After 61 years of installing plumbing fixtures across Wausau and Marathon County, I have strong opinions about which brands hold up in Wisconsin homes. Here's my honest comparison — not sponsored content, just what I've seen last and what fails in the field.
Kohler is my recommendation when homeowners want the best and have the budget for it. Their toilets are reliable, their faucets have excellent ceramic cartridges, and their shower systems are beautifully designed. The Kohler Cimarron toilet is one of the best-flushing in the market. Expect to pay 30–50% more than mid-range competitors. Worth it for primary bathrooms you're remodeling to keep for 20+ years.
Moen is what I install most often — and recommend most often. Excellent quality at a reasonable price, and they back their products with a lifetime limited warranty. Their PosiTemp and Posi-Temp shower valves are workhorses I've been installing for decades without issues. For most Wausau homeowners, Moen hits the sweet spot of quality and cost.
American Standard makes reliable products that are widely available at local supply houses — important for future repairs. Their Champion 4 toilet has one of the best flush performances in its price class. I install American Standard frequently in rentals, second bathrooms, and where budget matters. Not as refined as Kohler, not as widely praised as Moen, but dependable.
Delta's Touch2O technology (touch-activated faucets) and their MagnaTite docking for pull-down kitchen faucets are genuinely innovative. Their faucets use ceramic disc cartridges that rarely need service. For kitchen faucets specifically, Delta competes directly with Moen at comparable quality. I specify Delta frequently for kitchen remodels.
For water heaters, Rheem is my standard recommendation. Their gas and electric tank water heaters have excellent reliability records, good warranty support, and are competitively priced. Rheem's Professional series is what I install in most Wausau homes. For tankless, I also install Rinnai depending on the application.
My recommendation: use Moen or Delta for most faucets; Kohler for a primary bathroom renovation where you want premium fixtures; American Standard or Mansfield for a second bathroom or rental; Rheem for water heaters. Come in with a budget and I'll recommend what makes sense for your specific situation.
61 years serving Wausau and Marathon County. Free estimates. Master Plumber on every job.
Yes. Genrich Plumbing installs American Standard, Delta, Kohler, Mansfield, Moen, Rheem, and Sterling. We can also source and install other brands on request. We'll recommend what makes sense for your budget and application — we have no brand sponsorships.
In our experience, Kohler and TOTO are at the top for premium reliability. American Standard's Champion 4 and Mansfield's Alto are excellent in the mid-range. We no longer recommend some off-brand low-cost toilets that have poor flush performance and high repair rates.
Not always. Some brands sell consumer-grade versions at big box stores and professional-grade versions through supply houses. The professional versions often have better cartridges, seals, and warranties. Genrich Plumbing sources fixtures through professional supply channels.
Bob answers personally. Expect a same-day callback Mon–Fri 7 AM–7 PM.