Toilet Tip

[retiredguy123]

The Kohler toilets installed by the builder use a two flush system. If you push down the handle and release it immediately, you will use about one-half gallon of water (light flush). If you push down the handle and hold it down for about 2 seconds, you will use about 2 gallons of water (heavy flush).

The other day, I noticed that the toilet in my guest bathroom was running periodically, indicating that I needed to replace the yellow gasket on the cannister. But when I removed the tank cover, I noticed a significant amount of dirt and grit in the bottom of the tank. When I flushed it, the grit started floating around in the tank and there was an accumulation of grit on the gasket and the bottom plastic seal. So, I cleaned it off and then held the handle down for about a minute or so and most of the grit was flushed out through the bowl. I think that using the light flush too often will cause this accumulation of grit in the tank because a light flush does not empty the tank. So, periodically, holding the handle down for a minute or so will flush out the grit and reduce the accumulation of grit in the tank. Obviously, another option is to turn off the water and clean out the tank.

[Hardlyworking]

Can you post the model # of your tank? It should be printed inside the tank back left corner. Thanks.

[retiredguy123]

Can you post the model # of your tank? It should be printed inside the tank back left corner. Thanks.
I think the stamped on number is K4407, but it is difficult to read.

There is a sticker that says 2014 Kohler 1174137-6-C

[metoo21]

I thought the 1 second flush was for #1 and the 2 second flush was for #2. :a20:
If so, then the tank should be flushed periodically.

[JGibson]

Or you could use the if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down method.

[RICH1]

Yes the Short flush Toilets have been available for many years..
Also dirt and sand in your toilet water tank maybe an indicator that a main water pipe break or a water supply has recently been flushed or repaired in your area…good idea to remove and clean your water faucet aerator, and replace your ice maker filter….Tip- use a shop vac to remove the grit from the toilet tanks..

[dewilson58]

Toilet Tip

I hate when a guy is standing there and you feel like you must tip.

:yuck:

[Nucky]

Toilet Tip

I hate when a guy is standing there and you feel like you must tip.

:yuck:

Just dine at Culver’s or Gio’s, problem solved!

[Bay Kid]

NOVA filter to remove the silt that sneaks into your home. Worked for me.

[coconutmama]

The Kohler toilets installed by the builder use a two flush system. If you push down the handle and release it immediately, you will use about one-half gallon of water (light flush). If you push down the handle and hold it down for about 2 seconds, you will use about 2 gallons of water (heavy flush).

The other day, I noticed that the toilet in my guest bathroom was running periodically, indicating that I needed to replace the yellow gasket on the cannister. But when I removed the tank cover, I noticed a significant amount of dirt and grit in the bottom of the tank. When I flushed it, the grit started floating around in the tank and there was an accumulation of grit on the gasket and the bottom plastic seal. So, I cleaned it off and then held the handle down for about a minute or so and most of the grit was flushed out through the bowl. I think that using the light flush too often will cause this accumulation of grit in the tank because a light flush does not empty the tank. So, periodically, holding the handle down for a minute or so will flush out the grit and reduce the accumulation of grit in the tank. Obviously, another option is to turn off the water and clean out the tank.

Thanks. Never noticed that. Anything to save on water bill.

[OhioBuckeye]

First of all I would turn water off in back of the closet (tank) then I would wipe out the inside of the tank & under the ball. ( plunger) Then turn water back on & see how it does before you spend any money & find out if this is exactly what the plumber is going to charge you for. I just had a similar thing happen & it was the chain that was sagging & getting under the ball water stop!

[Just jimmy]

The Kohler toilets installed by the builder use a two flush system. If you push down the handle and release it immediately, you will use about one-half gallon of water (light flush). If you push down the handle and hold it down for about 2 seconds, you will use about 2 gallons of water (heavy flush).

The other day, I noticed that the toilet in my guest bathroom was running periodically, indicating that I needed to replace the yellow gasket on the cannister. But when I removed the tank cover, I noticed a significant amount of dirt and grit in the bottom of the tank. When I flushed it, the grit started floating around in the tank and there was an accumulation of grit on the gasket and the bottom plastic seal. So, I cleaned it off and then held the handle down for about a minute or so and most of the grit was flushed out through the bowl. I think that using the light flush too often will cause this accumulation of grit in the tank because a light flush does not empty the tank. So, periodically, holding the handle down for a minute or so will flush out the grit and reduce the accumulation of grit in the tank. Obviously, another option is to turn off the water and clean out the tank.

All the villages or just the newer ones?? I never noticed this. Thanks

[retiredguy123]

All the villages or just the newer ones?? I never noticed this. Thanks
I think the builder has been installing these toilets in new houses for at least 10 years. If you remove the tank cover and read the sticker label, it will say cannister "dual flush".

[Hardlyworking]

We just arrived back home and I checked mine. 4467-CA single flush. House was built in 2018.

[retiredguy123]

We just arrived back home and I checked mine. 4467-CA single flush. House was built in 2018.
Interesting. There is a sticker inside the tank that has the model numbers for the Kohler replacement parts and mine says the cannister is a "dual flush" item. My house was built in 2015, and I have seen a lot of houses built before and after that with identical toilets as mine. I guess you need to check to verify which type you have. I think the builder should explain to home buyers which type they have because, with a single flush handle, many people don't know they have a dual flush toilet.

[Hardlyworking]

Interesting. There is a sticker inside the tank that has the model numbers for the Kohler replacement parts and mine says the cannister is a "dual flush" item. My house was built in 2015, and I have seen a lot of houses built before and after that with identical toilets as mine. I guess you need to check to verify which type you have. I think the builder should explain to home buyers which type they have because, with a single flush handle, many people don't know they have a dual flush toilet.

It’s definitely a single flush. Uses 1.28 gpf.

Yours is a dual flush if it’s the 4407.

[metoo21]

Ours are model 4467 and are 1.28 gallon single flush.

And for those wondering, the Kohler site also listed this:
Notice to California Customers
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

[Bill14564]

I suspect the K4407 stamped into the tank is the design of the tank itself, not the flush mechanism.

If you have a black, hollow canister and a single-piece lever I believe that is officially a single-flush system. It works as you say, a quick release is about half the water in the tank and a longer release is the full tank, but it is not the official dual-flush mechanism.

The Kohler dual-flush mechanism has a two-part handle (offering two separate flushes) and a complicated, solid canister.

(at least according to the youtube DIY videos)

[dewilson58]

Another classic ToTV's thread.

:evil6:

[retiredguy123]

I suspect the K4407 stamped into the tank is the design of the tank itself, not the flush mechanism.

If you have a black, hollow canister and a single-piece lever I believe that is officially a single-flush system. It works as you say, a quick release is about half the water in the tank and a longer release is the full tank, but it is not the official dual-flush mechanism.

The Kohler dual-flush mechanism has a two-part handle (offering two separate flushes) and a complicated, solid canister.

(at least according to the youtube DIY videos)
I don't know what you mean by an "official" dual-flush mechanism. My toilets have a Kohler sticker inside the tank that state that the replacement parts should be a "dual flush" mechanism, not a single flush mechanism. The handle is not a two part handle, but the toilet does function as a dual flush toilet. If you press the handle down and release it immediately, you get a light flush, but if you hold it down for a second or two, you get a heavy flush. I think that is the way it is designed to function, but they may have refined the design of later models to use a two part handle and a different canister. But, according to the 2014 Kohler document on my tank (and hundreds of others in The Villages), the toilet is a dual flush toilet.

[Bill14564]

I don't know what you mean by an "official" dual-flush mechanism. My toilets have a Kohler sticker inside the tank that state that the replacement parts should be a "dual flush" mechanism, not a single flush mechanism. The handle is not a two part handle, but the toilet does function as a dual flush toilet. If you press the handle down and release it immediately, you get a light flush, but if you hold it down for a second or two, you get a heavy flush. I think that is the way it is designed to function, but they may have refined the design of later models to use a two part handle and a different canister. But, according to the 2014 Kohler document on my tank (and hundreds of others in The Villages), the toilet is a dual flush toilet.

My 2014 sticker lists part numbers of replacement seals for both dual-flush and single-flush parts. I understood that to mean that if I had a dual-flush mechanism I chose those part numbers and if I had a single-flush mechanism I chose the other part numbers. Perhaps we have different stickers.

By "official" I mean the complicated, solid canister system sold as a dual-flush canister that works with either two buttons on the top of the tank or a two-piece handle.

Again, I agree that the mechanism with the hollow tube canister that I have works the way you describe. Maybe you are correct and the presence of a tube indicates a dual-flush system and it was modified in subsequent years to use the solid canister and two-piece handle.

[retiredguy123]

My 2014 sticker lists part numbers of replacement seals for both dual-flush and single-flush parts. I understood that to mean that if I had a dual-flush mechanism I chose those part numbers and if I had a single-flush mechanism I chose the other part numbers. Perhaps we have different stickers.

By "official" I mean the complicated, solid canister system sold as a dual-flush canister that works with either two buttons on the top of the tank or a two-piece handle.

Again, I agree that the mechanism with the hollow tube canister that I have works the way you describe. Maybe you are correct and the presence of a tube indicates a dual-flush system and it was modified in subsequent years to use the solid canister and two-piece handle.
Agreed

[Byte1]

Another classic ToTV's thread.

:evil6:

Is this related to the dog poop thread?

[Byte1]

Don't know much about "toilet tipping" but there was a time when some of the farm boys used to tip cows.

[Two Bills]

Another simple solution to save on water, is to put a house brick in tank.
(Recommend you take brick out to clear the aftermath of a Vindaloo.)