Like anything else, toilets eventually wear out. Further, you may be planning a bathroom renovation that includes a toilet upgrade. Whatever the reason, if it’s time for a new toilet, you have more choices than ever before. Familiarize yourself with what’s out there, and a professional St. Cloud plumber will help you find exactly the right toilet – with the right options – for you and your household.
Get a Handle on It
You’re probably most familiar with gravity-feed toilets, which are toilets that implement rubber flappers at the bottoms of their water tanks. When the toilet handle is pressed down, the flapper rises, and gravity does its job by allowing all the water in the tank to rush through the toilet bowl. That, however, isn’t the only flushing option:
- The Pressure Assist – Some toilets incorporate a pressure-assisted flush, which allows air pressure to move things along with a quicker, more powerful flush. These flush mechanisms are common in public restrooms, and while they’re usually louder than traditional models, they keep the bowl cleaner and are better at stopping clogs in their tracks. Toilets with pressure-assisted flushing mechanisms are now available for home installation, but the sticker price and the cost of installation are higher.
- The Dual Flush – Another option is the combination of old and new, which augments a traditional gravity-fed flush with the speed and efficiency of a pressure-assist flush. This melding of both worlds allows you to choose the level of flush you need – in any given moment.
Can’t Touch This
In addition to fancy new flushing mechanisms, toilets now sport a touchless flush option, which is standard on some premium models and can be retrofitted on many more. A touchless flush can be instigated with the wave of your hand and is not only more hygienic but is also helpful for those who lack the physical strength and/or dexterity to control a traditional toilet flush.
Whatever your needs, an experienced St. Cloud plumber can help.
The Height and Shape of It
Toilets come in a variety of heights and shapes, and whatever your household’s particular needs, there’s a toilet to meet them.
- Toilet Height – Toilets come in more heights and shapes than ever before, and it’s important to give some thought to your choices. Traditional toilets are 15 inches high, but models can range from 10 to 20 inches. Different height options have different advantages. For example, people with more physical limitations, including the elderly, often find that a higher toilet is easier to maneuver (there’s less distance to travel when moving from standing to sitting – and vice versa). Further, if yours is a young family with small children, you may want a toilet with a shorter stance, which also lends itself to the often-preferred seating posture that resembles squatting.
- Bowl Shape – Traditional toilet bowls are typically round or elongated in shape. An elongated oval bowl is usually considered more comfortable, but a round bowl can be a real space saver. Modern toilets play around with shape and size and have some compromise options – including a shortened oval – that melds the comfort of an oval with the space-saving bonus of a round bowl.
Saving Water
We’re all concerned with conserving water, and fortunately, modern toilets are held to industry standards that limit them to 1.6 gallons per flush. This is a vast improvement over the water hogs of old, which were unregulated and could guzzle up to 5 gallons per flush. In fact, today’s market even has stingier water-options available. A professional St. Cloud plumber will help you determine the best choice for you.
Smart Toilets
We have smartphones, smart TVs, and lots of smart stuff; it was only a matter of time before we got around to smart toilets. These modernistic toilets can be equipped with all the bells and whistles, including self-cleaning technology, temperature controls, bidets, dryers, LED lights, and remote control operations. What’s not to love? Whether you’re thinking about a traditional workhorse to replace your old workhorse or about a new-fangled model that does it all, there’s a toilet that’s right for you.
If You’re Toilet Shopping, Consult with an Experienced St. Cloud Plumber Today
If you’re ready to replace your toilet or toilets, you have plenty to consider – there are a lot of options out there. Never fear, the dedicated plumbing professionals at Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical in St. Cloud are here to help. Our experienced plumbers have the skill, knowledge, and commitment to guide you every step of the way – from choosing the model that suits your needs to professional and efficient installation. If you’re in the market for a new toilet, please contact or call us at (320) 500-6073 today.
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