HELP! Need Wall-Mount Toilet Replacement Advice
First time poster here!
I purchased a 1964 bi-level home (that was still stuck in hippy 1964, green shag & all but high quality construction materials). Most of the '60's decor is gone (except for the still functioning, quirky, center front door knob) and now I'm ready to begin remodeling/gutting two bathrooms.
Both upstairs baths have the original, wall-mounted, American Standard toilets and are located over finished basement. Technically, both toilets 'function' but I just can't get the bowls clean and my 17 yo son clogs them very regularly (my lecture for 'more fiber' falls on deaf ears!).
I spoke with my local Lowe's rep and he says that I can go back with Am. Standard but their rep's response to problems is about non-existent. He says the Kohler rep is great though plus their products are 'made in America'. The product he recommended was a Kohler tankless unit but said I'd need to replace with a 1" water line which I really don't want to do since I'd have to tear out about 30' of the downstairs ceiling to access the second bath (upstairs is all original hardwood flooring). Also, the well pump is showing 40 PSI and he said the toilets would need 60 PSI. So, to me, it just makes more sense to go back to toilets with tanks.
I'm in desperate need of your expert advice and opinions in non-technical terms please! However, there are a few issues that might reduce my selection (be it Kohler or another brand). First, I'm on well water with 3/8" (I think) copper pipes going between the floors and the water supply feeds straight uphill to the space between the floors. Second, the waste pipe to the septic system (no sewer) is old cast iron. Of the two toilets, one has a wall behind it that can be opened; however, the second has a window above. Lastly, the dishwasher, kitchen sink and washing machine do not feed into the septic so there's little water, except for the bath sinks and shower to push 'things' along. A no-no, yes, but the Health Department let it be grandfathered (and I'm careful not to harm the ground water environment).
I've read a lot on this site but much is still Greek to me. Basically, I want to replace with new wall-mount units that are quiet, aren't $1K+ in cost, and will handle my son's 'lack of fiber'.
I'll also have to find a plumber to install since the company I've been using says they 'don't do commercial' and consider wall-mount toilets to be 'commercial'. Looks like they'll be losing a customer!
All opinions and recommendations are welcomed and appreciated!
Karen