Question: Robert, in the past you have helped us with problems dealing with swimming pool water line leaks and leaf screens for house gutters. This new problem has us going in circles and not coming up with a solution.
Our home has an original American Standard wall mounted toilet in the guest bathroom. It probably dates to about 1973 and has the imprint code C-74 on both the tank and the lid. Recently the tank developed a leak coming from a fine crack in the middle of the tank. We have turned off the water line and drained the tank and begun the search for another tank or complete toilet replacement.
American Standard does not appear to have the C-74 model available in stock, and its replacement looks like the Glenwall VorMax 1.28 wall-mount unit. We ordered one through Home Depot, and when it was delivered the base was broken, but we were able to measure the mounting holes and they differ (old toilet top holes 7½ inches apart, new Glenwall 9 and 1/8 inches apart.) The plumber told us that there would be a metal sheet that the bolts screw into — that they did not simply screw into a wall stud. Since the toilet base is in fine condition, we are back to looking just for a tank replacement.
Searching on Ebay has come up with some used tanks that are “as is and no return”; so we could come up with another cracked tank and be out the purchase price. Do we rip out the wall and purchase a new Glenwall toilet and mounting bracket, continue to look for a used replacement tank, or should we look for a new tank (probably low flush 1.28 GPF to conform to California standards) that would fit the existing holes in the base toilet?
Any suggestions for a plumbing company that stocks NOS parts, a new replacement tank that would fit the old base, or can the existing tank be fixed with some product such as Alien Spray rubber spray/mastic/Henry’s paste/etc.? As always, thanks for the advice. (Photo attached.)
— Roger and Becki B.
Answer: Roger, good morning and thank you for being a loyal reader of The Signal. Regarding your wall mount toilet: I recommend that you walk into Hirsch or Ferguson plumbing supply and talk to the representatives at the counter. They’ll get you set up with what you need. Otherwise, you’re chasing parts and probably won’t find anything to match due to the age of the fixture. Thank you for sending the picture — it always helps.
Robert Lamoureux has more than 40 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at [email protected].
