by Dan |
Last Updated: March 12, 2023 Table of Contents
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The Kohler Wellworth K-3987-0 is a midrange toilet that is slowly becoming the envy of the toilet industry.
It is an EPA certified commode marketed as a pretty good flusher thanks to its Siphonic flush action.
However, as good as it is, this 2 piece toilet has its share of negative reviews too. Some buyers claim that it’s not as comfortable as it claims to be while others say that its flushing performance is somewhat wanting?
What should you know about this toilet? Is it the perfect pick for your bathroom or should you steer clear of it?
These are some of the questions that we’ll be answering in this K-3987-0 Kohler Wellworth toilet review.
What Is The K-3987-0 Kohler Wellworth Toilet?
The K-3987-0 Wellworth is a round front bowl toilet designed to fit perfectly where most elongated models won’t. This model comes in three different colors each with a different price tag. Black (K-3987-7) is the cheapest of the Kohler line and might be a good option for a homeowner who dares to be different.
Almond (K-3987-47) and White (K-3987-0) are considerably pricier but match with your bathroom décor easily. They are also more elegant, in my opinion.
Class Five Technology Tackles Extraordinary Bulk Waste
From a performance standpoint, the K-3987-0 uses Kohler’s Class Five technology that is known to tackle extraordinary bulk waste. It also employs siphonic flushing action to boost its performance and to ease cleaning.
Regarding competition, the K-3987-0 Kohler round toilet is arguably an excellent match to the most coveted American Standard 2889216.020 H2Option. The latter is a Dual Flush commode with superior water efficiency ratings. It’s also a good flusher and also installs and cleans fast.
One reason why I might not recommend the American Standard though is that it’s bombarded with lots of leaking and durability issues.
What’s In The Package?
- One toilet (NO seat)
- Installation manual
Kohler Wellworth Toilet: Features And Benefits
Vitreous China Coating
Why Does This Matter?
Vitreous China is a unique type of glaze that makes porcelain products more durable, shinier, and denser. But the key reasons why you might appreciate this coating are that it makes the fixture spills and stains resistant and more sanitary.
Flushing Performance
While the construction materials have a significant contribution to a toilet’s quality, you’ll agree with me that what matters most is the flushing performance.
The K-3987-0 uses Kohler’s Class Five flushing technology – a mechanism known to save up to 20% water without sacrificing performance.
Class Five flushing technology utilizes a newly designed Canister Flush valve measuring 3-1/4 inches – almost 2.5 times larger than most traditional flush valves and also slightly larger than Toto’s.
This innovative feature delivers a stable and strong 360 degree water flow that is powerful enough for bulk flushing performance. This technology is further boosted by a strong siphonic action and a 2-1/8’’ glazed trapway that make waste removal even easier and faster.
The benefit here is that the solid waste is eliminated in a single flush and the bowl is ‘scrubbed’ clean after every flushing action.
Consumption / Dual Flush System
If you are more into protecting the environment and conserving water, this toilet’s dual flush system might help you out to some degree.
The Kohler K-3987-0 uses a single lever that offers a partial or a full flush action each consuming 1.1 GPF and 1.6 GPF respectively.
This is a sure way of minimizing your home’s water consumption. It also reduces the amount of money spent on water bills.
On the same note, you might also like that this commode’s lever is located on the side. Though somewhat traditional, this design leaves the top free and might come in handy in a compact bathroom with no enough storage for sanitary supplies.
Ease Of Cleaning
As I told you before, two piece toilets demand some effort when cleaning because of the seam (where the tank and the bowl attach) that tends to accumulate dirt with time.
If you care so much about your bathroom’s hygiene, you might be forced to disassemble the entire toilet regularly which can be somewhat daunting.
The seam aside, the K-3987-0 combines several aspects to make cleaning a little bit easier for you. First, the 360-degree water flush offers a strong performance that virtually scrubs the bowl besides pushing the waste down.
Second, the bowl’s interiors have vitreous china coating that prevents debris from sticking to the sides. This feature means that the bowl remains clean for long. It also makes the toilet less susceptible to stains and streaks.
This toilet’s siphon action and a 2-1/8-inch glazed trapway also promote the ease of waste elimination. All these features ensure that you don’t always have to scrub the bowl after a long call.
Installation And Compatibility
I have already told you that this is a round-front toilet. This might be a good option if you have a compact bathroom where an elongated model won’t fit. On installation, this toilet features the DryLock Fast Install System that offers a fast, no-leak installation process.
All you’ll need is a socket wrench.
Kohler Wellworth K-3987-0 Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s water-saving
- Round-bowl design makes it compact
- Straightforward installation
- Vitreous china coating prevents debris from sticking
- Dual-flush mechanism saves water
Cons
- Standard height is not ideal for the tall and the elderly
Who Is This Toilet Best For?
As a round bowl toilet, the Kohler K-3987-0 might be a good option for a homeowner with a small bathroom that won’t accommodate an elongated bowl toilet. It’s not restricted to this market though. You could also get it if you want to decongest your large bathroom.
Good Option For A Small Bathroom
Its low water consumption also makes it an ideal choice for people who want to reduce their water bills. On this note, however, the K-3987-0 might not be available legally in States that require modern toilets to use utmost 1.28 gallons per flush.
Low Height Toilet
Its standard height coupled with the round bowl further limits it to short people and kids. Tall users and the elderly or anyone else who has trouble getting on and off a low height toilet may not like this one. In this case, the Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa might suffice.
The Santa Rosa uses 1.28 GPF making it WaterSense-certified and also meets ADA’s height requirements. However, its single piece design makes it a little bit pricier than the K-3987-0.
Tips For Buying A Toilet That You’ll Love To Use
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The Classic (2 Piece Toilet) Or The Modern (One Piece Toilet)
The 2 piece toilets are the most common. Among other benefits, these models blend in quite easily with any type of bathroom. They are also easy to carry and also more affordable.
Unfortunately, the seam between the two parts usually accumulates dirt easily and may harbor germs. This might put you off if cleanliness matters to you more than anything else.
The one piece toilets are sleek and have a more modern design. They are slightly expensive than the classic commodes. However, they are also easy to install and to keep clean.
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Throne Height: Standard Or Comfort Height
Most conventional toilets are 15-16 inches high. This is the standard height that most users including kids can use without much hassle. However, if you have trouble going down and standing from a standard height throne, you might want to consider a ‘comfort-height’ model.
These toilets can be as tall as 19 inches. They are ideal for your aging parents and users who experience back, knee, and hip bone pains when getting on and off the toilet.
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You might want to go with a dual flush toilet if you are after saving water. Toilets with this option might be a little pricier though. So, be prepared to fork out more on these.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a water efficient and compact toilet for a small bathroom, the K-3987-0 sounds like a good option. What I like about this fixture is that it does not sacrifice performance with size. The Classic Five Flushing technology makes it a really good flusher and its dual-flushing system coupled with its low-water consumption will help in slashing your water bills.