Need a New Toilet? What Type Should You Choose?

ToiletWith today’s growing concerns regarding saving water and cutting down on utility costs, more people are directing their attention to their toilet. The toilet accounts for as much as 30% of total household water usage and as such, should be a primary concern to cut down on your water wastage. However, the toilet isn’t exactly most people area of expertise when it comes to choosing the right design for your needs. Here is a breakdown of the most common types of toilets, and their functions.

1. Gravity – The vast majority, as much as 99% of household toilets are of the gravity type. Since the inception of 6-litre toilets, gravity type flushing action has been vastly improved. A gravity bowl works on siphoning action, pulling water from the bowl and with today’s design technology, 6-litre gravity toilets actually outperform old large volume toilets.
2. Vacuum-assist – Unlike gravity toilets, vacuum-assist toilets have a mechanism that creates a small vacuum in the trap to aid in the flushing water from the bowl. The fill valve and early closing flappers are identical to gravity type toilets.
3. Pressure-assist – This toilet design doesn’t use a traditional flapper mechanism, instead there is a vessel inside the toilet tank that traps air. The tank fills with water and uses the pressure from the water line to compress the trapped air. This compressed air is released and instead of a siphoning action sucking water from the bowl, you have a pressurized “push”, clearing waste from the bowl. These toilets are much louder than gravity type and vacuum-assist toilets, they are also more expensive and can usually be found in commercial buildings and institutions. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,

Related posts

How to Replace Your Toilet

ToiletOne thing is for sure, the level of difficulty in replacing your home’s toilet does not correspond with its importance! Removing your current commode and installing a new one is a rather simple task that shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Many people don’t think about their toilet when they are redesigning a bathroom, au contraire! The toilet, as the centerpiece of any bathroom, should be where your design starts. Pick out one that will do its duty as the star player in your new bathroom, and follow these simple steps for its installation.

1. Most toilets have a separate tank that mounts on top of the bowl, so these instructions are really geared towards that kind of toilet’s installation. Whatever toilet you choose, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions first and foremost.

2. Before you buy, be sure to measure the distance between the back bolts that hold down your toilet and the wall behind it. Most toilets should have about a 12, distance.

3. Turn off your old toilet’s water supply, flushing afterward to let all the water out of its tank. Hold the trip-lever down as you flush to be sure that you get all the water out. Use a sponge to completely dry the tank and bowl. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,

Related posts

Bathroom Toilet Guide

ToiletWhen choosing a toilet for your bathroom, there are factors that you must consider to achieve the design, theme, and functionality that you want. The size, height and purpose should take part in your selection. What most people would look for initially is the appearance of the toilet. Unfortunately, you should not rely on it alone. There are other aspects that should come into play so that your toilet fits you and your family’s needs.

Even if there’s a wide array of toilet selection in the market it is still easy to narrow down the choices. By determining the distance between your bathroom’s wall and the middle of the drain meant for your toilet, you can easily pinpoint the right toilet for your bathroom. Upon renovating your bathroom you have utilized the current rough-in distance that is in another measurement, you can narrow down your selection some more.

An elongated toilet is a popular choice among many homeowners but when your bathroom’s space is limited, a round bowl is more appropriate for it. A round bowl can also save you some cost since it is cheaper than the elongated version. The height of your toilet should also be comfortable enough for anybody who is going to use it. There are already plenty of toilet heights other than the traditional 14-inch fixture available in the market today. Taller toilets are essential components in general design, which gives your bathroom accessibility to all sorts of users, because sitting down and standing up from a taller toilet is much more comfortable.

When it comes to style, there are also plenty of toilet designs to choose from. If you want a cheaper version, a two-piece toilet that features a tank that sits on top of the bowl would be a better choice. A one-piece toilet, with the tank and bowl attached together, is more expensive but the seamless design makes it easier to remove the dirt and Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,

Related posts