You are heavily mistaken if you dwell on the thought that you can never go wrong with KOHLER. A crazy fan of KOHLER, so you ended up buying their San Souci toilet.
If you face issues with the toilet, it’s not your fault. The irresistible looks are to die for.
Regardless, we shall be discussing the KOHLER San Souci toilet problems in this article. Do not fret, as we will come up with a fix together. Let’s get started!
Problems with KOHLER San Souci Toilet
Kohler San Souci toilets can be an excellent addition to your bathroom. But no flushing toilet goes absolutely flawless, and this is no different.
Let’s check what’s people are complaining about the San Souci model:
- AquaPiston Touchless Flush – A Disaster at Times
You might know about the ghost or phantom flush that occurs at midnight. Maybe, you have heard it yourself. In the middle of the night, the sound of someone using your toilet when you were all alone must have scared you to death.
Okay, we stop right here. This is not any horror story, but a KOHLER San Souci toilet problem article, right?
San Souci touchless flush can exactly turn this horror story into a reality. Their ghost flushes make this sound all by themselves. Combine this with the sound of a creaking open door, and BOOM! You are done for.
We will provide some solutions for this problem below. Stay tuned!
- Limited Color Options
You may happily skip this problem if you are a sucker for white. However, if you are more into colors, this poses a problem.
KOHLER San Souci comes in mostly white, almond, and biscuit colors. For such a high price, only 3 available colors are never enough for some customers!
- Comfort Height Turns into Discomfort
Comfort height, in this case, means a height that is easy for users to reach. Well, mostly the shorter ones. Since the bowl shape is an elongated front, the height is reduced.
This means you need to bend to reach the seat. It becomes an inconvenience for tall users to bend.
The comfort height becomes a discomfort for them.
It is also small, meaning that the height and size are uncomfortable for big-sized people.
- Not Your Regular Toilet
Although San Souci is elegantly beautiful, it lacks the features of a regular toilet. It does not have a bowl toilet and typical tank, so it is counted as an issue.
This makes flushing an issue. Most customers complain that the flush automatically happens due to the missing typical tank.
- Durability Issues
KOHLER San Souci customers have been complaining about its flush power since day 1. Its flush power is a bit weaker compared to other KOHLER models. One main reason for its lack of durability is the flush lever.
The left-hand trip lever gets ineffective easily, so customers air many concerns regarding this. It happens because of the toilet’s low-profile tank.
Another durability issue happens for the large chunk of porcelain. To keep your toilet upkeep, there lacks any joining part. Though, it means this is more durable than two-piece toilets.
- Expensive
KOHLER San Souci toilet is unaffordable. The unique bowl shape, comfort height, and good quality increase the price.
Furthermore, the one-piece toilet is still a new concept, so customers are unfamiliar with it. This increases the economy of scale, escalating the production cost. The complex production method also heightens the price.
Lastly, the weight of the San Souci toilet is the prime reason for high shipping charges.
- Bulky and Heavy to Install
If you have used KOHLER San Souci Toilet, you must be aware that it is heavy. For new users, setting the toilet up becomes an issue.
Especially if you have a small space, installing this toilet becomes a big issue.
- Clogged Toilet
As covered with draining issues, a clogged toilet can interfere with proper flushing. The reduced water flow means the flush can’t generate enough force to effectively clear waste from the bowl.
Be sure to try unclogging methods like plunging, using a closet auger, or removing the toilet to clear any obstructions. Once fully unclogged, flushing should return to normal.
- Weak Flush Valve
The flush valve at the bottom of the tank releases the water into the bowl when you flush. Minerals and sediments can collect on the flush valve over time, preventing it from opening fully. This restricts water flow during the flush, reducing flushing power.
Cleaning or replacing the flush valve can restore full flush pressure. Make sure to consult flush valve manufacturer instructions.
- Worn Flapper
The rubber flapper acts as a seal to keep water in the tank between flushes. It lifts up when the toilet is flushed, allowing the water to exit the tank. If the flapper is misaligned, cracked, or otherwise worn out, it won’t create an airtight seal.
This allows water to continuously leak from the tank to the bowl, leaving insufficient tank water volume for an effective flush. Replacing the flapper with an OEM part will stop the leak for strong flushes again.
- Replacement Problem
Well, if you are considering replacing any broker bowl or damaged toilet tank, we are sorry to break your bubble. This is not possible with KOHLER San Souci.
Once you damage any porcelain part, you need to replace the entire toilet, not just the part. This replacement issue arises since the unique bowl and tank adhere really well.
It would mean going through a series of expenses. Most customers are afraid to take the risk, so they end up letting go of KOHLER San Souci.
The porcelain tank is fragile, needing special care. If any mishap occurs, seek professional help.
Above were some of the common problems. See if you are going through any of them, and find a possible solution below.
Solutions To San Souci Toilet Problems
Now that we are done with talking about all the drawbacks, let’s see some possible fixes.
- WD40
To ease the creaking sound, you can always use WD40. It lubricates your phantom flush, mitigating the ghostly noises. Otherwise, you can always resort to a manual trip lever flush setup.
Follow the installation methods written on the instruction sheet.
- Special Color Solution
Although KOHLER San Souci has only 3 colors at max, it readily offers a solution to those who need it. Sometimes, it offers a combination of San Souci and Purefresh for ones who like a variation in colors.
- Clean Fill Valve
A dirty fill valve can obstruct water flow even if set at the proper height. Remove any dirt or deposits from the fill valve to ensure unrestricted water flow into the tank.
Use a rag or scrub brush to gently clean the valve. Avoid damaging parts that regulate the flow.
- Replace Fill Valve
For older fill valves that can’t be sufficiently cleaned or have failed parts, replacing the entire fill valve can optimize water flow.
Turn off the water supply and drain the tank. Remove the old fill valve and install a new one matched to your San Souci model. Adjust it to the ideal water level for your toilet.
- Scrub Toilet Bowl
Limescale and hard water deposits can gradually build up on the surface of the toilet bowl. This makes the bowl appear to fill low even when the tank water is at the correct level.
Removing these deposits improves water flow and restores the bowl to visibly filling to the proper height. Use a pumice stone or toilet cleaning brush to gently scrub away any mineral deposits.
- Change the Flapper Seat
You can get rid of phantom flush by replacing the flapper. Make sure to check it after draining your bowl and tank.
- Adjust Tank Water Level
The factory setting water level in the tank is often higher than necessary, leading to excess water usage per flush.
To lower the water level:
- Turn off the toilet water supply line.
- Flush the toilet to empty the tank.
- Locate the fill valve float arm and bend it downward slightly to lower the water refill level.
- Turn the water supply back on and allow the tank to fill, checking the new water line. Adjust as needed.
- Choose the Height You Like
Do not fall for the elongated bowl design. Instead, go for your preferred height. Comfort height is the height you like, not the height of KOHLER San Souci toilets.
You can try contacting to heighten the seat or lower it as per your preference and adjust a complementary elongated bowl design.
- Try to Install it into Position
While installing the toilet, try to get it into position on the very first try. Why? Because the remaining work is a breeze. You only need to attach the water supply, mount the toilet seat, and caulk.
Do this with caution. Follow the instructions to prevent any future leaks. If you overtighten your bolts, you might see cracks in your tank or bowl.
- Curved Wires to Prevent Clogs
If you see a weak flush, your flush valve might not be the only culprit. There might be clogs in your KOHLER San Souci toilet. Poke your flush hole using a curved wire piece to remove any debris.
It is recommended you use a small mirror to help you get a clear view.
- Plumbing Service
KOHLER San Souci toilet becomes hard to handle for its bulky size. Try contacting a plumbing service for instances where you single-handedly cannot solve the problem.
It is fragile and needs to be dealt with with precaution. Experts are your go-to option in this case.
FAQs
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about KOHLER San Souci toilet troubleshooting:
If your San Souci toilet is draining but not flushing properly, the tank is likely not filling fully between flushes. Ensure the fill valve is adjusted to the proper height and free of obstructions. A worn flapper can also cause continuous leaking that prevents adequate tank water volume for flushing.
To adjust the water flow in a Kohler toilet, start by turning off the water supply line and flushing the toilet to empty the tank. Then locate the fill valve float arm and bend it up to increase water flow or down to decrease it. Turn the water back on and allow the tank to refill, adjusting as needed until the desired water level is reached.
If your toilet won’t flush, the most common fixes include plunging to clear clogs, replacing a worn flapper, adjusting or replacing the flush valve, and adjusting the tank water level. The water supply valve should also be fully open. For total loss of flushing, there may be an obstruction in the drain pipe or toilet trap requiring removal.
A San Souci toilet bowl not filling all the way is typically caused by an improperly adjusted or blocked fill valve. Make sure the float arm is set to the correct manufacturer fill height. Clean the fill valve of any obstructions. Also check for leaks around the flapper and proper venting to allow the bowl to fully drain and refill.
Final Words
I believe you are aware of all the issues with the KOHLER San Souci toilet. We have tried to cover the common issues that people face.
Try out our solutions alongside, and see which one worked for you the best.
Customer reviews on KOHLER San Souci toilets are scarce. So, do not rush before purchasing one. Analyze the pros and cons, and see if the product is worth spending your precious bucks on.
