass gear. Retrofitting vintage is a pain, yeah, but sometimes it’s worth the hassle for something that’ll outlast the house. Just my two cents.

Retrofitting vintage is a pain, yeah, but sometimes it’s worth the hassle for something that’ll outlast the house.

I totally get wanting something that lasts, but I always wonder if the extra cost and effort really pays off in the long run. Have you found vintage parts to be more reliable, or do you end up spending more on repairs? I’ve stuck with newer models mostly because replacement parts are easier to find and usually cheaper.