Whether you’re a toilet novice or toilet aficionado, it’s important to be well-informed before making your purchase. The toilet is one of the most frequently used appliances in any household, and its average life expectancy is around 10 to 15 years.
Choosing The Best Toilet For Your Home
You want to make sure whatever model you choose is not only efficient for your family but will also last long without requiring many repairs. Constant clogs and leaks can increase your water bill and cause more household malfunctions. Plus toilet installation is no easy feat, and the toilet you choose can make that process easier—or more difficult.
With over 17 years of master plumbing experience, I’m often asked what goes into choosing a toilet. If you have never installed a toilet before, then here are some things to consider when making your selection.
Water Conservation
Again, leaks and cracks on your toilet can cause your water bill to rise. So it’s crucial to choose a durable model that is designed to conserve water.
Any toilet that was manufactured prior to 1980 has an average of 5-8 gallons per flush or GPF. Models made after 1992 lowered their GPF to 1.6.
Today, some manufacturers have gotten their toilets as low as 1.28 GPF—which can save an average annual rate of 27,000 gallons of water.
Different Toilet Flush Valves
The toilet flush valve is the part of your toilet that controls water flow—but did you know that there are different kinds of valves? You can find anywhere from 2-inch to 4-inch flush valves, and needless to say, the larger the valve, the more powerful the flush.
Different Size Trapways
A toilet trapway is the hole in your toilet where waste exits the bowl and enters the drain. There are different sizes of toilet traps, and they vary, but the standard size is between 2-3 inches.
When you choose a large trapway toilet, your toilet will have a stronger flush and fewer risks of clogging.
Pressure Assisted & Gravity-Flow
The toilet you choose will either use pressure-assisted flushing or gravity flow flushing, and it’s important to know the difference, which lies in the tank.
Pressure-assisted toilets use a second tank in the toilet’s main tank to store water. The toilet uses small amounts of pressure from this tank and pressurized air to propel waste away. Gravity-flow tanks use a gravity-fed toilet system to push waste down and out.
Pressure-assisted toilets are more commonly found because they will flush faster, flush more waste and use less water. Gravity-flow toilets use a lot of the toilet’s tank space, which may not be desirable. However, gravity-flow toilets are often more affordable than pressure-assisted.
“The toilet is one of the most frequently used appliances in any household, and its average life expectancy is around 10 to 15 years”
Comfort Height VS Standard Height
Toilet height is important for overall comfort. Standard toilet height runs about 15 inches tall from floor to seat, where comfort toilet heights can be up to 17-19 inches. Comfort height toilets, also known as ADA-compliant toilets, were designed to be the same height as a standard chair.
Elongated Vs. Round Front
Another factor that determines the comfort of a toilet is the bowl size, which can be either elongated or round front.
Round front toilet seats are typically 16 1/2 inches wide from a wall to the toilet seat. Elongated toilet seats can be as large as 18 1/2 inches. While everyone has their preference, the majority of people find elongated toilets to be more comfortable. However, they’re larger, while round front bowls are smaller and more affordable.
Two-Piece VS One-Piece
The final factor you’ll want to consider before purchasing a toilet is whether or not it’s a one or two-piece.
Two-piece toilets are the most common styles you’ll find on the market. They weigh between 70-100 pounds, making them easier to move and install. They’re also more affordable to purchase and maintain over time. However, due to the gaps between the two pieces (the bowl and the tank) being tough to clean, a lot of dirt can accumulate over time. This gap can also result in occasional leaks.
One-piece toilets are heavier, between 90-120 pounds, and thus heavier to move and install. But because there’s no gap between pieces, cleaning is more accessible, and less dirt can accumulate over time. There’s also no risk of leaks because the toilet is all one piece.
How To Choose Your Next Toilet
Whether you’re purchasing a toilet for your home or for a commercial enterprise, you should consider all of the above factors when deciding on a toilet to purchase.
If your in need of professional help Cooper Plumbing is only a phone call away 832-441-9683.
