Following up our last article, Toilet Basics Part 1, we want to continue by helping you understand the differences in toilet construction, styles, and installation options.  Our five additional points below will give you a better grasp of how toilets are made and what to consider when looking at the different sizes and shapes.

One Piece or Two: Typical toilets have either one- or two-piece construction.  What’s the difference?  The two-piece models are traditionally what go into homes, a separate bowl and tank bolted together. One-piece models have a single, integrated tank and bowl for a sleek and seamless look, but the cost tends to be higher than the two-piece option.

Shapes and Styles: Toilets generally feature either a smaller, round bowl or larger, elongated (oval-like) bowl. The round bowl is understandably ideal for compact spaces, though the larger, elongated bowls with an extended rim are more comfortable for adult use.  Curious about unique shapes and trends in toilets?  Check out this toilet styles and trends video from HGTV.

Sizes and Installation: Standard toilet height from bowl rim to floor is about 15 to 17 inches, though manufactures are becoming more and more adept to customizing, such as American Standard’s RightHeight innovation.  Juvenile models are even available, like those found in preschools, as well as chair-height models for adults with special needs.  Most residential toilets are installed on the floor, but wall-mount styles are available for bathrooms short on floor space.

Colors and Materials: Almost all toilets are constructed of vitreous china, or porcelain, for home and public use.  In less common instances, stainless-steel models may be used in industrial and institutional locations.  Though pink and avocado green toilets had their day (and their outdated day) white is the most popular contemporary color, followed by light beige, both meant to stand the test of time and decor.  With that said, toilets are still manufactured in an array of colors to suit trends and personal taste.

Measurements and Drain Outlets: Rough-in dimensions are important for choosing the correct toilet for your space.  Most standard floor-mount toilets have a “rough-in” dimension of 10, 12 or 14 inches. To figure out the rough-in distance your bathroom needs, measure from the wall to the center of the drain (the bolts that attach the fixture to the drain).  Drains for toilets are either on the floor, or in the wall. Wall outlets can be either 4 inches off the floor, or the fixture is “hung” on the wall over the outlet.  Since these are important installation details, make sure to contact your professional, licensed plumber before purchasing if you’re not sure exactly what you need.

Need more assistance on selecting or installing your toilet?  Working on a bathroom remodel?   Contact us at Now Then plumbing for expert service you can trust!  We happily serve Anoka, Blaine, and Elk River, as well as the North West Metro / Twin Cities MN areas!

Whether you’re in the beginning stages of a bathroom remodel or you just need to replace your outdated or inefficient toilet, you may be wandering the aisles of a home store or browsing your computer wondering things like:

• Which toilet is right for my bathroom?
• What does gpf mean?
• Do I need a one or two piece toilet?
• Can I save money on my water bill?
• And what’s the difference between all these toilets anyway?

Never fear!  We’re here to give you a two part easy-to-understand series in toilet basics, including types, sizes, and flushing systems, so that you leave with a clearer understanding of what you really want and need in a toilet!

Types of Toilets and How they Work:

• Gravity Fed: The most common type of toilet is the gravity-fed model, which uses, well, gravity.  It relies on the weight of the water and the head pressure (how high the water is in the tank) to flush.  A gravity fed toilet has free-standing water sitting in the tank.
• Pressure-Assist : The lesser used pressure-assist toilet depends on air pressure within a cylindrical vessel, inside the toilet tank.  Air inside the vessel forces a vigorous, rapid flush.
• Dual Flush: A dual flush toilet is a type of gravity fed toilet.  Dual-flush toilets give users two flush options: tilt the handle up for liquid waste to save water, or push the handle down for a standard flush.  Dual-flush toilets often meet the HET (high efficiency toilet) criteria of averaging 1.28 gallons per flush or less (an average based on one high flush and two low flushes).

Toilet Technology and Water Use:  Recent toilet technology has allowed toilets to use less water than ever.  That term that keeps popping up in toilet descriptions, gpf, stands for gallons of water per flush, and is a measure to help identify water usage.  Toilets manufactured before 1980, not uncommon in many homes that haven’t gone through a bathroom remodel, usually need 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush (gpf), and toilets from the 1980s to 90s typically use 3.5 gpf.  In 1992, the U.S. government mandated that toilets use no more than 1.6 gpf, changing modern design and manufacturing.

It’s easy to see why replacing older toilets with the newer models can result in significant water and sewer savings.  Replacing a 3.5- or 5-gpf toilet with a 1.6-gpf toilet can save about 9,740 to 17,300 gallons of water per year.  Meaning today’s high-efficiency toilets use less water than ever, yet outperform many of the older, water-guzzling ones.

*Next month look for more details on toilet trends, installation, and more!*

Need assistance with your Anoka, Blaine, Elk River, or North West Metro / Twin Cities, MN toilet installation or bathroom remodel?  Connect with us at Nowthen Plumbing today!