American Standard Reliant Two-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet

The American Standard Reliant positioning

The Reliant (4515.128) is American Standard's value-mid two-piece toilet — sitting between the entry-tier Mainstream ($150-$210) and the volume-mid Cadet 3 ($210-$290). At $220-$320, the Reliant occupies a transitional niche: WaterSense 1.28 GPF + Comfort Height + elongated bowl + standard 3-inch flush valve, but without the FloWise engineering refinement of the Cadet 3 or the EverClean glaze upgrade option.

The Reliant is the AmStd that ships in mid-tier tract-builder spec contracts where the developer wants AmStd brand confidence with WaterSense compliance but the Cadet 3 isn't quite in budget. For property managers running 100+ unit buildings, the $30-$50 savings per toilet over Cadet 3 adds up meaningfully across the development.

Where the Reliant sits in AmStd's two-piece hierarchy

The Reliant is positioned just below the Cadet 3 in price but with slightly weaker MaP performance — the Cadet 3's FloWise engineering is the meaningful upgrade. For most buyers, the $20-$50 premium for Cadet 3 over Reliant is justified by the stronger flush and the EverClean glaze upgrade option. The Reliant exists primarily for bulk tract-builder spec contracts where the price difference matters at scale.

The Reliant variant matrix

What's in the box

• Tank with pre-installed 3-inch Class 5 flush valve + Fluidmaster-pattern fill valve
• Bowl pre-drilled for 12" rough-in
• Tank-to-bowl gasket and brass bolts
• Chrome trip lever
• Wax ring NOT included
• SoftClose seat NOT included — universal Bemis 1500EC ($35) or AmStd standard seat ($45-$70)
• Installation manual

Install requirements and procedure

• Rough-in: 12 inches (standard).
• Weight: ~78 lbs total (tank ~30, bowl ~48). Single-person install comfortable.
• Standard two-piece install — same procedure as Mainstream or Cadet 3.
• Universal aftermarket parts — Korky 2032BP (3-inch flapper) and Fluidmaster 400A fill valve fit directly.

What owners report

• The Reliant works reliably for normal-use households. MaP 700g exceeds WaterSense 350g comfortably.
• The $20-$50 savings vs Cadet 3 is often less compelling at point of purchase than the spec sheet suggests — most retail shoppers end up choosing Cadet 3 for the FloWise engineering and EverClean upgrade option.
• Standard ceramic glaze shows hard-water spots in mineral-heavy regions — weekly bowl cleaning typical.
• Service is straightforward. Universal aftermarket Korky/Fluidmaster parts at every Home Depot. Flapper at 5-7 years; fill valve at 10-12.
• Service life: 20-25 years porcelain.
• The Reliant has been gradually replaced in current AmStd marketing by the Cadet 3 — most retail buyers don't see the Reliant as a distinct option vs Cadet 3.

The verdict — should you buy a Reliant?

Buy Reliant if:

• Tract-builder spec contract where bulk pricing matters
• Property manager spec'ing 50+ units where $20-$50 per toilet adds up
• Specific Reliant model is in stock at local Home Depot or supply house and the small price savings vs Cadet 3 is meaningful

Skip Reliant and choose Cadet 3 if:

• Single-unit residential purchase — Cadet 3 has stronger FloWise flush mechanism + EverClean upgrade option for $20-$50 more
• You want broader retail availability + better long-term resale recognition

Warranty

American Standard Reliant residential warranty: 1 year on tank trim, lifetime on porcelain.

Pricing reality (2026)

Reliant 4515.128 (White): $220-$280. Home Depot: $239-$279. Lowes: $219-$259. Build.com: $209-$249. Linen/Bone variants +$30-$60. Property-management bulk purchases discount to $179-$209 per unit through Ferguson trade accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will this fit my bathroom? Standard 12-inch rough-in fits most US homes built after 1970. Measure from the finished wall (not stud) to the center of the closet flange before ordering. For unusual rough-ins (10" or 14") or non-standard floor depths, verify dimensions against the product spec sheet before ordering.
• How long does installation take? Typical installation runs 1.5-2 hours for an experienced installer. Add 30-60 minutes if the closet flange needs replacement or repair, and 1-2 hours if the existing supply line stop valve needs to be replaced.
• Is the toilet seat included? Some configurations include a soft-close seat; others sell it separately for $20-$60. Check the SKU listing before purchase to confirm.
• How much will this save vs. my existing toilet? At 1.28 GPF, this two-piece toilet uses meaningfully less water than older designs. Replacing a pre-1992 3.5 GPF toilet typically saves $130-$180 per year in water utility costs, depending on local water rates and household flush volume — payback on the toilet purchase price within 2-4 years is realistic for most households.
• What's the realistic service life? Expect 12-15 years typical for the vitreous china body under normal residential use. Internal flush components (fill valve, flush valve, flapper) typically need replacement around year 7-10 — these are universal hardware-store parts costing $15-$45 total.
• Can I install this myself? Most experienced DIYers can complete installation in 1-2 hours with basic plumbing tools. Hire a licensed plumber if you're uncomfortable with closet flange work, supply line connections, or if your plumbing is older than 1980s and may need flange replacement.
• What's the return policy if it doesn't work for my space? Most retailers accept unused toilet returns within 30-90 days (Home Depot 90, Amazon 30, specialty plumbing 30). Installed toilets are NOT returnable — measure twice, install once.

Step-by-Step Installation Overview

1. Turn off the water supply at the toilet stop valve (the small valve behind/beside the toilet). Flush the tank to drain residual water, then sponge out any water remaining in the tank and bowl.
2. Disconnect the supply line from the bottom of the tank. Have a small bucket and towel ready for any drips.
3. Remove the old toilet: unscrew the two closet flange bolts at the base, rock the toilet gently side-to-side to break the wax ring seal, and lift it off the flange. Have a second person help with the lift — the bowl alone weighs 50-90 lbs.
4. Clean the closet flange thoroughly. Scrape off old wax residue with a putty knife. If the flange is cracked or below the finished floor surface, replace it before proceeding (flange replacement adds ~$25 in parts and 30-60 minutes of labor).
5. Install new closet flange bolts in the flange slots (most kits include these; verify before starting). Place the new wax ring on top of the flange (or on the bottom of the new bowl, depending on installer preference).
6. Set the new bowl over the flange, aligning the bolts through the bowl mounting holes. Press down firmly with even pressure to seat the wax ring. Don't twist or rock the bowl after seating — that breaks the seal.
7. Tighten the closet flange bolts alternately (a few turns on each side, then back to the other) until the bowl is firmly seated. Don't over-tighten — porcelain cracks from excessive bolt torque.
8. Place the tank-to-bowl gasket on the bowl. Set the tank on the bowl, aligning the mounting holes. Insert the tank bolts from inside the tank and tighten alternately until the tank is snug against the bowl (don't over-tighten).
9. Connect the supply line to the bottom of the tank. Turn on the water supply, let the tank fill, and test the flush. Check all connections for leaks.
10. Install the toilet seat (if not pre-installed) by inserting the seat bolts through the bowl mounting holes and tightening the nuts from underneath.
11. Final leak check: flush several times, run a tissue paper test around the base for any seepage, and verify the toilet sits firmly without rocking.

Tools you'll need: adjustable wrench, channel-lock pliers, putty knife, sponge, small bucket, towels, and a level. If you don't have these, expect to spend $40-$60 at a hardware store on a basic install kit.

10-Year Total Cost of Ownership Estimate

• Initial purchase + installation supplies: typical $15-$30 in wax ring, supply line, and flange bolts on top of the toilet price.
• Plumber labor (if not DIY): $150-$350 for standard floor-mount install, $250-$500 for smart toilet, $1,000-$2,000 for wall-hung.
• Replacement seat at year 6-8: $25-$50 for a Bemis or branded replacement.
• Replacement flush internals at year 7-10: $15-$45 total in parts (fill valve, flapper) — universal Fluidmaster/Korky parts at any hardware store.
• Water utility cost (1.28 GPF average, 5,000 flushes/year): $400-$600 over 10 years depending on local water rates.
• Annual savings vs. replacing a pre-1992 3.5 GPF toilet: $130-$180/year ≈ $1,300-$1,800 over 10 years — frequently exceeding the entire toilet purchase + install cost.

Warranty Registration and Care Best Practices

Register this two-piece toilet with American Standard within 30 days of purchase to ensure warranty coverage — most brands require online registration plus original receipt for any future warranty claim. Save the receipt as a PDF and email it to yourself for cloud backup; physical receipts fade and get lost. Photograph the model number sticker (typically inside the tank or under the tank lid for one-piece designs) as part of your warranty documentation.

Common warranty exclusions across all toilet brands:

• Impact damage from dropped tools or items falling on the bowl/tank lid
• Freeze damage in unheated vacation properties or unheated bathrooms in cold climates
• Installation damage from over-tightened bolts (cracks at the flange mount), uneven floors causing rocking, or missing wax ring seals
• Damage from in-tank cleaning tablets (these chemically degrade rubber flapper seals and stain the porcelain)
• Hard water staining (cosmetic, not structural)
• Cosmetic scratches from abrasive cleaning products (especially on matte finishes)

Routine cleaning best practices: Use standard porcelain bowl cleaners (Lysol, Clorox, Soft Scrub with Bleach) for the bowl interior. Microfiber + mild dish soap for the exterior, lid, and seat. Avoid steel wool, abrasive scrub pads, and powdered scrub cleaners (Comet, Ajax) that scratch the glaze over years of use. For hard water mineral deposits, apply CLR or Lime-Away with a 10-15 minute dwell time, scrub with a bowl brush, then flush — repeat for stubborn buildup. Wipe water spots on the rim and seat hinge promptly to prevent permanent mineral etching, especially on matte black or matte gray finishes where mineral staining shows visibly faster than on glossy white.

If a warranty claim becomes necessary, contact American Standard customer service with: photographs of the defect from multiple angles, the model and serial number, your purchase receipt, and the installation date. Expect 5-10 business days for initial review and 15-30 days for claim resolution if approved.