New Delta Toilets at Home Depot

[Whitlow]

I just installed a new Delta Corrente today. I decided on it because of several unique features like the tank bolts do no connect through the tank and the supply line connects through the top of the tank and the flush value is almost 4 inches. It's the only toilet I've seen with these design features. I'll report back how it holds up and performs. So far the only thing I didn't like is the seat which I replaced with the slow close seat I already had.

I was really tempted to get the AS Champion 4 because of the videos I've seen of it flush and I thought the flush valve issues were fixed, but some on here were saying even with a new Korky seal some say it still leaked.

[wjcandee]

Interesting. Is this a Delta-licensed product, or a Delta product made by Delta here in the US? Let us know how it flushes. Let us know the china quality and where it is made. I guess there are no standard parts in it, looking at how it's laid out. Any explanations of the merits of any of them? Obviously, you're not going to find that fill valve anywhere but from Delta in 10 years, and it's not going to cost $10.

What could the merits be of having the fill valve feed from a braided supply that enters the top of the toilet? Fewer penetrations in the porcelain below the water line? Is there really a significant problem out there with leakage around the fill valve penetration in the porcelain (where it's in the same place it is in my American Standard model from the year 1927)? My 1927 toilet doesn't have that problem, and I just installed a new Korky fill valve in it for $8.

I saw in another post where Terry believed that somewhere between 2.5 and 3 inches was the ideal flush valve size, that 3" might be too much. Interesting that Delta went for "the biggest" at 3.75", which isn't necessarily optimal. Kohler tried that previously (wanting to be "the biggest"), then backed away from it.

Finally, I am curious about the apparent trend, exhibited here, towards reducing or eliminating the opening at the top of the overflow riser. I notice that Korky has, in contrast, moved towards a wider-diameter riser, which really can keep the water from overflowing the tank in the event of a runaway fill valve. Everyone else, it seems, has narrowed the opening at the top of the riser, which -- unless I am missing some design feature that I can't see -- would seem to reduce the toilet's ability to keep from overflowing in the event of a fully-runaway fill valve.

[jimbo]

Delta website shows their small line of toilets, and notes they are available ONLY at the depot. So we can be assured they are made under license, probably in China. What are the odds that the depot will stock any repair parts???? NOT GOOD!!!!!

[Whitlow]

Interesting. Is this a Delta-licensed product, or a Delta product made by Delta here in the US? Let us know how it flushes. Let us know the china quality and where it is made. I guess there are no standard parts in it, looking at how it's laid out. Any explanations of the merits of any of them? Obviously, you're not going to find that fill valve anywhere but from Delta in 10 years, and it's not going to cost $10.

Yep I worry about that fill valve too.

What could the merits be of having the fill valve feed from a braided supply that enters the top of the toilet? Fewer penetrations in the porcelain below the water line? Is there really a significant problem out there with leakage around the fill valve penetration in the porcelain (where it's in the same place it is in my American Standard model from the year 1927)? My 1927 toilet doesn't have that problem, and I just installed a new Korky fill valve in it for $8.

Fewer penetrations in the porcelain below the water line is the only reason I can see. I have had leaks on mine before but it was usually just after replacing the fill valve and corrected right away with no future problems.

I saw in another post where Terry believed that somewhere between 2.5 and 3 inches was the ideal flush valve size, that 3" might be too much. Interesting that Delta went for "the biggest" at 3.75", which isn't necessarily optimal. Kohler tried that previously (wanting to be "the biggest"), then backed away from it.

Crap, I missed that discussion! I assumed the bigger the better because from video's to me the AS Champion 4 seemed to have the most powerful flush with its 4 inch fill valve.

Finally, I am curious about the apparent trend, exhibited here, towards reducing or eliminating the opening at the top of the overflow riser. I notice that Korky has, in contrast, moved towards a wider-diameter riser, which really can keep the water from overflowing the tank in the event of a runaway fill valve. Everyone else, it seems, has narrowed the opening at the top of the riser, which -- unless I am missing some design feature that I can't see -- would seem to reduce the toilet's ability to keep from overflowing in the event of a fully-runaway fill valve.

You lost me on this, but I think you mean like where the tube used to be on the plastic part where the flapper is...

I agonized over this decision for a while before getting this one. I'm not a plumber, just a home owner. At the big box stores they suggested Kohler and a plumber I use suggested Kohler or Delta. I looked at reviews and a lot people don't think the Kohler cimarron really flushes that well. Plus first thing I do is go and look through the parts Aisle and see whats available and I didn't really see replacement Kohler flush towers either maybe I missed it. There probably was a replacement seal there. Yea replacing parts was my first worry, but they do have some listed on the home depot website. It might have been smarter to get the Delta prelude model which uses the normal fill value connection and I think standard fill valve, but it did not look as nice as this model which was only ~$20 more. My plumber suggested that these Delta's seem built better than their cost ~$160 for the Prelude and ~$189 for the Corrente because they are trying to break into the market.
I know on here Toto is the toilet of choice, but they are not sold at any big box store here in Georgia and I've been in a few plumping supply stores and never seen them. Maybe I should look harder because I've read here that they are made here. The unit I replaced was an old Gerber and this is my first 1.28 unit. I replaced another several years ago in the kids bathroom with a cheap $50 Pegasus which was my best flushing unit and I've had no problems, but I hate it because it is a round unit. So the plan is two replace the other 2 units with something else eventually.

[jadnashua]

Toto does have a factory in Georgia, and while not all the toilets they sell in the USA are made there, they do make a bunch of them there. I'm sure if you looked around and checked www.totousa.com website, you'd find someone that sells them. Note that the street selling price is often MUCH lower than the suggested retail price. Most any supply house can order them, if they don't have them. To sell in a big box store, you have to generally give them a really good price. Toto, and some other manufacturers, prefer not to compromise quality by giving that low price...something has to go when that happens. When you're essentially selling all you make, why offer to sell them cheaper at a big box store?

[Whitlow]

I'll check on prices for Toto on replacing my downstairs unit. From looking at the pages here it seems the best/suggested Toto's are the Drake II and Ultra Max II ???
I fill like I would have the same issue with finding parts for these as well...just saying I might not be able to run to my local big box to get parts and have to order from plumbing supply house.
For the kids bathroom with is small and cramped, I was thinking of a cadet 3 saver elongated (I know AS has quality issues) that fits in the space of a round toilet only ~29.25 inches.

I thought it would be interesting to post about the Delta because it does have some new design ideas I've not seen before. Here is a link to a video that shows them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKIjQjXvZ3U

[jadnashua]

Most of the Toto toilets, and the ones you mention fall into that group, use readily available Korky repair parts available at most any hardware store, any plumbing supply, and Lowes (HD does not stock Korky brand that I've seen).

Those you mention are nice toilets. Most any of the Totos work quite well, most of the time it's a function of what style and how much do you want to pay. Those are very nice...I put a couple of Drakes in my mother's house, and she's very happy. I have an older Vespin and Carlyle that have served me well.

[Whitlow]

Follow up on the Delta toilet after about 1 month - The flush has been fantastic with very good bowl cleaning and so far I'm very satisfied. The only thing I did not like was the seat which I replaced. Home Depot has now lowered the price to $169 for this model.

[SamC]

I noticed the Delta toilets at HD. It looks like the two tubes on the outside of the bowl that feed the priming jet are different sizes. I've seen one tube or duel tubes the same size, but never different size tubes. Do you know what that's about?

[Whitlow]

@SAMC - "I noticed the Delta toilets at HD. It looks like the two tubes on the outside of the bowl that feed the priming jet are different sizes. I've seen one tube or duel tubes the same size, but never different size tubes. Do you know what that's about?"

I don't know, but I will say it flushes well. I haven't had to use a plunger or clean the bowl at all yet.

[wjcandee]

Home Depot has now lowered the price to $169 for this model.

That's not a good sign vis-a-vis how it's selling, particularly considering that they give you a lot of stuff in the box.

It's also not a great thing that significant parts (like the unique flapper for both toilets and the fill valve for the Corrente) remain out of stock on HD online, the only retail source for them. The fill valve for the Prelude is available, but that's less important since it is essentially generic, you can replace it with a Korky 528 MaxPerformance or other modern adjustable fill valve. The other parts you can't.)

[Whitlow]

That's not a good sign vis-a-vis how it's selling, particularly considering that they give you a lot of stuff in the box.

It's also not a great thing that significant parts (like the unique flapper for both toilets and the fill valve for the Corrente) remain out of stock on HD online, the only retail source for them. The fill valve for the Prelude is available, but that's less important since it is essentially generic, you can replace it with a Korky 528 MaxPerformance or other modern adjustable fill valve. The other parts you can't.)

Delta seems to be standing behind them because a friend of mine recently bought two of these and had a problem with the clip to the lever for the flapper chain hanging which I think he could have easily fixed, but he called Delta. Delta sent him the entire replacement assembly with flapper and the tube, etc. it sits on. I think Delta is just trying to get into the toilet market thus the low cost, but they seem to be standing behind their product so far.

As far as parts go at home depots website they have several of the parts online:
flapper - http://tinyurl.com/bfxvvon
fill valve - http://tinyurl.com/av4a6gq
toilet tank bracket - http://tinyurl.com/ar5b5ve

[wjcandee]

I think it's a safe bet that Delta will stand behind the product: that's their reputation. How long they continue in the market is another question, but they're a company that I like, so I wish them luck at that price point. If someone is going to buy their toilet at the Big Box, I would just as soon see this manufacturer get the business as any other that sells there, assuming that they make a decent product.

The problem with the parts is that when you go to the HD web site, they appear to be available, then when you click on the part it shows "Out of stock online", and online is the only place you can get the parts, other than the manufacturer.

[Whitlow]

Delta seems to be standing behind them because a friend of mine recently bought two of these and had a problem with the clip to the lever for the flapper chain hanging which I think he could have easily fixed, but he called Delta. Delta sent him the entire replacement assembly with flapper and the tube, etc. it sits on. I think Delta is just trying to get into the toilet market thus the low cost, but they seem to be standing behind their product so far.

As far as parts go at home depots website they have several of the parts online:
flapper - http://tinyurl.com/bfxvvon
fill valve - http://tinyurl.com/av4a6gq
toilet tank bracket - http://tinyurl.com/ar5b5ve

I was wrong that is not the fill valve for the Corrente. It is listed as $64 on the Delta website!
Well I maybe sorry one day when I have to buy a fill valve or other parts and if they quit making these toilets, but as long as it lasts many years I deem that as acceptable. Before I bought this toilet I bought a cheap Home Depot brand 1.6 gallon on sale for $50 for the kids bathroom and it was the best flushing toilet I had before getting the Delta. I've got one more ~3.0+ gallon Gerber to get rid of and I'd really like to replace the round bowl home depot toilet for no other reason than I hate the round bowl.