8 Easy Steps To Find Your Perfect Toilet
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 ½ 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:
* 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 - Your Toilet Guide