Hi,
I just bought a Glacier Bay toilet with a 10 rating. However, in checking it's specifications, it says the passage way is only 1.5 wide compared to the other model of the same company. The other toilet passage way is 2 1/8 wide, but has a lower rating. Customers however gave this lesser rated toilet with very good reviews. I asked the person in home depot about it and he assured me the toilet with the 10 rating is better because of the way it flushes not the passage way. Both toilets he said are good but the 10 rated toilet is better and I would be saving $29.
Was he just trying to get rid of these toilets? He's just a worker at Home Depot and I doubt he has any stake in trying to sell the cheaper toilet.
Should I return the toilet?
I'm getting second thoughts. I would hate to return this toilet. I went through hell trying to load it into my car and take it up to my condo. However, I just cant stand to have a toilet that will clog.
Maybe I should have gone with american standard.
I just installed the same toilet yesterday in my cabin, and am pleased with the way it works. It isn't a Kohler, but it didn't cost $200 either. I have definitely learned to look at the flush rating. The one I installed in the other bathroom last year, due to my ignorance, only has a rating of 2.5 and it shows it, so it may get replaced next year.
Most manufacturers offer multiple models with different performance ratings. Considering that there are toilets with Maximum Performance (MaP) ratings of 800 - 1000, Glacier Bay ranks low on the list. You get what you pay for.
Home Depot's Glacier Bay toilets MaP ratings based on flushing criteria:
All-in-one RF 300
Aragon IV RF 175
Westminister EL ADA 250
If you care to review MaP ratings on all toilets, go to Southwest Environmental, Inc
Many toilets that pass the American Society of Engineers (ASME) tests that involved flushing plastic balls, granules, sponges and other items, do not pass the MaP tests.
MaP tests involve flushing plastic sleeves of soybean paste that really replicate human waste. 250 g is considered minimum, with the scale moving upward to 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, and 1,000 g. New Toilet Testing Transforms Performance - GreenSource Magazine
Chandler,
Are you sure it's the same Glacier Bay toilet? There were 2 kinds. The $128 and the $99. The $99 toilet had the higher rating, which I bought.
Twelvepole,
I believe the highest rating at home depot is 10.
Toilet ratings vary depending on whose rating scale was used and what and how much they flushed down the toilet when testing.
For instance, Home Builders Research Center's scale is 0.0 (Best) to 85.0 (Worst). Conflicting toilet test results still swirling about American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has their own scale.
Depending on whose test and how results are interpreted and whether 0.00 (Best) or 85.0 (Worst) is used or a scale of 1 (Worst) to 10 (Best), or what kind and how many grams of material was used for ratings conflict, will continue to swirl in the toilet.
Blue, it was the $128 unit. I bought it because it was all inclusive, wax seal, all bolts, lid, etc. All I had to buy was the supply line. I know 92 lbs is a pita to lift into a car or truck, but you may want to check out the other toilets. Also, the difference may have been the ADA height of mine. Was yours standard height or 17 1/2? If you are satisfied with standard height and it has a high flush rating, go for it.
I've never installed this type of toilet before with the gravity style flush but here's my problem.
The bowl itself does not hold water for more than several minutes at a time. Basically I have to flush the toilet before I use the toilet and then flush again when done usage. I tried a few different styles of floor seals to see if that was the problem but that doesn't seem to be the cause of the slow water loss.
Any thoughts or suggestions on what could be the problem. For all I know this is how this new toilet design is supposed to work but seems strange to me.
Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
Originally Posted by xcelfitpat
I've never installed this type of toilet before with the gravity style flush but here's my problem.
The bowl itself does not hold water for more than several minutes at a time. Basically I have to flush the toilet before I use the toilet and then flush again when done usage. I tried a few different styles of floor seals to see if that was the problem but that doesn't seem to be the cause of the slow water loss.
Any thoughts or suggestions on what could be the problem. For all I know this is how this new toilet design is supposed to work but seems strange to me.
Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
Model numbers with manufactures name or pictures would help out here.
All that is obvious is that is made by Glacier Bay and that it is one of the AOI, 1.28 toilets. Comfort height. Has simple handle and white plastic basket inside tank that empties the water. Don't know what other details to add. Someone on this post mentioned something about a manual flush if you didn't remove some rubber bands that were on some sort of inner flapper. I don't recall any such thing on this toilet but what did this poster mean?
Thanks.
Is the toilet sitting level? Not sure why a bowl would empty itself without help. There is a rubber band around the flapper for shipping purposes and it must be removed prior to use, but that would cause the tank to empty itself and it would be quite obvious. Bowl on the other hand, got me.
There could actually be a bad casting inside the toilet or a small crack causing the water to leak out. If this happens every time, that is what I would be thinking. If it happens only occasionally, then you could have a venting issue.
There are 2 kinds of Glacier bay toilets selling at home depot right now. One is $128 Glacier Bay 1.28 GPF HET AIO Elongated toilet White Model 331-725.
The other kind for $99 sucks! I bought two. It has a bucket that dumps water inside the tank. Just by looking at it seems a little odd. Well needless to say one of them malfunctioned on me. The other one has a very weak flush. I noticed when I went back to HOme depot it was selling for $88 now. It's no wonder. Fortunately I can take the toilet back. Unfortunately I dont have the muscle power to reload both toilets so I'm going to take back only one. I can barely fit the one toilet into my economy car.
I'm annoyed.
I would not recommend the $88 Glacier Bay toilet!!
Originally Posted by plumbingods
There could actually be a bad casting inside the toilet or a small crack causing the water to leak out. If this happens every time, that is what I would be thinking. If it happens only occasionally, then you could have a venting issue.
Correct! After replacing 3 wax seals on a brand new toilet I still had water draining at the base. Turns out the casting has a small hole in it in front of where the wax seals. Cheap toilets sucks! Do you think silicone will make a descent permanent seal in this 1/8 hole? Bringing it back will be a huge pain.
do what ever you want as far as trying to seal a hole but i would take it back personally. why let them get away with selling a defective toilet?
before buying i would check this site for how it compares to other toilets as far as the flushing capabilities http://www.allianceforwaterefficienc...d_02-16-09.pdf
oh and a restricted/clogged drain line can wick/siphon the water out of a bowl. very seldom have i found a vent to be the problem even though it gets blamed more than anything else in the plumbing system. usually if the vent is clogged it is a symptom of the drain line backing up and leaving debris in it or ice forming over the top.
I recently bought my first home and the previous owner was a penny pincher. He installed a new glacier bay one piece toilet (that is no longer available) the first time I used it I new I was in trouble. Instead of the water flushing around the bowl and cleaning everything, it shot out from the front leaving stuff on the sides. I flushed over and over and nothing ever changed. The stuff remained on the sides. I pulled it and installed a kohler and have been happy every since. 2 thumbs down to budget equipment.
Good lesson learned here. You get what you pay for in most cases.
Dose Home Depot sell any well made toilets ? I am just finishing my master bath and need to buy one.
Thanks, Buzz
not in my opinion or that of a great many service plumbers
Glacier Bay 1.28 gpf, model 331-725, elongated. We've had it and an identical unit for over a year. Problem is with periodic(every 5 minutes) water flow to refill tank. No leakage into bowl. Water level stable for about 4 minutes then slowly lowers during next minute(approx. 1/4 ), then refills. Another blog hinted at a problem with the toilet drain that may be wicking out water.
Has anyone experienced this problem with their Glacier Bay and found the fix?
Other than the poorly designed seats, both our toilets have been working o.k.
I recently purchased a remodeled home and it has two glacier bay 1.28 gpf low usage toilets. The model with the plastic bowl in the tank and the terrible seat. Both have worked fine until recently. One now will not hold water in the bowl. I've tried dumping a high flow of water through and flusing more than once but the water always leaks out. I thought it may be a venting issue, but I'm pretty sure the toilets share the same vent so it can't be that. No water is leaking onto the floor. Anybody ever find a way to fix this problem short of replacement??
can you explain further exactly where the tank is leaking or provide us with a picture?
I love mysteries like this.
You mean to tell us that if the water is in the bowl, to presumably the normal height, the water level goes down by itself? (Presumably without any wind/venting issues), and yet does not wind up on the floor (or below the floor?). How far does the water level in the bowl drop? What is below the floor (slab, basement or crawlspace? - sure it is not leaking below?)
Can't imagine how a crack in the trap of the toilet could let water out of the trap and not externally leak out - unless - the toilet were caulked around the base, and the floor to flange perimeter gap was waxed or caulked shut AND the wax seal was bad, all at the same time, allowing the water from say a crack in the trap to externally leak under the toilet and then make it's way into the floor drain, thru a gap in the wax seal.
Are you sure you do not have an obstruction? - and after a flush, the water level is too high? - and then simply slowly weeps back down, so that the level in the bowl finally drops to the height it is supposed to be at?
The toilet acts like its plugged - the water level goes pretty high but then slowly drains out. Below the level where it should be. The water level gets so low that it barely fills the very bottom of the hole where the waste disappears.
No water leaks out the bottom and the house is a slab. Built in '54 in Phoenix. The bathroom has been remodeled. It looked like there was caulk around the wax ring, but upon closer inspection it looks like the toilet is sitting on a thin layer of grout. The floor is tile.
If there is a leak could the grout and wax ring be forcing any water to hang around around the bottom side of the toilet until it slowly drains? Next step is going to be a wire hanger to see if there is partial obstruction. Then the real tool for clearing plugged pipes. Then I'm going to take the damn thing completely off.
I'm sure its not a venting issue as the other toilet in the house uses the same vent and its working fine.
Thanks for any help...
Originally Posted by phxcyclone
The toilet acts like its plugged - the water level goes pretty high but then slowly drains out. Below the level where it should be. The water level gets so low that it barely fills the very bottom of the hole where the waste disappears.
Ohhhh. That's normal.....when a toilet loses proper syphon action due to a clog.
Have you tried to violently plunge? Or even quickly dumping 5 gallon pails of water down the bowl?
When you flush, is there a real quick sudden discharge of the water out of the tank, as there should be with low gallon flush toilets? Also, is the water level in the tank up to the marked water line (or within 1/2 -1 inch of the top of the overflow?). Is the flapper staying open enough to allow the right amount of water out of the tank into the bowl? Will holding open the flapper by hand for longer, make the flush better? (Careful you do not overflow onto the floor!!!). Did you have clorine tablets or anything in the toilet tank, that went down the flapper hole? Do you have young kids? Tampons are to never be disposed of down toilets, as the strings can hang up not just in the toilet's built-in trap, but even dangle below, upsetting the syphon flush(had that already!).
Procedures if necessary: Drain out the water in the bowl and sponge out the rest. Any object that floats has a better chance of dropping back into the bowl. Inspect with mechanics mirror and flashlight up in the toilet hole that leads to the trap. If you see nothing, then toilet auger(snake) the bowl. I doubt you'd have lime blocking rim and jet holes, this soon. Trial test flush using wet wads of TP. If the TP does not go down, likely something in the toilet. Then it be time to pull the toilet, perhaps take it outside on the lawn (and draw a neighborhood crowd the way I recently did. ), and toilet auger from both directions. If you take the toilet outside to work on it right side up and upside down, take off the seat first! They can suddenly flop down and crack the toilet tank. (Take it from me. )
Trial flush up on blocks of wood outside or on a 5 gallon pail. Do not reinstall that toilet till you fill the tank and trial flush using 2 or 3 wet wads of tp that will go down. Do that test at least 3 times back to back to back.
Well we installed the 1.28 in our cabin last weekend to replace an older model Kohler. I was quite skeptical at the store while talking to the mgr. about this toilet. We wanted something that would flush more quickly and use less water. I have to be honest if this toilet continues to function like it did after installation it was the best deal I have ever made. We kept and installed our seat because the one that comes with the 1.28 is pretty cheesy, but for the cost we are really happy with this purchase. Lifetime warranty how can you go wrong? It was a breeze to install as well.
Thanks HD Jim
We have bought and installed 2 of these units - due to 1) their 10 efficiency rating; 2) the flapperless design in the water tank; and 3) the price paid. $49 each. Yes, brand new at Home Depot for that price!
Installation is no more difficult or easier than any other toilet. We rated the item extremely high w/ Home Depot after the first purchase/installation.
However ... more now needs to be said. The 2nd unit, while looking exactly like the first, had the flushing water tank reversed, so the water emptied towards the rear of the tank rather than the front. And that makes it not as efficient at flushing. We regularly have to flush it twice, even 3 times. Knocks the hell out of its 10 rating, forshur. This morning, the plastic flush handle broke - this after about 5 months of use (by a family of 2 adults) - and we need to find if Home Depot can offer a fix.
Further about Glacier Bay. Number 2 tends to adhere to the porcelain(?) coating of the bowl, often making multiple flushes necessary (in addition to the above issue). And the Glacier Bay padded toilet seat, purchased as an option for the 2nd unit, broke free of its screw mounts shortly after instllation, which H.D. kindly agreed to replace (contrary to their stated policy of no return on seats); then the replacement broke apart too. Do NOT invest in a padded GB seat!
If u find a GB toilet w/a a forward emptying water reservoir, consider it (especially if u can get one at the price we paid). But we really do question the mertis of 10 rating assigned to it by H.D.
I just purchased and installed this Glacer bay toilet and am very dissappointed in it. The bowl will not hold water. it fills up to a point then drains back out. I will return it tomorrow. The shape of the inside of this bowl needs plenty water or several flushes will not clean it. To much area to soil that does not have water for cleaning or catching solids. It is to long for a childs use. And probably and adults also. would not advise the purchase of this toilet...
Beeta, welcome to the forums! While it is best to start your own thread, no harm done. Mods may move our comments to a new one.
Take the GB toilet back. Look, you only make this purchase once or twice in a lifetime, so you need to go big or stay on the porch. American Standard Champion 4 will cost a little more, but you won't have the flushing problem, nor a clog problem. I think once you look at the flush ratings of the different toilets, you will see the GB toilet is low man, probably 3 or 4 out of 10.
I think this thread has run it's course and is now closed.
Tags: glacier, toilets, this toilet, toilet before, hold water, more than, thoughts suggestions, venting issue, water bowl, water level, water level, water tank
