Who Manufactures American Standard Toilets? The Complete Expert Guide
If you‘re in the market for a new high-performance toilet, American Standard should be at the top of your list. As one of the leading toilet manufacturers in North America, American Standard has set the standard for innovative and reliable bathroom fixtures for over 140 years.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about American Standard toilets. You’ll learn about their manufacturing process, full product line, newest technologies, quality control, and more. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Click to expand Table of Contents
- The American Standard Brand
- Where American Standard Toilets Are Made
- Types of Toilets Manufactured
- Innovative Flushing Systems
- Other Key Toilet Features
- Quality Testing and Certification
- How to Choose the Right Toilet
- Installing Your American Standard Toilet
- Caring and Maintaining Your Toilet
- Troubleshooting Common Toilet Problems
- Ordering Replacement Parts
- Why American Standard is Our Top Choice
The American Standard Brand
American Standard has been an icon in the plumbing manufacturing industry ever since they were founded way back in 1872. Originally known as the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company, they quickly grew into one of the largest bath fixture and porcelain manufacturers by the early 1900s.
Some key events in American Standard‘s 150 year history include:
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1872 – Standard Sanitary is founded in Pittsburgh, PA to make cast-iron bathtubs and other early plumbing products.
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1906 – Standard Sanitary relocates to New Jersey and begins focusing more on bathroom fixtures and toilets.
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1955 – They release the iconic Champion toilet design that becomes one of their most popular and enduring models.
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1967 – The company changes its name to American Standard as their products are sold across the U.S.
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2013 – American Standard is acquired by LIXIL, expanding their global reach.
Today, American Standard continues to manufacture innovative bathroom fixtures and fittings while maintaining strong domestic production capabilities. Their toilets consistently earn top ratings and recommendations from consumers, contractors, and industry experts.
Where American Standard Toilets Are Made
A unique advantage that American Standard has over many competitors is that all of their vitreous china toilets are engineered and manufactured right here in the United States.
Some of their main toilet production facilities are located in:
- Salem, OH
- Cisco, TX
- McCook, IL
This domestic focus allows for stricter quality control during the design and production process. Toilets manufactured overseas tend to have higher defect rates and more performance issues out of the box based on our experience.
By keeping facilities closer to home, American Standard can respond faster to customer feedback and fine-tune new technologies until they meet the highest standards. The pride they take in their American roots results in a more reliable, better constructed toilet.
Types of Toilets Manufactured
American Standard has one of the most extensive toilet product lines in the residential marketplace. They currently produce over 100 different toilet models encompassing a wide variety of styles, configurations, and features.
Some of the main toilet types you’ll find from American Standard include:
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One-piece vs two-piece: One-piece toilets have a seamless, easy to clean design where the tank and bowl are molded as a single vitreous china unit. Two-piece models have a separate tank that bolts onto the bowl, providing more installation flexibility.
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Elongated vs round bowl: Elongated bowls are oval-shaped, offering more room and comfort. Round bowl toilets work well for small bathrooms but provide less sitting space.
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Standard vs compact height: Standard toilets are around 15” tall; compact height units range from 12”-14” to meet ADA accessibility guidelines.
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Floor-mounted vs wall-hung: Wall-mounted toilets conserve space since the tank and workings are hidden inside the wall. Floor-mounted toilets have a more traditional installation.
You can view their full range of toilet styles and specifications on the American Standard website to choose the right model for your bathroom’s size and layout.
Innovative Flushing Systems
One area where American Standard truly shines is in pioneering new toilet flushing technologies that enhance water efficiency and waste removal performance.
Some of their most advanced systems include:
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VorMax Flushing – Their VorMax engines use precision-engineered tanks, bowls, and trapways to create a strong siphon during flushing. This results in clog-free, one-flush performance.
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PowerWash Rim – This rim design has rows of water jets that circulate water around the bowl for more thorough rinsing.
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FloWise – Using only 1.28 gallons per flush, FloWise models meet EPA WaterSense criteria for water conservation.
Going with an American Standard toilet means you can be confident that all waste will be cleared quickly and completely with minimal water usage every time you flush.
Other Key Toilet Features
In addition to impressive flush performance, American Standard toilets come packed with many other useful and innovative features.
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EverClean Surface: A permanent coating that inhibits growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on porcelain surfaces.
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Right Height Design: Toilets with bowl heights from 17”-19” make sitting down and standing up more comfortable.
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CleanCurve Rim: An angled rim design that helps direct water down into the bowl for a deeper clean.
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Quiet-Close Seat: The soft-close hinges prevent toilet seats from loudly slamming down.
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Smart Seat: Automatically opens and closes the toilet seat for a hands-free experience.
Quality Testing and Certification
Durability and reliability are two of the main reasons for choosing a brand like American Standard for your home. But don’t just take their word for it – their rigorous quality testing protocols back it up.
Here are some of the ways they ensure superior performance:
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1.6 million test flushes – Every new flush valve design must pass this extreme flush test.
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400 lbs load testing – Toilets seats and lids are tested to hold up to 400 lbs of weight.
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WaterSense certification – Most models meet EPA criteria for water efficiency and performance.
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ADA compliance – Compact height toilets are certified compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
With this level of scrutiny during development, you can trust that your American Standard toilet will work as expected while withstanding the demands of daily use.
How to Choose the Right Toilet
Ready to pick out your new American Standard toilet? Here are some tips to ensure you select the right model:
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Carefully measure the amount of space you have for the toilet. Make note of the rough-in distance (wall to toilet flange) and any constraints.
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Consider who will be using the toilet most. Taller or shorter users, children, seniors, and those with mobility challenges have different needs.
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Choose between a contemporary one-piece or more traditional two-piece style based on bathroom aesthetics.
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Determine if you want standard or compact height; elongated or round front bowl shape.
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Check that your selected toilet meets the latest efficiency standards with at least 1.28 gpf water usage.
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Read reviews and feedback from other homeowners to weigh the pros and cons of different options.
Taking the time to evaluate your specific bathroom and household needs will ensure you pick the perfect American Standard toilet.
Installing Your American Standard Toilet
Once you’ve purchased your American Standard toilet, it’s time for installation. Here are some best practices:
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Carefully review the installation manual and verify that you have all recommended supplies and tools.
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Turn off the water supply and flush the old toilet to empty the tank before removal.
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After removing the old toilet, clean and dry the floor area where the new toilet will sit.
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Set the wax ring in place and lower the new toilet onto the flange, pressing down firmly to seal.
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Alternately tighten the bolts to secure the bowl to the floor. Do not overtighten.
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Install the tank, ensuring the gaskets and washers are properly aligned before tightening bolts.
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Connect the water line to fill valve and turn on water supply. Test for any leaks.
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Allow the tank to fill completely and test flushing performance. Make any needed adjustments.
Taking the time to correctly install your American Standard toilet will ensure it functions properly for years of dependable service.
Caring and Maintaining Your Toilet
Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your American Standard toilet running smoothly. Follow these care guidelines:
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Thoroughly scrub the bowl every week using a non-abrasive cleaner and toilet brush.
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Inspect the flush valve, flapper, and fill valve annually and replace any deteriorated parts.
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Check bolts and gaskets yearly to identify any leaks early. Tighten or replace as needed.
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Avoid in-bowl cleaners with bleach that can degrade rubber toilet components over time.
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For deep cleaning, use a pumice stone to gently scrub any buildup in the bowl or tank.
Following the manufacturer’s care recommendations will help maximize the longevity of your American Standard toilet.
Troubleshooting Common Toilet Problems
If you experience any performance issues with your American Standard toilet, here are some common problems and fixes:
Clogs – Use a closet auger to vigorously plunge the clog. Flushing again may dislodge it. For stubborn clogs, the trapway may need cleaned.
Leaks – Check the bolts, gaskets, and wax ring first. The flapper is another common source of small leaks. Replace any defective parts.
Weak flush – Make sure the flapper is sealing properly between flushes. A worn flush valve can reduce performance. Cleaning the rim jets may help.
Running water – The fill valve may have a worn diaphragm or require adjustment. Float height and chain length also impact proper water shut off.
Don’t hesitate to contact American Standard customer support for additional troubleshooting tips to get your toilet working properly again.
Ordering Replacement Parts
Over time, you may need to replace common wear-and-tear parts like the flapper, fill valve, bolts, or gaskets.
Ordering replacement parts directly from American Standard is the best option to ensure compatible and high-quality components. Their website makes it easy to find parts by toilet model number:
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Locate the model number printed inside your toilet tank or near the bowl base.
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Go to https://www.americanstandard-us.com and search for your model in Repair Parts.
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Identify the necessary replacement part and place the order through the website.
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Genuine American Standard repair parts ship quickly and usually include DIY installation instructions.
Only use original manufacturer parts to refurbish your American Standard toilet for optimal performance and longevity.
Why American Standard is Our Top Choice
After comparing all of the leading toilet brands on the market, the engineering, quality, and performance of American Standard toilets consistently rise to the top.
Some of the key reasons we think American Standard is the #1 toilet brand:
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Heritage of innovation – 140+ years perfecting the science of flushing drives product breakthroughs.
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Powerful performance – Flush systems like VorMax provide unmatched waste clearing power.
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Water efficiency – Most models meet or exceed strict EPA WaterSense standards.
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Durable construction – Vitreous china components last for decades.
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Trusted company – Used in millions of homes and commercial settings worldwide.
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Great value – More features and reliability for the money compared to competitors.
If you’re looking for your next toilet to tackle every flushing demand with excellence, American Standard is the brand that will deliver. We hope this complete guide gives you confidence in choosing the best American Standard toilet for your home. Let us know if you have any other questions!