Ted T
New Member
To start, I'd like to thank Terry and all of the contributors here - this site is where I've learned the majority of my (limited) plumbing skills over the years.
Here's my problem: I just replaced two Sterling toilets with Toto Ultramaxs. While I like the look, and the fit is perfect, I'm unimpressed with noise level when the tanks refill. Three sound effects specifically are bugging me:
1) The tank seems have an echo-chamber effect that amplifies the noise of the water as it refills. Will removing the velcro strips let the lid close tightly enough to contain some of the noise? Maybe add a thin gasket (I'm thinking a paint-on rubber gasket) between the top of the tank and the lid?
2) When the flapper closes, it slams...loudly. The thunk is loud enough that I hesitate to flush during the night as I'm afraid it will wake someone. Is there any fix for this? I'm assuming it's working correctly, as both toilets make the exact same sound - is there a replacement that will close more quietly?
3) At the end of the fill, after the flapper closes, there's a dripping noise under the toilet under the toilet as the bowl overfill empties. I can eliminate the noise by lowering the water level, but to get to that point the water is at least 1" below the top of the overflow pipe. The stenciling inside the tank, right next to the overflow pipe, says the water level should be 1/2" below the top of the pipe. Does lowering it that far have any detrimental effect on the flushing performance? (I haven't had them long enough for meaningful field testing.)
Additional info: Both toilets are ridiculously level front-back and side-side (within .5 deg), and there is no evidence of any leaking, internally or externally.
Hopefully some of you have some helpful suggestions - at the moment, I'm seriously considering returning them and buying (don't hate me for this) AS Champion 4s. I have one in my guest bathroom that I installed two years ago and it's been awesome - it flushes more authoritatively (same gpf) than the Totos, refill is much quieter, and no dripping sounds. No clogs either - the Sterlings clogged constantly, which is why I replace them.
Here's my problem: I just replaced two Sterling toilets with Toto Ultramaxs. While I like the look, and the fit is perfect, I'm unimpressed with noise level when the tanks refill. Three sound effects specifically are bugging me:
1) The tank seems have an echo-chamber effect that amplifies the noise of the water as it refills. Will removing the velcro strips let the lid close tightly enough to contain some of the noise? Maybe add a thin gasket (I'm thinking a paint-on rubber gasket) between the top of the tank and the lid?
2) When the flapper closes, it slams...loudly. The thunk is loud enough that I hesitate to flush during the night as I'm afraid it will wake someone. Is there any fix for this? I'm assuming it's working correctly, as both toilets make the exact same sound - is there a replacement that will close more quietly?
3) At the end of the fill, after the flapper closes, there's a dripping noise under the toilet under the toilet as the bowl overfill empties. I can eliminate the noise by lowering the water level, but to get to that point the water is at least 1" below the top of the overflow pipe. The stenciling inside the tank, right next to the overflow pipe, says the water level should be 1/2" below the top of the pipe. Does lowering it that far have any detrimental effect on the flushing performance? (I haven't had them long enough for meaningful field testing.)
Additional info: Both toilets are ridiculously level front-back and side-side (within .5 deg), and there is no evidence of any leaking, internally or externally.
Hopefully some of you have some helpful suggestions - at the moment, I'm seriously considering returning them and buying (don't hate me for this) AS Champion 4s. I have one in my guest bathroom that I installed two years ago and it's been awesome - it flushes more authoritatively (same gpf) than the Totos, refill is much quieter, and no dripping sounds. No clogs either - the Sterlings clogged constantly, which is why I replace them.