Toto Drake toilet product review

**suceress** · 03-20-2008, 04:25 PM

Ok,

I got 2 of the Drake toilets but am having a bit of a problem with the install. The biggest problem is that we had to replace the floor. The old was too rotted and the plumbing assembly for it came apart so we couldn't see how it went. It was so old I don't think it was much like the new setup. We were told to put in a toilet flange thingy that looks like it can twist to fit. But we're not sure how it is supposed to fit. Is the flange supposed to be set into the floor or is it supposed to just sit on top of it?

Another issue is the Johnny Bolts the Toto dealership place sold us: we can't figure out who they are supposed to fit. They have an eliptical shape rather than rounded and won't fit into the slots of the flange. They also don't have any holes with which to screw them down. I guess they have to be fingertightened. They came with some weird plastic thingies that I assume are like washers, but the bag didn't come with any indication of how they are supposed to fit.

I can take pictures or draw diagrams if necessary to make this more clear. I'm just stuck right now and can't figure out what to do. We called for a plumber but he's not currently available. :-(

I would really appreciate any info. Pictures or diagrams would also be great.

**jadnashua** · 03-20-2008, 06:09 PM

The lip of the flange is designed to sit on top of the finished floor and be attached through the finished floor into the subflooring. A twist-and-set toilet flange has an expandable gasket that creates the seal to the drain pipe. Depending on the one you have, it may have screw slots to tighten it or may require an allen wrench. There are usually either T-shaped slots that come in from the edges, or keyhole shaped slots that allow you to put the bowl anchor bolts through the large part, then slide it so it is captured by the large head of the bolt in the smaller slot of the keyhole.

A picture of what you have would make it easier to be more specific. Whichever way the toilet anchor bolts go, they should be parallel to the rear wall (so the bolts can fit either side of the toilet base).

**suceress** · 03-20-2008, 06:39 PM

Thanks!

That info helped a lot. It's an adjustable flange and we made sure to measure and mark so that the bolts would come through at the right spots. We have the toilet installed. For some reason the bolts that came with it are too long, so we have to trim them a bit to fit the caps.

Btw, is it bad if the wax started coming out through the bolt holes after we put the toilet down? Or does that just mean that it is sealed down tightly?

**jadnashua** · 03-20-2008, 07:01 PM

That's normal...nothing to worry about.

**suceress** · 03-21-2008, 12:12 AM

Thanks.
Btw, are the bolts that go under the flange up into the toilet to hold the toilet on supposed to go through the floor as well? Or are they supposed to sit between the flange and the floor?

I hope it's installed correctly. So far it's working perfectly.

Also, will the blue cleaning stuff mess up the SanaGloss finish? I told my father not to put it in because I was worried it might stain the toilet (at least until I can find out more info on it).

**jadnashua** · 03-21-2008, 06:21 AM

The bolts fit in slots in the flange, they do not go into the floor (although in a pinch, it sometimes gets done that way).

The junk you put into the toilet tank will ruin the rubber and plastic parts of ANY toilet. Do not use them. As to a cleaner to use on SanaGloss, as long as it isn't abrasive, it's probably okay. Terry suggested that Clorox cleaner with Teflon works well.

**Redwood** · 03-21-2008, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by suceress

Also, will the blue cleaning stuff mess up the SanaGloss finish? I told my father not to put it in because I was worried it might stain the toilet (at least until I can find out more info on it).

The blue glop has ruined many a toilet by plugging up the internal water passages slowing the transfer of water from the tank to the bowl.

I believe almost every toilet manufacturer has a policy of voiding the guarantee on a new toilet if "intank bowl cleaners" are used. Many are just strong amounts of chlorine that will destroy the rubber parts used in a toilet.

There are several bowl cleaning devices such as the "Fluidmaster Flush and Sparkle" that are installed in the tube between the fill valve and the overflow tube. These devices will bypass all rubber parts in the toilet and deposit the bowl cleaning solution directly into the bowl. I do not know the manufacturers stance on these devices but they should be okay as they will bypass all the rubber parts that may be damaged.

**noeffort** · 03-23-2008, 06:37 PM

Installed the drake (elongated, sanigloss, softseat) last week.
Everyone in the family took it for a "test drive" and it passed with flying colors! Everyone is impressed with it. Amazing, from flush to refill is only about 25 seconds,
on other long refill time toilets, who likes to listen to the toilet running on those nightime runs!

Incredible that so little water can move so much.
Wasn't sure about the softseat, but since installing it and using it, very comfortable and functional.

THANK YOU TERRY for posting this forum, without the knowledge gained from this site, I still would be "plunging" away.

I just ordered another Toto, this time I went with the Ultramax elongated with sanigloss finish.

Hope the Ultramax works out as well as the drake. The ultramax will be going in our bathroom that gets the most use.

If I was in Terry's area, I would of purchased from him along with the installation.
Thanks again!!!!

**washogskinz** · 04-06-2008, 05:15 AM

Our family has been suffering since 1994 with our homes original toilets. After plunging all three of them at the same time one day, I went and found a Cotton White TOTO, still in the original boxes. After an hours drive, I met the guy who had bought 3 of them but this one didn't match their decor and it cost too much to send it back. I bought it as fast as humanly possible and now everybody uses our master bathroom where the TOTO is! As soon as I save up enough money, I'll replace the two off white ones too. It hasn't clogged up yet after a month.

**AstroProf** · 04-19-2008, 05:22 AM

Greetings,

After reading the descriptions on this forum, I was all set to order a Toto
Drake. However, I talked to a plumber, and he said he had a concern
about that particular model. He said there was a bolt running through
the tank, and he thought adding an extra hole in the tank was just asking
for having more leaks.

So I thought I would ask here, since no one seems to have mentioned this
before. Is there an unnecessary bolt through the Drake tank? Is the Drake
more prone to leaks? Or is this plumber's concern unfounded?

Thank you for a very helpful site, and thanks in advance for any comments
you might have.

**Mikey** · 04-19-2008, 06:12 AM

Sounds like he's trying to sell you a one-piece toilet. As far as I know, all two-piece toilets use bolts of some kind to hold the two pieces (tank and bowl) together. The one-piece toilets are usually more expensive, but do have some advantages (and disadvantages), which I'm sure some of the real plumbers can comment on.

**batteries** · 04-20-2008, 09:25 AM

I bought the TOTO, Elongated DrakeT Two Piece Toilet, 1.6 GPF - ADA -
MODEL #: CST744SL
I hope to never buy another toilet, ever, again. Because I dont need to. It really is a no problem toilet. Can you imagine not having to plunge again? The only problem is my excitement about a toilet. My family is tired of hearing me talk about how great this thing is. I hired a local licensed plumber who has about 30 years experience and had it installed.

whoopee

**jmforem** · 04-20-2008, 01:44 PM

OK, I am convinced I need a Drake. But which one? Round bowl or elongated? Standard Drake or "ECO" Drake? Sanagloss or not?

Any recommendations?

**jadnashua** · 04-20-2008, 02:59 PM

Unless you are a family of short people, the ADA height is nice. Standard toilets are lower than a chair, and ADA one is still shorter than an average chair, but that extra little bit does make it easier.

SanaGlos is a proprietary glaze that does make the toilet easier to keep clean and provides some anti-bacterial action...it's a nice addition, but not essenial. You can read the details on www.totousa.com site. There are other companies that make similar glazes, and it is very common I'm told in Japan and Germany. Can't verify that personally. I know Duravit has a similar thing.

Commercial toilets are required to be elongated, in the US anyways. For everyone, having a little more room at front makes it easier and cleaner to do your business with less likelyhood of rubbing against the porcelain.

**mapetrone** · 04-22-2008, 06:30 PM

Upgraded from a 5 gallon 1965 American Standard toilet to the above Eco Drake Sanagloss and have no regrets. My wife was a little scared that there would stains and clogs, especially with the 1.28 gal flush, but NO! Works perfectly. It is now the primary toilet in the house.

I heard from the plumbing specialty shop that Toto is going to stop making the regular Drake and just Eco Drake in the next few months. Just FYI, if you want a little more bowl wash you might want to get a few now. I have yet to find that the bowl wash is a problem in the Eco model.

Oh, the Non-ADA is higher than the old standard 1965 toilet by 2 inches, so for us little people it works great.