How To Select the Right Toilet

Sometimes it’s better to replace an older toilet rather than repair it. Yes, that decision is likely to cost more, but over time, the savings on your water bill and other lifestyle improvements could quickly justify the more expensive option. There are several things to consider when thinking about purchasing a new toilet.

• Bowl shape choices come in traditional round or elongated (egg-shaped), while the standard bowl height is 15 inches from the floor to the flood rim. Many toilet manufacturers also offer the comfort height, which is 17 inches off the floor. The elongated comfort-height bowl, which is standard on all handicap (ADA) toilets, has also become a more popular option for residential homes because customers find it more comfortable and easier to use.

• Most toilet manufacturers score the toilet’s performance based on the Maximum Performance scale testing report. The maximum amount tested is 1000 grams, which is more than two pounds of solid waste. Good-performing toilets remove an adequate 100 - 375 grams of bulk waste. Better toilets remove an above-average 400 - 775 grams. Best performance is achieved with toilets that flush 800 - 1000 grams of bulk waste.

• Most new toilets have a fully glazed smooth trapway that’s two or more inches in diameter. Older toilets have a trapway that’s rough (the same surface as the inside of the toilet tank) and smaller than two inches. Older toilets don’t flush waste away as easily, and they also waste more water.

• The other factor to seriously consider is water consumption. Most new toilets are 1.6gpf (gallons per flush) or 1.28gpf. You can also get a dual-flush toilet that uses 1.6gpf for solid waste but only 1gpf for liquid waste.

In the average home, the toilet is responsible for 26% of all indoor water usage. Installing a more efficient model can take a big bite out of your water bill while also helping to conserve water. Replacing a toilet is a job best left for a plumbing professional. The new toilet should be properly connected to the drainage system to prevent leaks and ensure proper operation. N S

by Scott Magness Scott‘s Fireplace Products