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We had these in our last home. They are amazing--what gets flushed stays flushed. No clogging. Ever.

Best. Toilet. Ever. Got the Toto Drake to replace an old toilet in an old house. Never clogs. Takes seconds to refill. It even gets comments from guests.

I am going to have nightmares about "the wand." The last thing I need in my life is my toilet poking at me from behind while I go about my business.

We just installed two Toto Ultramax toilets. They are the greatest - it's no wonder the flushing performance is "legendary". Shop around to plumbing supply houses for the best price - we got ours for at least $50 below the lowest price we found online.

Gee, and we thought the developer cheaped out on *everything* in our new place! We've got two gleaming new Totos (the wandless models, thankfully!). Now I'll have to point them out for special attention when giving tours of our new abode.

Okay, I want to know... has anyone tried the wand?

We retrofitted a wand onto our non-toto toilet. We didn't buy a Toto wand though, we bought a Cleanlett. It's awesome, and the guests definitely comment on it.

- Heated set
- Wand bidet thing for the ladies and gents
- Air dry
- The fun of having a toilet that looks like you can command the deathstar from it

What's not to love?

I'm not impressed with Toto at all. Two years ago I purchased two Vespin models and had them professionally installed. Exactly a year and a half later--just past the warranty--the flappers (that rubber stopper thing in the back of the toilet that connects to a chain) in both toilets broke in the same spot (where it connects to the chain) within hours of each other. If I had not been able to rig a solution on one of the toilets, we would have been toilet-less.

The slightly stoned-sounding young man at customer service shipped two new flappers. He didn't even ask about the warranty. Turns out I was lucky to get him. I emailed customer service about this glaring design flaw--under no circumstances should this happen to practically new toilets--and got a snotty note back from some PR person that told me how lucky I was to get service past the warranty.

Anyway, I will be avoiding Toto from now on. I'm stuck with two very flawed toilets with parts that can snap at any moment without warning. And I will have to purchase replacement flappers every year or so because the company doesn't stand behind their products.

My advice: stay away from Toto.

mary kay commando. Re: your rubber stopper problem. Perhaps you use drop-in toilet cleaning tablets in the tank? The literature recommends against using the self-cleaning or bleaching tablets specifically for that reason. I had that same problem with my Toto. When my plumber replaced the flapper, he indicated that the Clorox bleach tab was the likely cause. (He even told me that Toto's were generally the most reliable toilets he's dealt with.) I've since stopped using the tablets and the problem has yet to recur.

I think Toto's are a great deal price-wise, have a strong flush for a low-flow unit, and are attractively compact. (Can't comment on the wand attachment as mine was not equipped with one.)

I love my Toto. We have very low water pressure and the Toto fills up really quickly. Eco and nice looking.

Hi Enrique- Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, I don't use any cleaning tablets. We're a pretty simple household. No kids, not many visitors, just two adults. I think it's really just bad design. The hook that attaches to the flapper is metal and it eventually wears through the soft rubber material.

mary kay, unfortunately the metal hook and rubber flapper design is ubiquitous so you are going to find that in nearly all toilets except the sealed compressed air ones. I was surprised to see such a cheap looking rubber flapper in a Duravit Starck 2 toilet I bought once. I don't know what I was expecting but it looked very cheap.

It sucks that it broke for you in only 18 months and that CS was bad but the good news is that they are cheap and easily found in hardware stores. At least they should be unless Toto has done a custom shape.

We have two Toto Drakes and think they are great EXCEPT we also had the problem with both flappers breaking at the same time as described above and got no response from Toto. No toilet tank cleaners here either.

I know toilet flapper design is ubiquitous and that generic toilet parts are inexpensive. For me, that isn't the point. After 15 years of home ownership and home toilet repair, I've never had to replace a flapper in any toilet no matter how cheap it was. That sort of premature mechanical failure in a brand touted as one of the best is unacceptable.

alfromcal: Did you try calling Toto or did you email? I got a response by calling.

I just bought a Toto CT705 with a commercial flushometer. As it will be used residentially, it will have a proper seat lid, of course, not the commercial seat as show in the link.

http://www.totousa.com/Productpopup.asp?pid=853

Toto was repeatedly recommended to me by my plumber, my general contractor, and sales people who could have pushed more expensive makes/models on me.

I've never owned a Toto, so I'll have to see.

Hey MKC, my apologies. I did not mean to diminish your point and tried to acknowledge it with my "sucks" sentence but that obviously did not convey my empathy with your situation and point. I was just trying to move on from there (after having ackowledged it - or tried to) and look for something positive.

Like I said, I also expected more from a premium brand (did I expect Phillipe Starck to design the flapper too? I'm not sure on that one) so again, I was trying to empathize.

However, you did say that it was a bad design and followed that up with describing how the hook that attaches to the flapper is metal and it eventually wears through the soft rubber material. With nothing else to go on about what you thought about the design I wanted to address the issue that this was universally bad design. If you knew that already then good. Maybe someone else reading this did not.

BTW, I had to call duravit about missing hardware to attach the toilet seat to the toilet which really was custom and not something I could easily buy. Fortunately they had very good customer service (so I can recommend them) and sent me the parts in the mail no other questions asked. Had they not done so then I would not have been able to fall back on to the local hardware store.

jamie pup: No offense taken! Everyone has different experiences with different products. A couple of days ago my 6-year-old water heater died just a year past its warranty. The plumber said on the inside it looked like it was 15 years old. So maybe I just have bad luck!

Frequently broken flapper attachments are sometimes the result of connecting the chain so short that operating the flush lever pulls the chain tight after lifting the flapper. This puts added strain on the connection. You should try to have chain length so that when the lever is pushed to its extreme, the flapper raises just enough for flushing.

I have two toto toilets that work great. Flappers deteriorate sitting in the tank in any toilet and its just something I've figured I'm going to have to change every once in a while.

I have a Toto toilet and my flapper is falling apart after only two years. The worst part is that the flappers are a custom design that cannot be replaced by standard flappers so I have to custom order it.

I have a residential Toto- a mid-priced one. it worked fabulously for 2 years, and now I have to flush two times to get a decent flush at all. the first flush drains all the water out, then the bowl fills properly, then a proper flush occurs, and the water drains out again. it' not good. any clues on what's wrong? i also had a flapper probelm, BTW... but I fixed it.

Thanks - any advice appreciated

In 1995 we built a new home with five bathrooms that housed a very popular brand of toilet. Within 2 years we replaced each of these with a ToTo, what a difference!!! We have never replaced anything on either of these toilets. Three years ago we purchased a beach home in S.C. and the first thing I did was to replace the 3 toilets with ToTo's, still no problems. My sister has liked ours so much that she has had us bring her 2 toilets from S.C.to her home in N.C. since she could not purchase them locally. I cannot recommend anything for the bathroom as important as a ToTo toilet. Thanks for your research and quality. Jan

My Toto Carlyle tolet with a GMAX valve won't shut-off and keeps running water. The valve is not like one I am used to and I can't seem to find information on it. Where is information on this? My alternative is to tear it a part and see whats inside.

We live in a humid climate. Our Toto toilets are working just fine. But we have such warm water that mold develops on the tank hose. The flapper also gets a black mold on it. We leave for long periods os time so I'm wondering if a couple of scoops of bleach might help (or hurt during our absence) What can we do to keep out tank the healthiest

mary kay commando........ u say u lost 2 flappers and replaced a hot water heater after 7 years and your plumber says the inside looks to be 15 years old

have you ever had your water tested?

do u have any sulphur smells in your water or black residue in your toilet tanks?

i have other ideas / questions but leats start there

I am so happy I found this website - as I have been shopping for a toto toilet. Everything I have read makes the toto toilets sound indestructable. My husband has been disagreeable in my shopping for a $300 plus toilet. Now I am having second thoughts about toto. Thank you all for being so upfront.
Screech

I have 4 ToTo toilets and I have had them for four years. One has the same problem as Jack. The toilet won't shut off and it has the GMax valve. I couldn't find any information on it. There is no repair or service section at the ToTo website and couldn't find anything online either.
Anybody have any experience or suggestions?

To Jack and Bob. We had the same problem with our G-Max valve. We contacted techsupport@totousa and we received a prompt reply along with an attachment with the G-Max fill valve instructions. After reading it we were able to fix the problem. Good luck.
Wendy

Another good source of anecdotal information on Totos, from owners and installers, is at GardenWeb's Bathroom forum. Many many folks have posted their experiences with Totos, good and bad. I think just about every model and design has been mentioned!

FWIW, I have a new Toto Drake, with ADA height and elongated seat. I'm happy with it except for the noise of flushing. It is very easy to clean however and I think it looks terrific. It's also very comfortable.

I have new Toto toilets and have been pleasantly surprised at how clean the bowls have stayed. I do have to clean them now -- but I'm afraid to scratch the sanagloss with a traditional bowl brush. Does Toto suggest using something else, or are the bowl brushes okay?

We just bought a new drake. After unwrapping it, there is a large chip out of the back tank that has been glazed over. And the packaging is very poor making it easy to scratch up just sitting in the box. Will not be taking it back but if possible Id unwrap them at the warehouse and inspect them before lugging them home.

Jack and Bob: I can empathize with both of you...Same problem with one of my four Carlisle(?)toilets. It overflows about once every two to three months and corrects itself after I leave it off for several days (so glad I have four for my wife, me, and visitors). But Jack, I hope you saw Wendy's comment before you took such drastic action . Finally, WENDY: "Bless your Heart!!!" Followed your suggestion and just this minute sent an E-mail to "techsupport@totousa" requesting the written instructions. Can't wait to get my response! Maybe Toto will also respond by furnishing these instructions ONLINE for diehards like Jack, Bob, and me who refuse to personally write or contact a company except as a last resort. (and this is the last resort!!!) Thank you Mam...

Jack, Bob, Wendy and others with GMAX flush valves - I bought two Toto Carlyles about 3.5 years ago and had the same problems. The first time I contacted customer service they sent me instructions to take apart and clean the flush valve. That didn't work. The second time I contacted them they sent me replacement caps to the flush valve (not the blue covers but little round black caps inside once you take the cover off). The problem is that the rubber seal inside the caps will sometimes warp/fail causing continuous leakage. Replacing those did the trick.

Now 3 years after replacing the caps I am having the same problems all over again. However, this time it isn't just the caps. THis time the problem is with the plastic piece that sits over the cap and plugs it once water rises up. If you look at the end of the arm that sits over the cap you will notice a small rubber padded area that sits over the the small hole at the top of the cap. When water rises to fill line, this plactic piece swings and the part of the arm with the rubber padded area swings down to cover this small hole. Over time an indentation forms in this padded area. Once you replace the cap, this indentation does not EXACTLY match the position of the hole in the new cap, so I had to replace that part as well. Unfortunately they do not sell that piece by itself so I ended up buying a complete new fill valve assembly and using the pieces from that to fix my toilet.

Hi guys,
Hey I have 4 of these toto bad boys and one constantly runs. Any suggestions?

I have 1 ToTo (Drake) toilet I bought about 7 years ago. I have been through 1 flapper valve, 5 water valve seals, and about to replace my 3rd handle/linkage. The first handle broke internally and the handle fell off the linkage--plastic. The second is metal, but the piece that mounts through the tank is plastic and the ring that tightens it is good old plastic--not designed to last. Anybody else had problems with handles? Not a very good design.

I need help with a 5 year old Toto toilet-I have 5 in a home that was built new 5 years ago-I am selling the house-one of the toilets seems to have water run or rush for a few seconds every once in a while or when my sprinklers turn on or off-I have tried adjusting it but still does this any info will help. electros@aol.com

I have had the same problem as Mary Kay Commando

I have a toto Drake. The flapper broke and the filler valve is broken, all a yaer and a half after installation.

I have a ADA Drake that sometimes fills the bowl properly and sometimes stops short of full. Anybody have this problem?

Bought 4 Totos and have had problems with 3, only because the 4th is in a barely used guest room. With two, I have the same problem as Jong (09/13/06), the small rubber stopper has worn and is no longer plugging the small hole where the water comes in. I consider this a poor design and the wear on the rubber part should have been anticipated. On the third unit the plastic seat bolts allow the seat to flex too much. One of the bolts ended up falling down the back of the toilet and was a royal pain to get out (no access to hollow cavity). Doubt if I'd purchase Toto again unless they change the materials used. Martin.

Can I ask why did all of you buy TOTO as opposed to Kohler, Porcher or American Standard in the first place?

Does anyone have the full email address for Toto tech support. I just replaced the G-MAX valve and it starts running every now and then..

Thanks

Regarding Jong's comment on 09/13/06, I think you can remove and reverse the rubber pad so it no longer has an indentation. Take a small, thin, knife and carefully pry the rubber pad out. Flip it upside down and now you have a new surface to cover the fill hole. Unfortunately, this didn't fix my problem as it looks like I have to get one of the rubber diaphrams and/or caps to stop the flow. The toilet's 4-5 years old so I'm not that bent out of shape about it. The Koehler's we had before just didn't flush well enough and the Totos have been reliable up to now

Help with Toto diagnosis: Can anyone tell me what problem is causing the small but increasing-in-volume whine from my Toto? I don't know the model as I didn't install it; it's a 2 piece and doesn't have the sleek base the more expensive models have. The part emitting the noise is black with a blue top (is this the valve?) and it says "Power Gravity" on top. It would help if I could tell the plumber before he came what the faulty part is (so he can bring it with him, in an ideal world!). There is no performance issue (so far!) with the toilet.
Thanks,
Kate

I HAVE HAD A TOTO IN MY HOUSE FOR AROUND 7 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS AND WILL INSTALL NO OTHER BRAND - ALSO PURCHASED 3 HANDICAPED TOTO'S FOR OUR SENIOR CENTER IN TOWN LAST YEAR REPLACING KOHLER

Just installed the Toto MS874114S(G) - love the toilet and pretty easy to install - but, it is sitting on a tile floor. I tightened the two back upright bolts and they are pretty secure, but I notice that the front of the toilet has some lateral movement. What should I do to eliminate that lateral movement?? I was thinking of using a silicon caulk, but thought I would post this to see if anyone has a better solution. I want it to sit very firmly on the floor without any movement.

Thanks Pbenson@orfairplan.com

We had two brand new Totos installed in a remodel about 18 months ago and they both just kept on "running" I would have to lift off the tank top and pull that ball thing up to stop it. The plumber who installed it and the contractor both came here, fixed both toilets, but one is starting to do it again. Very frustrating. Any ideas.

I'll be replacing my toto flapper and am wondering if anyone who has done this can advise me: how do I detach the flapper from the hinges attaching the flapper to the tube in the tank? I'm reluctant to start tugging at parts in there without knowing what I am doing.

I'll stick with a top of the line kohler. This Toto is No No. I hate problematic plumbing.

I asked before why Toto and not Kohler, Porcher, American Standard, Ehler and got no answer. I am budgeting and researching for a bathroom reno in the fall but after reading all the quirks (faulty flapper, runny noisy tanks) listed since last year, I have to wonder why is the Toto the gold standard of toilets. could it be only aesthetics?

God, I LOVE my Toto! Well, the toilet is about as lovable as any ordinary well-designed toilet, but the Washlet is amazing.

I never found the thought of the wand particularly threatening, but the notion of a wand-equipped toilet seemed to be one of those peculiarly Japanese creations that pop culture addicts can't get enough of. However, after my first visit to Japan, I was immediately converted.

I really think that the Washlet is amazing, and I do think that eventually we'll reach a time when we in the West look at non-washlet equipped toilets the way we look at European/Asian hole-in-the-floor "squatter" toilets now.

I wish Toto would make a cheaper Neorest, though. I bought online, and I think that between the toilet and a matching washlet, the damage was about $1200.

Jonathan--

Agreed! Washlets are the way of the future! Would you rather be clean, or not so clean? It's as simple as that.

Don't fear the wand!

the wand is also a matter of how much paper do we want to waste, as well as how clean do we want to be...

as for the TOTO, i have the new low-flow for #!, high-flow for #2 version, and even the high flow uses half the water of a regular toilet.

every little bit helps - it cost a bit more, but i like to think i am doing my part...

Our chance trip to Tokyo last year converted us to the Washlet. There was no escaping them there, and once we got the nerve up to goof around with all the buttons?

Converted for life.

It went from 'weird, not touching it' to 'huh, this is kind of cool' to 'I. Must. Have. One.' in about a minute. (The wand thing, by the way, stays tucked away until you push the button, and never comes close to contacting your skin.)

It all sounds grosser than it is.

We just put in a Toto Aquia, and a small amount of water is pooling around the base. The plumber told us that there is probably a tiny hole in the tank. I suspect that he didn't install the toilet properly (the instructions were far from clear). Has anyone else had this problem?

Ohhh to have a Washlet!!!!
Right now I just have an American Standard toilet; in white of course. I've attached a swing-out washer (from Argentina) with a small knob on the side that regulates water flow. Another model allows for warm water but that would have required a plumber and a small water heater to install so I'm making do with cold water and isn't too bad. But as a child, having a sudden cold spray back there would frighten me. I've taken to telling guests that it's a dog water fountain.

That wand thing looks pretty weird, but I think it probably would be hard to live without if you ever got used to it, come to the think of it.

But since they probably won't ever make these toilets in a peach color, it's probably not gonna happen in my place.

One thing about the wand though, is that it looks like just the kind of appendage that would be likely to break eventually. The more moving parts there are in anything, the more likely that always is.

I bought a toto lloyd. Loved the quiet flush and walnut seat at first. The walnut seat cracked and the flapper chain broke within six months. It may be better than most low flow flush toilets--but still often required multiple flushes or 'manual disimpaction' to clear(regular plungers didn't fit). I moved to a new apartment with an old fashioned flushometer thunderously loud toilet---and I'm never switching!

I've owned 2 totos for 7 years, before that I rented a place with one for 5 years. 3 different models and different costs, never had the problems others have experienced. Toto has been reliable, water-saving, good-looking and has very rarely clogged. My husband has speced them for years for his residential design clients. No one has ever complained to us, while several have remarked on how great they work. We are also big kohler and porcher fans, but for toilets, it's toto all the way.

have a toto and the flapper shuts so fast that the actual toilet cannot fill up. We have to do it manually.
Tried changing length of chain, moving clip on the over flow...any other idea??
am I missing something?

to be blunt...toto sucks. just visit totosucks.com if your not sure. When it comes to toilets you have to stay American and go with the Champion 4.... 10 year warranty inside and out! Oh and at 1000 grams...its the gift that keeps on taking.

shapirodave: totosucks.com was apparently a short lived idea since the domain is dead now. (barely a year later)

I'm no toilet expert but it seems a simple case of fixing any of the problems I've seen listed above in 2 1/2 years. Flapper hole blew out? Drill a new one and connect the chain with a paper clip. Do you need someone to customerly service your hand for every product you're ever purchased? I hope not.

I just bought a new Aquia and it is obviously more technically evolved than most toilets I've dealt with, however I anticipate no immediate problems. I would expect it to be more evolved considering it has 2 flush modes.

I personally love the human driven extensions of our need for effieciency and convinence we call technology. Whether a bit of tech is abusrd and dissapears a year later or lasts for centuries like say, a pencil. I enjoy the persuit of making our lives easier and more comfortable through whatever devices.

For Toto's sake and the persuit of technology: Intelligence Toilet II. "The new “II� is equipped with all of the original health monitoring features (urine sugar analysis, blood pressure check, BMI and body weight measurement), plus an additional function designed to appeal to women: urine temperature measurement and analysis. "

http://www.cscoutjapan.com/en/index.php/new-intelligence-toilet-ii-targets-women/

It may be short lived and seemingly silly to most people (including me), but it's the thought that counts right? It could be the dumbest idea ever but at the same time it might have unthinkable consequences for human evolution ever thought of at its conception.

I also think it's obvious that it doesnt matter what country its made in either. Saying I need an american made CHAMPION 4 to me is like saying I need a Ford Dominator F650 to "get the job done".

I like my Toto Aquia and it's not even installed yet. If it malfunctions I'll be a resourceful human and figure out how to fix it.