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Tips on Buying Toilets
by Lukas Rathswohl
Maybe you’re building a house, or you’re remodeling. If you’re
like most folks, the toilet probably does not rate very high on
your list of priorities. Still, the toilet is a key piece of
a comfortable, modern, well-functioning home. Following a few
straightforward steps can help you find a toilet that is right
for you, both functionally and aesthetically. Remember, all
toilets are not built the same!
Step by step now, let’s examine:
1). The shape of the toilet bowl: The main choices here are an
elongated bowl and a round front bowl. The round front tends to
be two inches shorter, and works well for smaller spaces. The
larger elongated front is more comfortable and sanitary, since
there is less drip on the toilet.
2). The toilet size: There are lots of choices, with different
lengths, widths and heights. Make sure you measure the space
available for the toilet to ensure a comfortable fit. You also
need to consider the rough-in space, which is how far the
center of the toilet bowl is from the finished wall, since
this limits the size of the toilet.
3). The size of the toilet trapway: The trap way is that part
of the toilet that through which the water and waste exit. The
minimum standard allows waste with a diameter of 1 ˝ inches
to pass through. You may want to consider looking at a larger
trapway to minimize clogging problems.
4). The flushing system: In the US, by law all toilets must have:
* 1.6 gallon tank to conserve water. However, you do still have
some choices.
* In gravity fed toilets, the weight of the water from the
tank pushes the waste through an S shaped trap way, as the
siphon that is created empties the bowl.
* With pressure assisted toilets, air in the tank is
compressed as it fills with water. When flushing, the
pressurized air pushes the water more strongly into the
bowl, resulting in a better flush. Disadvantages, though,
include greater noise, expense and difficulty of repairing.
5). One or two piece toilets: Two piece toilets are more common
and inexpensively priced, and have a separate tank and bowl
which are connected when the toilet is installed.
One piece toilets have 5 or six parts that are seamlessly
connected into one piece. They tend to more stylish, more
expensive, easier to clean, and smaller, making them ideal
for smaller spaces.
6). Maintenance features: Some toilets have features designed
to make it easier to take care of them. For instance, Toto, an
innovative Japanese manufacturer, has SanaGloss, a ceramic glaze
which prevents bacteria and mold buildup, making the toilet easy
to clean. American Standard has its EasyClean feature. Kohler
has an insulated liner for some of its toilet lines, preventing
moisture build-up on the outside of the tank due to condensation.
7). Appearance: while a toilet needs to work well, it also needs
to look good in your bathroom. Fortunately, today’s toilets come
in a huge selection of colors and sizes. Bear mind, though, that
choosing a color other than white can significantly add to the
toilet’s price. One approach you may to consider is to choose a
toilet that is part of a bathroom suite, thus ensuring that are
the fixtures are in harmony.
8). Other features: High end toilets may come with heated seats,
warm air drying systems and built-in bidets, such as the Toto
Washlets. Kohler Comfort Height toilets have a higher seat,
making sitting down and standing easier.
There, now you have 8 steps to finding the toilet that is right
for you and your loved ones!
Lukas Rathswohl is the publisher of All About Toilets,
your one-stop source for toilet information, at:
http://www.all-about-toilets.com
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