Kohler Wellworth Toilet - I Was Just Sitting Here Thinking...
Written: Dec 05 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Kohler brand name quality, Wide color choice, Gravity flush limiting clogs
Cons: Seat not included, please don't attempt to use this product without one!
The Bottom Line: Quality brand name, Excellent finish, Fair price, Lesser priced options are available but 65 years of history stand behind this model.
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| michiman1's Full Review: Kohler Wellworth Round-front Toilet K-3423 |
I was just sitting here thinking... No, I was in my office... I mean my real office... It's amazing to think Kohler introduced the first Wellworth model 65 years ago making this model now old enough to collect Social Security and yet it's still readily available today. Although revised and improved over it's lifetime, in it's most recent form, the Kohler Wellworth Round-front toilet has become, and remains an industry leader.
The Kohler Wellworth Round-front toilet will meet all the latest building requirements with it's 1.6 gallon gravity flush. On January 1, 1984 the national requirement which mandated every residential toilet manufactured and sold within the United States be 1.6 GPF or less took effect. While these new toilets did offer obvious water conservation benefits, many consumers complained about the original low consumption toilets for a number of reasons. But, as with any other products, improvements have now taken these devices to a new level. The latest improvements are specifically designed to utilize the power of water dropping from the tank, into the bowl to force waste as efficiently as possible.
In addition, Kohler has designed this particular model with a 2" glazed trapway. Once the water has forced waste out of the bowl, the glazing aids in moving heavy waste quickly and freely through the entire trapway minimizing and nearly eliminating blockages.
This model specifies a 12" rough-in. For those considering a do-it-yourself project, "rough-in" refers to the space between the wall behind the fixture and the center of the toilet's drain. 12" as specified on this model is the standard distance but 10" and 14" are also regularly used.
This model is constructed of a attractive vitreous china and comes in a nice array of color choices. Below is a list of available colors. although a number of these may have to be specially ordered at an additional cost:
Almond
Biscuit
Cream City
Ice Grey
Innocent Blush
Mexican Sand
Navy
Sand Bar
Seafoam Green
Skylight
Stoneware
Sunlight
Thunder Grey
Timberline
White
White Cliffs
Wild Rose
The round-front design of this model's bowl has a smaller footprint which takes up less space than models with the more expensive elongated bowl. Kohler also makes the Wellworth in an elongated style with similar features should that design be your preference.
The Kohler Wellworth Round-front toilet, as well as the elongated models are constructed as a two-piece bowl and tank and do come equipped with a polished chrome trip lever. You are responsible for purchasing the hardware as well as the seat separately. Kohler does offer seats in most of the above colors but expect to pay anywhere between $18.00 to $45.00 on top of the price of the Wellworth depending on the model of seat you select.
Our Kohler fixtures were selected during the construction of our home several years ago. I see this model currently offered in the $160.00 range. When price shopping, you will notice this model carries a premium over some manufacturers products offered at local home stores. Manufacturers such as Mansfield and American Standard do market comparable products nearer to the $100.00 price point. As a matter of fact, as a way to cut some costs, I did end up selecting Mansfield from our local Home Depot when adding a bathroom in my basement. Both the Kohler fixtures as well as the Mansfield have served us equally well, yet the Kohler does have a bit more stylish look and the lever appears a bit more substantial. Whether that is worth an extra $50.00 or so is entirely up to you.
Kohler does offer customers a limited one year warranty on it's entire line of retail products. While this may be useful when purchasing faucets or other products, it most likely will not affect your toilet purchase. In the rare event it does become necessary, below is a copy of the warranty information as taken directly from the website:
Kohler plumbing fixtures, faucets and fittings are warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for one year from date of installation.
Kohler Co. will, at its election, repair, replace or make appropriate adjustment where Kohler Co. inspection discloses any such defects occurring in normal usage within one year after installation. Kohler Co. is not responsible for removal or installation costs.
To obtain warranty service, contact Kohler Co. either through your Dealer, Plumbing Contractor, Home Center or E-tailer, or by writing Kohler Co.,
Attn: Customer Service Department
444 Highland Drive
Kohler, WI 53044 USA
or by calling:
1-800-4-KOHLER from within the USA
1-800-964-5590 from within Canada
001-877-680-1310 from within Mexico.
We were fortunate since these fixtures were included during construction, we were not forced with the decision of selecting a lesser priced option in order to save a few bucks. I may not have made the same decision at the time with all the added expenses while building a new home. Now that we have happily lived with these fixtures for some years, I am certain the Kohler Wellworth Round-front toilet is an option that will give you for many years of worry-free of service. I'm confident in giving my full recommendation of this product. If you're still not sure go sit in your office... no, I mean your real office... and think about it for a while.
To contact Kohler by phone:
Phone: 1-800-4-KOHLER (456-4537)
Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Central Time) Monday to Friday
Recommended:
Yes
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