Here's the situation:
1. Uninsulated summer cabin on lake in northern NY. Occupied up to six weeks a year in July-August, on average four to six people at a time. Bathroom about 5'x6', with stall shower, toilet and small sink, small window, no fan, low ceiling. Well water, septic system. Licensed plumber inspects, turns water on/off each year.
2. Current toilet is 30-odd year old American Standard 3.5gpf (don't have model #s) standard, round bowl, 12-inch rough, 27 1/2 inch depth. Operates reasonably well, with occasional plunging. However, when tank water is still for a week or more during hot weather, mold and other slime develops rapidly, interfering with flapper/value seal if not cleared out. No other signs of tank leaks.
3. Current toilet tank sweats considerably during hottest days, moderately during normal (75 degrees, moderate humidity) days, assuming about 20 or more flushes per day. Sweating addressed with hanging tray system below tank, but about half condensed water probably reaches the floor. Leaking water seems to be attracting ants.
4. Septic system is about same age, with about a 60-foot run and only about a five-foot drop, mostly at end nearest septic tank. Not sure of tank capacity, but fills after 2-3 weeks steady use by 5-6 people, and requires pumping out about every third year.
5. Hot water tank is back-to-back with toilet in adjacent room, through an uninsulated wall. But direct water valve to toilet is just above floor level, requiring extension/replacement of supply line to add mixing valve.
6. Will be removing toilet and flooring below it soon to inspect/treat ant problem. Will make any toilet-related changes then.
Major options under consideration:
1. Keep current toilet, connect hot water supply via mixing valve. Shut off supply, drain tank when unoccupied.
2. Replace toilet with Gerber Viper standard 1.6gpf, trusting in water mixing to address sweating issue, benefiting from reduced fill rate for septic tank but risking more backups over long run to tank.
3. Replace current toilet with Gerber Viper 1.6gpf insulated tank model, reducing sweating but possibly worsening mold-slime problem, cleanup on a Styrofoam surface.
Plumber recommends Viper with insulated tank. Nearby plumbing supply house recommends standard tank Viper, or existing toilet with mixing valve. Advice?
1. Uninsulated summer cabin on lake in northern NY. Occupied up to six weeks a year in July-August, on average four to six people at a time. Bathroom about 5'x6', with stall shower, toilet and small sink, small window, no fan, low ceiling. Well water, septic system. Licensed plumber inspects, turns water on/off each year.
2. Current toilet is 30-odd year old American Standard 3.5gpf (don't have model #s) standard, round bowl, 12-inch rough, 27 1/2 inch depth. Operates reasonably well, with occasional plunging. However, when tank water is still for a week or more during hot weather, mold and other slime develops rapidly, interfering with flapper/value seal if not cleared out. No other signs of tank leaks.
3. Current toilet tank sweats considerably during hottest days, moderately during normal (75 degrees, moderate humidity) days, assuming about 20 or more flushes per day. Sweating addressed with hanging tray system below tank, but about half condensed water probably reaches the floor. Leaking water seems to be attracting ants.
4. Septic system is about same age, with about a 60-foot run and only about a five-foot drop, mostly at end nearest septic tank. Not sure of tank capacity, but fills after 2-3 weeks steady use by 5-6 people, and requires pumping out about every third year.
5. Hot water tank is back-to-back with toilet in adjacent room, through an uninsulated wall. But direct water valve to toilet is just above floor level, requiring extension/replacement of supply line to add mixing valve.
6. Will be removing toilet and flooring below it soon to inspect/treat ant problem. Will make any toilet-related changes then.
Major options under consideration:
1. Keep current toilet, connect hot water supply via mixing valve. Shut off supply, drain tank when unoccupied.
2. Replace toilet with Gerber Viper standard 1.6gpf, trusting in water mixing to address sweating issue, benefiting from reduced fill rate for septic tank but risking more backups over long run to tank.
3. Replace current toilet with Gerber Viper 1.6gpf insulated tank model, reducing sweating but possibly worsening mold-slime problem, cleanup on a Styrofoam surface.
Plumber recommends Viper with insulated tank. Nearby plumbing supply house recommends standard tank Viper, or existing toilet with mixing valve. Advice?
Last edited: