TOTO Toilet replacement - first timer :) - need help

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Kitui

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Hello,
We have to replace 2 toilets:
1) PR (powder room) used by guests or while we are in the kitchen/living room, typically for "quick jobs". This toilet has never clogged but it is broken and needs replacement.
2) KB (kids bath) - I have a Kohler Santa Rosa which needs to be "cleared" every other week. My teenager is a specialist of clogging that toilet. We want to replace it with something with a more effective flush.
We were thinking about 2 Drakes II or 1 Vespin II (KB) and Drake II (PR). However I think that I can go with something less expensive downstairs (PR). Suggestions? Is there a good toilet for less money for "#1" jobs? Do I really need CEFIONTECT?
Another question is, the PR is very small and we used to have a lot of space between the tank and the wall. I am debating if I can go for a 14" rough but I cannot find any template that would really help us. The spec sheet does not really tell the story to a newbie. I can measure from the bolt to the tile is 12.5", from the wall 13" (I have only tiles running at 6" high border). Is there any toilet that would have some sort of installation flexibility which will reduce the space between wall and tank? Thanks for helping
 

Terry

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The Drake II and the Vespin II have about 1/2" behind the tank on a standard 12" rough. Measured from the center of the drain to the wall.

TOTO also has the Entrada with an entry level price of $219.99 for elongated.
Those work very well too.

The CEFIONTECT is niced, but not a must.
In the Seattle area
 

Kitui

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Kitui

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The Drake II and the Vespin II have about 1/2" behind the tank on a standard 12" rough. Measured from the center of the drain to the wall.

TOTO also has the Entrada with an entry level price of $219.99 for elongated.
Those work very well too.

The CEFIONTECT is niced, but not a must.
In the Seattle area
Thanks Terry. I will look into. Does the price include the seat?
 

WJcandee

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Does the price include the seat?

Nope. We like the Toto SS114, but the toilet will accept most standard seats, so you really have a wide choice of price and features. We have some nice Mayfair/Bemis slow-close seats on some of ours, and the SS114 on some others.

By the way, Terry is dead-on about the Entrada. It's a heck of a toilet for the price.
 

Jadnashua

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In general, most one-piece Totos come with a seat, the 2-piece ones generally do not.
 

Gary Swart

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Regarding the space between the tank and wall, you should realize that no toilets are designed to fit tight against the wall. This space will vary by make and model. The measurement you provide indicate a 12" rough in. Again, some 12" rough in toilets will leave a wide space, other less, but none require more than 12".
 

Wallijonn

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the PR is very small and we used to have a lot of space between the tank and the wall. I am debating if I can go for a 14" rough but I cannot find any template that would really help us. ... from the bolt to the tile is 12.5", from the wall 13" Is there any toilet that would have some sort of installation flexibility which will reduce the space between wall and tank? Thanks for helping

You can only settle for a 12" rough in and cheat the bolts on the flange a little, probably no more than 1/4. When looking at the spec sheet diagrams find one that has the least amount of space between it and the wall. The Drake is not it, for example, since it typically has about 1+1/8" of space between the tank and the wall. https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst744eg-specs.pdf

The Entrada is 3/4": https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst244ef_spec.pdf

The Drake II, because of it's oval shaped tank will have varying space between it and the wall. What you want is a tank that is flat at the back. It is 13/16" at its closest point: https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst474cefg-specs.pdf

The Vespin shows 3/4": https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst474cefg-specs.pdf

You will also want to consider the water spot size, the bigger the better.

Some A.S. or Kohler toilets may fit closer to the wall, but you will have to also consider looks, water spot size, and parts availability.

To cheat the size, you'd install two bolts upside down into the bottom of the bowl and position them as far to the inside as possible. You would then measure as accurately as possible the distance between the bolt centers. You'd then install the flange bolts, lightly tighten them down and measure from the top of the bolt threads and adjust the width to match the first measurement, then install the wax seal and sit the toilet onto the flange bolts. Figure no more than about 1/4", which would mean that if the Toto toilet has a 3/4" space between it and the wall that it would now be about 1/2" away from the wall. Which is a good thing, I guess, since if the tank sweats then the moisture may be transferred to the wall. idkfs.
 
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Kitui

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You can only settle for a 12" rough in and cheat the bolts on the flange a little, probably no more than 1/4. When looking at the spec sheet diagrams find one that has the least amount of space between it and the wall. The Drake is not it, for example, since it typically has about 1+1/8" of space between the tank and the wall. https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst744eg-specs.pdf

The Entrada is 3/4": https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst244ef_spec.pdf

The Drake II, because of it's oval shaped tank will have varying space between it and the wall. What you want is a tank that is flat at the back. It is 13/16" at its closest point: https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst474cefg-specs.pdf

The Vespin shows 3/4": https://terrylove.com/pdf/cst474cefg-specs.pdf
You will also want to consider the water spot size, the bigger the better.

Some A.S. or Kohler toilets may fit closer to the wall, but you will have to also consider looks, water spot size, and parts availability.

To cheat the size, you'd install two bolts upside down into the bottom of the bowl and position them as far to the inside as possible. You would then measure as accurately as possible the distance between the bolt centers. You'd then install the flange bolts, lightly tighten them down and measure from the top of the bolt threads and adjust the width to match the first measurement, then install the wax seal and sit the toilet onto the flange bolts. Figure no more than about 1/4", which would mean that if the Toto toilet has a 3/4" space between it and the wall that it would now be about 1/2" away from the wall. Which is a good thing, I guess, since if the tank sweats then the moisture may be transferred to the wall. idkfs.
So it looks like with the Drake 2 and its tank I should be ok, right? I wanted the Toto because it sounds like it is better for "clogging families" :). Thanks to all of you!!!
 
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Kitui

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So it looks like with the Drake 2 and its tank I should be ok, right? I wanted the Toto because it sounds like it is better for "clogging families" :). Thanks to all of you!!!
I want to report that we installed the Drake and we love it. No more clogs :). We are planning to replace the toilette upstairs too with the same model ! Thanks again for the great advice!
 

WJcandee

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I absolutely love reading posts like this! It makes taking the time to help even more worthwhile.

Thanks for the follow-up.
 
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