Aquia (and in general 1.6 gal) questions
I'm thinking of replacing my 3.5 gallon American Standard (probably from around 1977 when I believe the house was built).
My reasons for considering an Aquia are:
1) Dual flush sounds so environmentally correct as well as money saving since you only use .9 gallons for liquid only flushes.
2) I like the skirts on the toilet.
a) Newer toilets show the "bowels" of the toilet which I don't care to see.
b) Because of the smooth shape, I"m more likely to see anything that needs cleaning sooner than on the old fashon bowel shape followed by a steep angle to the base.
3) I like the fact that even though the Aquia isn't ADA, it is higher than the standard 14.5".
4) It seems not too expensive -- Under $300.00.
5) It is a Toto, and so many websites list Toto as the brand that many plumbers prefer for their own homes.
I am new to the 1.6 gallon toilet world. There aren't many Toto distributers in my area, and the ones I have checked out don't know much about the Aquia. They want to sell Toto's, but one comment is that if the Aquia is new it is probably going to have problems early on -- as did the
Champion. Anyway, here are some of my concerns. [Please understand that they may sound like dumb questions, but I've never had to deal with the possibility of buying a 1.6 gallon toilet.]
-----------------------
1) Is it the nature of the beast that you have skid marks with 1.6 toilets?
Is it especially true for the Aquia given that they have a small water area?
2) Are 1.6 gallon toilets a bad way to go if you have people in your household that have large stools. Or would it be an extra problem with something that has a dual flush mechanism even if you choose the 1.6 button to flush?
3) Is it a problem to flush 1.6 toilets if you use a lot of toilet paper, or the toilet paper you use is rather thick? Or what about people who flush napkins, paper towels, sanitary napkins, dirty mop water, etc, does that present a real problem? (NOTE: I've lived in this house for 20 years and only called the plumber once because it turned out that the calcium along the rim had affected it some. I have never needed a snake or anything on my sewer line.)
4) Do you have to use a plunger more often?
5) If you use a strong toilet chemical declogger (which I assume contains strong acids), will it cause the plastic device that connects the toilet to the hole in the floor to weaken and eventually crack/leak/break/etc?
---------------
I called the tech support line at TotoUSA about Aquia concerns. He wasn't very positive about the Aquia. He mentioned a few things that bother me:
1) Dual Flush technology is below the performance of both G-Max & Power Gravity.
2) The Aquias don't have the "CEFIONTECT" finish, so they won't do as well at keeping away skid marks.
3) The water level is very low so more likely to miss and have skid marks that are exposed to the air -- not water.
4) The technology for the flush going straight down isn't as powerful, so it is better to go with the new "Cyclone" Toto flushing system. (Nothing against that, but the cost for such a system I was told is closer to $800.00.)
After hearing their tech, I even have more doubts about the Aquia or for that matter 1.6 toilets. What good is saving water on the flush if you end up flushing multiple times, cleaning it more often, putting up with smells. Lately, we've had a bit of problem with my 3.5 not flushing consistantly. However, I fear I"m in for a rude awakening. Thus, I'm getting fearful about parting with my 3.5 gallon toilet.
Can anyone enlightenme on 1.6 and specifically with the Aquia?
Thanks