Hello again,

Should brand preferences not be available... would you perhaps be able to provide me with some insight as to what makes for a better quality toilet with respect to quality of materials used??

Hi WaltWasz,
Toilets are pretty much made of the same material and any toilet will leak if it is put in place wrong.Perhaps it would be easier to ask if there is a toilet that is easier to work on or get parts for.
In my opinion,toilets are toilets and most all toilets accept universal parts inside the tank and to make the plumbing connections.

Some time ago, there was a post here that contained a URL for a really good Web site that had comparisons of toilets. I've lost the URL, but I believe you could find it if you search for it.

Don't pay too little for a toilet. As previously stated, a toilet is a toilet and the installation is pretty standard. However, there is a difference that may influence you. Apart from the quality of the external ceramic, it is apparently quite common for the cheaper ones to have a "rough" surface in the exit tube. I really don't know if this very critical but I'm told that over the years, this does contribute to the build-up of solids and eventually blockages do result.

Also, when I recently fit a toilet, the supplier did mention that replacement parts for the cheaper ones are not readilly available.

I reached the conclusion that it was worth paying a bit extra for a recognized brand - Crane, American Standard etc. I would not gamble on being disappointed with such an important part of my home!

Good luck. Alan