Are You Looking to Replace Your Toilet? Here’s How to Pick the Right Model for You
Toilet, commode, latrine – whatever you call it, your bathroom toilet is one of the most important items in your home. There’s a lot to consider when you’re replacing an older toilet or installing a brand-new one, including its type, features, and water usage.
Fortunately, the team at Service Champions is here to help you pick the perfect model for your needs.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Toilet
If you’re like most people, you don’t give your toilet a lot of thought. Though it’s an important part of your home, talking about toilet problems the newest toilet designs is not exactly dinner conversation.
So, how do you know when it’s time to upgrade your toilet to something new? Here are some signs:
- It’s older than 25 years
- It has a visible crack
- There’s water around the bowl, which may be a leak
- It never stops running
- It doesn’t flush consistently
- It clogs all the time
- The water bill is high for no reason
- It requires a lot of repairs
While toilets have issues from time to time, a toilet that’s reaching the end of its lifespan will encounter problems like these. In many cases, it’s better to replace it than continue to pay for plumbing repairs.
Now, let’s look at what you should consider for your new toilet:
Your Toilet Size
Before you can check out new toilet options, you need to measure your toilet area and make sure your new toilet can fit.
The rough-in space is what you’re going for, which is the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor. This is usually about 12 inches, but you may see 10 or even 14 inches.
When you’re shopping for new toilets, be sure to compare the measurements of your current toilet to the specs on your new toilet. The measurement should be the same or smaller to ensure it will fit.
Choose Your Toilet Design
You have plenty of options for your toilet design, including:
Two-Piece Toilets
Most toilets are two pieces, which means the tank is bolted to the bowl. They’re affordable and easy to install, but they are more challenging to clean with all the small spaces and components.
One-Piece Toilets
One-piece toilets bring the bowl and tank together in one seamless unit. These are popular options, as they’re easy to keep clean and limit bacteria.
Wall-Hung Toilets
If you want something innovative and clean, a wall-hung toilet mounts to the wall instead of the floor. This leaves space below the toilet to clean more effectively. That said, these toilets are more involved to install and may require new plumbing.
Elongated Toilets
Elongated toilets are often more comfortable than round toilets because they have two extra inches of space on the seat. They’re great for big or tall people, but you have to have a big enough bathroom to accommodate the larger size.
Round Toilets
Most toilets are round toilets with a rounded bowl and seat. They come in a wide range of styles and tend to work best in smaller bathrooms.
Bidet Toilets
If you want a little luxury and less paper waste, a bidet is a good choice. You can get toilets with bidets built in or seats that have a bidet attachment, as well as additional hygiene features.
Pick Your Toilet Features
You can get a range of exciting features for your toilet, including:
Bowl Height
Most toilets are about 14 or 15 inches in height. If you prefer a taller toilet, you can find models that are 17 or 19 inches above the floor.
Soft-Close Seats
As the name suggests, soft-close seats drop quietly onto the bowl, eliminating excess noise. These seats are a good choice if you have children who may get their fingers slammed by the seat as well.
Antimicrobial Coatings
Toilets harbor bacteria, but with an antimicrobial coating, your toilet will have a smoother finish that stays cleaner in between your regular scrubbing.
WaterSense Certifications
Toilets can use a lot of water each flush, but toilets are now required to use only 1.6 gallons or less per flush to save water. WaterSense certified toilets are better for water conservation, but they may be required in states like California that have regulations for high-efficiency toilets.
Heated Seats
Heated seats are a nice feature to have if your bathroom gets cold during the fall and winter months. You’ll stay cozy on your toilet, but you can still adjust the temperature when it gets warm out.
Choose a Flush System
Your last option is the flush system, which can vary widely by model. Your options include:
- Gravity flush, which is common in most toilets
- Low-flow toilets that use less water
- Dual flush, which adjusts the water use for fluids and solids
- Pressure-assisted flush, which reduces clogs
- Siphon jet flush, which combines jets and water pressure for each flush
Are you shopping for a new toilet? Contact us at Service Champions see how we can help!