Choosing the Right Toilet
I know - sounds like a really tacky subject, but they can consume up to 50% of a house's potable water. So, it really makes sense to research...
From Consumer Reports:
Even the utilitarian commode is getting a revamp as manufacturers strive to make this most basic of bathroom fixtures more accommodating.
Some of the first low-flush toilets on the market earned a reputation for being problematic because they required two or more flushes to do their job—and often clogged in the process. Many of the newer models that were tested work quite well on a single flush. But there are large differences in performance—even within a given brand.
Trends include more comfort-height models, which raise the rim from the usual 14 inches to as much as 17 inches above the floor. The added height makes getting on and off easier, especially for aging boomers, who have helped boost sales to roughly twice what they were in 2001. But their added comfort is likely to appeal to younger buyers, too. Added efficiency is another selling point as major brands attempt to improve upon the 1.6 gallons per flush that has been the legal threshold since 1994. A growing number of models with dual-flush technology use a mere 0.8 gallons for liquid-waste removal.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
Most major manufacturers offer an extensive array of models in different designs and colors and in a range of prices. Within types, more money does not buy better performance, just more upscale design.
Pressure-assist. These toilets create the most flushing power, as pressure created when water displaces air within a sealed tank causes the water to thrust waste forcefully out through the bowl. They work very well as long as household water pressure is at least 25 pounds per square inch. They’re best for large families, kids, and heavy use, where clogs are likeliest. But they tend to be pricey and noisy. Their raucous whoosh can be disconcerting, especially near bedrooms. Price range: $225 to $300 for most.
Vacuum-assist. A vacuum chamber inside the tank works like a siphon to pull air out of the trap below the bowl so that it can quickly fill with water to clear waste. These toilets are best for close quarters where quietness counts. But while some vacuum models performed well in past tests, the latest we tested had far less flushing power than pressure-assisted toilets yet typically cost as much. Fewer vacuum models sold also means fewer choices. Price range: $225 to $300 for most.
Gravity. The most common type, these rely on water dropping from the tank into the bowl and trap to move waste down the drain. Pressure as low as 10 pounds per square inch is adequate, since gravity does all the work. They’re best for those who want a quiet, proven design or have low water pressure. But models that approach pressure-assisted performance typically cost just as much, while lower-priced models often aren’t up to the job. Price range: $150 to $300 for most.
IMPORTANT FEATURES
Bathroom remodeling is the most common reason to buy a new toilet. Depending upon the configuration of the new bathroom, you may want a round-front or elongated bowl. A round-front style is generally a better choice for a small bathroom than an elongated one. Two-piece designs, with a tank that bolts onto the bowl, are less expensive than one-piece designs. Toilets are available in several different “rough-in” dimensions—the clearance to the back wall needed to connect to the water line. The most common rough-in is 12 inches.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Many toilets are replaced as part of a bathroom makeover. But if you’re simply replacing a broken gravity toilet, consider having it fixed, especially if you bought it after 1994. A new flapper valve (about $5) or new fill valve (about $15) solves most problems and is easy to install. Once you’ve decided to buy a new toilet, begin by considering the bathroom’s location. If it’s near a kitchen or other living area, or your home is small, you’re likelier to prefer a quieter toilet.
After you’ve chosen the type you want, pressure-assisted, vacuum-assisted, or gravity, keep these shopping tips in mind:
Check your water pressure. Before buying a pressure-assisted toilet, be sure that your home has the water pressure it requires. You can check your home’s water pressure yourself with a $10 gauge that connects to an outdoor spigot. You’ll need at least 25 pounds per square inch for the toilet; allow a little extra to compensate for pressure drops from the spigot to the toilet. If you need to adjust your water pressure, don’t go above 80 psi, which can harm toilets and other fixtures.
Consider your cleaning. Most toilets use a two-piece design with a separate tank and bowl; the seam between the two tends to trap grime. One-piece models from Eljer, Kohler, Toto, and others add style while eliminating the seam. But most we tested cost $400 or more.
Choose colors with caution. More models now are available in glacier blue, peach bisque, and other hues. But as with the avocado green and harvest gold that graced ’70s kitchens, some could make your bathroom look dated over time.
Decide on a shape. Toilets with a round bowl take the least room and accept the widest variety of seats. If you have the space, consider models with elongated bowls, which are more stylish and allow a longer seat that provides more room and support for a variety of users.
Check the date. Manufacturers often change a toilet’s design without changing the model name. An example is the Briggs Classic Vacuity 4200, a top-scoring vacuum model in 2002. A revised version of that model performed much worse in our current tests. Toilets typically have a date stamped inside the tank.
Check the specs on gravity models. Gravity toilets rely on a flush valve to discharge water from the tank and into the bowl. Beefier valves 3 to 31⁄4 inches wide deliver more thrust in our tests than gravity models with 2-inch valves. Ask to see the manufacturer’s specifications for the flush valve when considering a gravity toilet.
Copyright © 2002-2007 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For full access to Ratings and recommendations of appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe to www.ConsumerReports.org.
From Consumer Reports:
Even the utilitarian commode is getting a revamp as manufacturers strive to make this most basic of bathroom fixtures more accommodating.
Some of the first low-flush toilets on the market earned a reputation for being problematic because they required two or more flushes to do their job—and often clogged in the process. Many of the newer models that were tested work quite well on a single flush. But there are large differences in performance—even within a given brand.
Trends include more comfort-height models, which raise the rim from the usual 14 inches to as much as 17 inches above the floor. The added height makes getting on and off easier, especially for aging boomers, who have helped boost sales to roughly twice what they were in 2001. But their added comfort is likely to appeal to younger buyers, too. Added efficiency is another selling point as major brands attempt to improve upon the 1.6 gallons per flush that has been the legal threshold since 1994. A growing number of models with dual-flush technology use a mere 0.8 gallons for liquid-waste removal.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
Most major manufacturers offer an extensive array of models in different designs and colors and in a range of prices. Within types, more money does not buy better performance, just more upscale design.
Pressure-assist. These toilets create the most flushing power, as pressure created when water displaces air within a sealed tank causes the water to thrust waste forcefully out through the bowl. They work very well as long as household water pressure is at least 25 pounds per square inch. They’re best for large families, kids, and heavy use, where clogs are likeliest. But they tend to be pricey and noisy. Their raucous whoosh can be disconcerting, especially near bedrooms. Price range: $225 to $300 for most.
Vacuum-assist. A vacuum chamber inside the tank works like a siphon to pull air out of the trap below the bowl so that it can quickly fill with water to clear waste. These toilets are best for close quarters where quietness counts. But while some vacuum models performed well in past tests, the latest we tested had far less flushing power than pressure-assisted toilets yet typically cost as much. Fewer vacuum models sold also means fewer choices. Price range: $225 to $300 for most.
Gravity. The most common type, these rely on water dropping from the tank into the bowl and trap to move waste down the drain. Pressure as low as 10 pounds per square inch is adequate, since gravity does all the work. They’re best for those who want a quiet, proven design or have low water pressure. But models that approach pressure-assisted performance typically cost just as much, while lower-priced models often aren’t up to the job. Price range: $150 to $300 for most.
IMPORTANT FEATURES
Bathroom remodeling is the most common reason to buy a new toilet. Depending upon the configuration of the new bathroom, you may want a round-front or elongated bowl. A round-front style is generally a better choice for a small bathroom than an elongated one. Two-piece designs, with a tank that bolts onto the bowl, are less expensive than one-piece designs. Toilets are available in several different “rough-in” dimensions—the clearance to the back wall needed to connect to the water line. The most common rough-in is 12 inches.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Many toilets are replaced as part of a bathroom makeover. But if you’re simply replacing a broken gravity toilet, consider having it fixed, especially if you bought it after 1994. A new flapper valve (about $5) or new fill valve (about $15) solves most problems and is easy to install. Once you’ve decided to buy a new toilet, begin by considering the bathroom’s location. If it’s near a kitchen or other living area, or your home is small, you’re likelier to prefer a quieter toilet.
After you’ve chosen the type you want, pressure-assisted, vacuum-assisted, or gravity, keep these shopping tips in mind:
Check your water pressure. Before buying a pressure-assisted toilet, be sure that your home has the water pressure it requires. You can check your home’s water pressure yourself with a $10 gauge that connects to an outdoor spigot. You’ll need at least 25 pounds per square inch for the toilet; allow a little extra to compensate for pressure drops from the spigot to the toilet. If you need to adjust your water pressure, don’t go above 80 psi, which can harm toilets and other fixtures.
Consider your cleaning. Most toilets use a two-piece design with a separate tank and bowl; the seam between the two tends to trap grime. One-piece models from Eljer, Kohler, Toto, and others add style while eliminating the seam. But most we tested cost $400 or more.
Choose colors with caution. More models now are available in glacier blue, peach bisque, and other hues. But as with the avocado green and harvest gold that graced ’70s kitchens, some could make your bathroom look dated over time.
Decide on a shape. Toilets with a round bowl take the least room and accept the widest variety of seats. If you have the space, consider models with elongated bowls, which are more stylish and allow a longer seat that provides more room and support for a variety of users.
Check the date. Manufacturers often change a toilet’s design without changing the model name. An example is the Briggs Classic Vacuity 4200, a top-scoring vacuum model in 2002. A revised version of that model performed much worse in our current tests. Toilets typically have a date stamped inside the tank.
Check the specs on gravity models. Gravity toilets rely on a flush valve to discharge water from the tank and into the bowl. Beefier valves 3 to 31⁄4 inches wide deliver more thrust in our tests than gravity models with 2-inch valves. Ask to see the manufacturer’s specifications for the flush valve when considering a gravity toilet.
Copyright © 2002-2007 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For full access to Ratings and recommendations of appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe to www.ConsumerReports.org.
Labels: Conserve, consumer reports, toilets, water
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