How to Buy the Best Toilet for You
Choosing the best toilet can sound so simple, right? But is it? You have to remember that the toilet is one of the most important and frequently used plumbing fixture in your home. It is likewise one of the most common source of plumbing problems in average homes. So with this in mind, you cannot buy toilets simply with the color and size in mind. You have to consider the amount of water it uses including how efficient its flushes are. Read on to find out more.
Low-Flow Models
In general, a good toilet can conserve water while generating enough power to clean the contents of the bowl in a single flush. Of course, you have to find such a model with the size of your bathroom and the amount of budget you have in mind.
The early generation of low-flow toilets have become the federal standard since 1994. This toilets are designed to use only 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Unfortunately, these had design flaws that resulted in less than satisfactory flushes. This is because there was really no basic changes in the design, only a reduction in the amount of water used. Translation, you have a toilet with an inefficient flushing action.
The new generation of low-flow models is another story altogether. These are the product of significant design changes that have focused on larger trap-ways and bigger flush valves. The result is a much improved flushing action for the toilet and less clogging as well.
Buy Quality
High quality can mean a lot of money. Yes, it is true that you can get a toilet of $75 or less, but, will you be satisfied with its performance, let alone its water usage efficiency? You cannot expect cheap toilets to come with strong flushing action and efficient water usage. This means the possibility of increased water bills.
Consider the reality that you will be using the toilet every single day for the rest of your life. Wouldn’t you want to invest in something that is more durable and efficient? For about $100 to $500 you will be able to get an efficient gravity-type toilet; and for around $225 to $600 you can buy a pressure-assist one.
Know Where to Buy
If you want savings without sacrificing the efficiency, you need to know where to buy. This means going directly to plumbing supply houses or bathroom showrooms. There are many home centers that offer a specific section for toilets and can even give you insights on top-ranked models. Not to mention of course a wider variety of choices.
These choices will give you access to different unique features, but beware, some features will have an impact on the cost later on. You may think that unusual flushing mechanisms or custom seats may be cool, buy you have to realize that when the time comes to replace these, you may be looking at an additional cost of at least $100. This is provided replacement parts are still available, otherwise, you may have to replace the entire toilet!
Other Factors
If you are shopping for a replacement toilet, you have to look at other factors that will help you make a decision. Consider the following:
- Flush Ratings – the bottom line is that the flushing performance matters most for toilets so you have to find one with the best flushing action. What is the best flushing action? One that delivers the most power using less water as possible.
- Dual-Flush – this technology gives you the option to use 0.8 gpf or 1.6 gpf per flushing. The 0.8 gpf is designed to flush away liquids, while the other is used for solid waste. This type of toilet allows you to save as much as 25% of your water usage. This feature can be found in both gravity and pressure assisted models. The cost can be anywhere from $150 to $300.
Now that you know how to buy the best toilet for your home, you need to consider that putting it in correctly is equally important.
To maximize the benefits of your new toilet and ensure that it lasts a long time without any problems or for toilet repair, call on a licensed professional plumbing contractor like Scott English Plumbing.