Tips for Picking Out Your Next Toilet

Buying a new toilet may seem simple at first, but there are many options to consider. Educating yourself on different styles and features can help you make a confident decision. When you talk to your Denver plumber, you’ll be prepared to choose the best toilet for your plumbing project.

Types of Toilet

Choosing the right toilet for your home means looking at different styles and features. There are several types of toilets you can choose from, each meeting different needs and preferences.

Toilets mainly come in two styles: one-piece and two-piece. One-piece toilets have the tank and bowl attached, making them easy to clean and giving a modern look. Two-piece toilets have separate tanks and bowls. They are usually less expensive and have a classic appearance.

There are also different flushing systems. The most common is the gravity-feed system which uses the weight of the water to flush the toilet. More advanced options include pressure-assisted systems, which use air pressure to help flush, and dual-flush toilets. Dual-flush toilets let you choose a smaller or larger flush depending on the waste, which saves water and is better for the environment.

Some toilets are taller, around 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the seat. These are called comfort height toilets and are easier to use for many people, especially those with mobility issues.

Newer toilets often have additional features for comfort and cleanliness. These can include touchless flushing, where you wave your hand to flush, seats that resist bacteria, and even heated seats.

When picking a toilet, consider how much water it uses, how powerful the flush is, and what extra features it has. This helps ensure you find the best toilet for your needs.

Assessing Bowl Shape

When picking a toilet, the shape of the bowl is a key factor to consider. You can choose between a rounded bowl or an elongated bowl. Each type has its own benefits and fits different bathroom sizes and styles.

Rounded bowls are great for small bathrooms because they take up less space. They are often seen in older or traditional bathroom designs. If your bathroom is tight on space, a rounded bowl might be the best choice.

Elongated bowls are longer and provide more room to sit, making them more comfortable for adults. They are common in modern bathrooms and add to the overall look while being practical. However, they stick out about two inches more than rounded bowls, so they might not work well in small bathrooms.

The effectiveness of the toilet also depends on its construction, including the type of flush it has. Both gravity-fed and pressure-assisted flush systems can work with either bowl shape, but their performance might vary slightly depending on the bowl shape.

Toilets can also come with features like higher seats, which are about 17-19 inches off the ground. These are called comfort-height seats and make it easier to sit down and stand up. You can find toilets with these seats in both rounded and elongated shapes, making them a good option for accessibility.

Understanding Dimensions

Measuring the size of a toilet before buying it is important to make sure it fits well in your bathroom and matches the pipes already there. The key measurement is the rough-in size, which is how far the center of the toilet’s drainpipe is from the wall. This helps ensure the new toilet connects correctly to your bathroom’s plumbing.

Toilets have different shapes. Round bowls save space and are good for smaller bathrooms. Elongated bowls give more room to sit and have a modern look but take up more space. The height of the toilet and how wide it is are also important to think about, especially if your bathroom is small. Comfort-height toilets are taller, about 17-19 inches from the floor to the seat, making them easier to use for people who have trouble standing up or sitting down.

It is important to choose the right toilet to fit your bathroom space, match your plumbing, and meet your needs in terms of ease of use and water efficiency.

Types of Toilet Construction

To choose the right toilet, it is important to know about different types of toilets. Each type has its own design and features that can make your bathroom look good and work better.

• Two-Piece Toilets: These toilets have two parts: the tank and the bowl. They are usually less expensive and easier to install because you can move each piece separately.
• One-Piece Toilets: These toilets are made in one piece with the tank and bowl connected. They look cleaner because there are no gaps between the tank and the bowl. They are also easier to clean and often save water with a dual-flush feature.
• Wall-Mounted Toilets: These toilets are attached to the wall, which means they don’t touch the floor. This makes the floor easier to clean. The tank is hidden inside the wall, which looks neat and modern but requires strong wall support.

Each type of toilet offers different benefits for installation, upkeep, and style. It is good to consider these things along with features like dual flush, which helps save water, and pressure-assisted flush, which uses air pressure to flush more effectively.

Choosing Flush Styles

When choosing a toilet, it is important to think about the type of flush it uses. This affects how much water it uses and how loud it is when you flush. There are three main types of flush systems: gravity-feed, pressure-assisted, and dual-flush.

• Gravity-Feed Flushing: This type uses the weight of water to flush the toilet. It is usually quieter than other types and is the most common in homes.
• Pressure-Assisted Flushing: This type uses air pressure to help flush water more forcefully, which means it uses less water per flush. However, it is louder than gravity-feed systems.
• Dual-Flush Toilets: These toilets have two buttons or a lever that lets you choose a full or a half flush. A half flush uses less water and is meant for liquid waste, while a full flush is for solids. This type is good for saving water and is found in many modern bathrooms.

Understanding these types can help you choose the right toilet for your home, considering both water usage and noise preference.

Toilet Installation Requirements

Before installing a new toilet, make sure it fits with your current bathroom’s plumbing and space. A key thing to check is the rough-in measurement or the space from the wall to the middle of the drainpipe. This helps you know if the new toilet can be installed without big changes to your plumbing.

Also, look at the width of the toilet. This is especially important in small bathrooms. Consider toilets with comfort-height seats as they are easier to use but need enough room around them.

When picking a toilet, think about whether it comes in one or two pieces and any special features like touchless flushing or surfaces that resist germs, as these can affect the installation and how you use the toilet.

Can I Install a Toilet on My Own or Should I Hire a Professional?

When you need to put in a new toilet, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional. The choice depends on how comfortable you are with doing basic plumbing work and how complex the toilet installation might be.

• Check that the new toilet will fit in the bathroom and connect correctly to the existing plumbing. If it doesn’t fit properly, it might cause problems later.
• New toilets often have special designs and flushing systems. You need to be good with tools and understand how to put things together correctly.
• Some toilets come with special features like different flushing options, no-touch flush, or a built-in bidet. These might need extra plumbing or electrical work.

If these tasks sound difficult, it might be better to hire a professional. Professionals know how to deal with different types of toilets and meet the local rules for building and plumbing. They can also handle any unexpected problems that might come up, like needing to change the plumbing or make more space in the bathroom for the toilet to fit and work well.

Benefits of Professional Plumbing Services

When you hire professional plumbing services, you get expert help with installing and maintaining your plumbing. This is important to make sure everything works right and meets standards. When choosing a toilet, for example, you need to consider its size, type, and flushing style. A plumber knows all about these details and can help you pick the best toilet for your bathroom.

A plumber can suggest the right shape for your toilet bowl. If your bathroom is small, a round bowl might be best. If you want more comfort, an elongated bowl is a good choice.

A plumber can make sure whichever type you choose looks good and works well in your bathroom. They can also set up any kind of flush you want, like a push button or a no-touch flush, to make sure it is easy to use and keeps things clean.

Advantages of Wall-Mounted Toilets

Wall-mounted toilets are great for small bathrooms because they don’t take up much space. These toilets hang on the wall, which makes the floor easier to clean. They also have a hidden tank, giving the bathroom a clean and modern look.

• Saves Space: Because the toilet is attached to the wall, it doesn’t use floor space. This is really helpful in small bathrooms.
• Easy to Clean: These toilets are easier to clean because they have fewer hard-to-reach spots. Some also have special coatings that make them even easier to keep clean.
• Modern Features: Many wall-mounted toilets have features like seats that close slowly to prevent slamming.

Choosing a wall-mounted toilet can make your bathroom look better and be easier to use and clean.

Deciding on Toilet Seat Height

When choosing a toilet seat height, think about comfort and how easy it is for users to move around. The standard toilet seat is about 14 to 15 inches high from the floor. This height works well for most homes. But, if someone needs a taller seat, maybe because of age or mobility issues, there are higher toilets available. These are called comfort-height toilets or chair-height toilets. They are about 17 to 19 inches tall, like a regular chair, making it easier to sit down and stand up.

These taller toilets are getting more popular in new houses and when people remodel their bathrooms because they help a broader range of people, including older adults or those with disabilities. The higher seat helps users use the toilet more comfortably, supports good posture, and puts less stress on the knees and back.

When picking a new toilet, think about how the height might help or hinder its use. Also, look at other features like the shape of the bowl, the design, and what the toilet is made of. These factors can make the bathroom more user-friendly for everyone.

Lever Vs. Button Vs. Sensor Flushing

Choosing the right flushing system for your toilet—lever, button, or sensor—can make a big difference in how easy and clean it is to use. Each type has its own benefits and fits different needs and bathroom styles.

• Lever Flushing: This is the classic type where you use a handle on the side of the toilet tank. It is easy for most people to use. Many toilets with levers let you pick how much water to use depending on whether the waste is solid or liquid. This helps save water.
• Button Flushing: This modern style often has two buttons on top of the tank for different amounts of flushing. It’s good for saving water. Buttons are also easier for kids to use, and they make the toilet look more modern.
• Sensor Flushing: This type is the cleanest because you don’t have to touch anything to flush. It uses sensors to do the job for you. Toilets with sensors often have special coatings to stop germs and features that make them easier to clean.

Each system supports different needs, from saving water with dual-flush options to staying clean with no-touch flushing. The best choice depends on what you need and how your bathroom is set up.

Luxury Features Worth Considering

When you are choosing a toilet, think about some extra features that can make your bathroom more comfortable and efficient. Heated toilet seats are great for keeping you warm in the winter. A bidet attachment can clean you better than toilet paper and give you a spa-like feeling at home.

Toilets can also have special coatings that stop bacteria from growing on the surfaces you touch often, like the seat and handle. This helps keep your bathroom cleaner and healthier. Some toilets have a nonstick coating inside the bowl, so waste doesn’t stick as much. This means you don’t have to clean as often or use strong cleaners.

Toilets with lights built into them make it easier and safer to use the bathroom at night. Seats that close slowly on their own prevent the loud noise of slamming and last longer. Dual-flush toilets let you choose how much water to use depending on the waste, which saves water and is better for the environment.

Wall-mounted toilets look nice and save space. They make cleaning the floor easier since there’s no base on the ground. Adding these features can make your bathroom better and more modern.

WaterSense Certification Explained

WaterSense certification is a special label given to toilets that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rules for saving water and working well. Toilets with this label use only 1.28 gallons of water per flush, which is less than the usual 1.6 gallons.

When you choose a WaterSense-certified toilet, you get several advantages:

• Water Efficiency: These toilets use less water thanks to new technology like two-way flush options or systems that use gravity or pressure to flush.
• Cost Savings: Using less water means you pay less for water. This can help you save money over time.
• Environmental Impact: By using less water, these toilets help save this precious resource, which is good for our planet.

These toilets also have features like higher seats, which make them easier to use for everyone. They are designed to stay clean with special coatings that stop germs and materials that keep things from sticking. Some models also include a bidet function, adding extra comfort and cleanliness without harming the environment.

Importance of Soft-Closing Seats

Soft-closing toilet seats are a big improvement in bathroom technology. They help reduce noise and protect the toilet. These seats have a special hinge that stops them from slamming shut. This helps the toilet last longer and keeps it looking good. Soft-closing seats are very useful in homes with many people. They help keep the bathroom quiet by stopping the loud noise of a toilet seat slamming down. This is also safer because it stops fingers from getting caught, which is especially important in families with small children.

These toilet seats also look good in modern bathrooms. They are sleek and fit well with today’s bathroom styles. Many soft-closing seats have an antimicrobial coating. This special coating stops bacteria and mold from growing, which makes the bathroom cleaner and healthier.

Choosing soft-closing seats for your bathroom is a smart decision. They offer comfort, and safety, and help keep the bathroom clean and quiet.

Selecting a Bidet Feature

Adding a bidet feature to your toilet is a great way to stay clean and help the environment. A bidet toilet seat uses water instead of toilet paper, which cuts down on waste. Today’s bidet seats come with extra water jets for better cleaning, settings you can adjust for comfort, and temperature control to suit your preference.

Here are some important factors to think about when choosing a toilet with a bidet feature:

• Water Efficiency: Choose a bidet seat that cleans effectively but uses less water. This helps save water and fits well with eco-friendly bathroom designs.
• Comfort Height Toilets: A toilet with a taller seat can be easier to use, especially for people with different mobility needs. Adding a bidet feature to these toilets makes them even more user-friendly.
• Enhanced Hygiene Options: Look for bidet seats that have special coatings to stop microbes and are easy to keep clean. This means you won’t need to use as many cleaning chemicals.

Other features like seats that close slowly and lights inside the toilet make them more convenient to use and improve your bathroom experience. Choosing the right bidet feature can make your daily routine more comfortable and cleaner.

Environmental Impact of Your Toilet

The type of toilet you choose has a big effect on both water and energy use in your home. It’s important to pick a toilet that uses resources wisely to help the environment. Toilets are a main source of water use in homes, making up about 30% of the water used inside a house. Toilets that use less water, like those that use only 1.6 gallons per flush or less, can help cut down this amount. There are different kinds of toilets that use less water effectively.

For instance, dual-flush technology let you choose how much water to use depending on whether the waste is liquid or solid, which saves more water. Some toilets have special surfaces that stay clean longer, which means you don’t need to clean them as often, saving more water.

Choosing the right toilet is important for using less water and helping the environment.

Toilet Maintenance and Cleaning Tips

Keeping your toilet in good shape and cleaning it well are important for making sure it works well and lasts a long time. The type and shape of your toilet can affect how you take care of it. For example, toilets that have smooth sides or are made in one piece are usually easier to keep up than older styles.

1. Use the Right Cleaners: Pick mild cleaners made just for toilets to avoid harming the ceramic or the parts inside. Stay away from strong chemicals that could ruin the seals and gaskets in the flushing system.
2. Clean Regularly: Keep a routine for cleaning your toilet to keep it looking and working its best. Scrub the bowl every week and check the flush system once a month to make sure it is working right.
3. Keep it Hygienic and Working Well: If your toilet has special features like antimicrobial coatings or surfaces that prevent sticking, follow the maker’s directions to care for these features. Also, check that the water level and flush settings are right for good performance.

Following these tips will help your toilet work better and last longer, keeping it a dependable and clean part of your home.