If you’re looking into buying a new toilet, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’ll be going over key features you’ll want to keep in mind when making your new purchase. Specifically, I’ll be going over Toto toilets, as they tend to perform a notch better than American Standard and much better than the other, more unknown toilet brands.
A lot of my customers frequently ask me, “Tom, what’s the difference? All toilets are the same. They’re all meant to provide the same service, so why would I need a new one?”
What I tell my customers is something that a lot of people don’t fully understand. Sure, you see the commercials and all, but it never really clicks that toilets aren’t all the same. To most people, they all look the same and generally perform the same. The biggest misconception, however, is that they ARE the same. When you get right down to the details, there’s a lot of different things you need to consider before buying any new toilet.
- To start with, you’ll need to consider what kind of bowl shape you want. Do you want an elongated or round toilet bowl? The difference: Elongated toilet bowls are exactly what they sound like. They’re bowls that are more oval shaped than circular, and they gain favor with most people because they tend to be more comfortable to sit on. Round toilet bowls sometimes have a habit of being placed too close to the tank, so when you sit on it, you feel cramped. The majority of toilets in homes in the US today are elongated. Still, round bowls do have their advantages. Although less common, a round toilet bowl is perfect for smaller bathrooms where you’re looking to save some space, and younger kids feel more comfortable using a rounded bowl because there’s less of the fear that they may fall in backwards.
- One-piece or Two-piece? And no, I’m not talking about swimsuits. Although similar in performance and look, you’ll notice a difference in price between the two. One-piece toilets tend to cost more, but they’re easier to clean. Two-piece toilets are usually cheaper to fix, but there is a seam between the tank and the bowl, meaning this kind of toilet is harder to clean. For Toto, two-piece toilets do not include a seat and must be bought separately.
- Universal Height or Standard Height? Universal height, also known as Toto’s Comfort Height, are toilets that comply with the ADA in terms of height. All public restrooms are mandated by the government to be ADA compliant. Standard height, on the other hand, is less common and smaller.
- Flush Performance: Whether you’re looking to save a couple of dollars or save the environment, Toto has a toilet with the right flushing system for you. Most Toto toilets are approved by the EPA and are WaterSense certified, meaning that they waste less water per flush. You can choose between 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) or 1.28 GPF. Whatever you choose, know that you’ll be helping save water not only in the earth, but also on your water bill.
- Accessories: While most Toto toilets come with an antimicrobial surface for easier cleaning, you can buy added accessories for your toilet, such as Toto’s SoftClose seat, which is an automated seat which closes gently and quietly with a push, or Toto’s Washlet, which is a seat with an integrated bidet to help keep you cleaner while helping you cut your toilet paper consumption.
If you're interested in buying yourself a new loo', what better time than the present? If you're on a tight budget, or are looking for something more affordable than what ebay or amazon can offer, make sure you take a look at https://www.plumbersstock.com/ for some affordable deals.
Until next time,
Tom