Shopping for a new toilet might seem like it’s a pretty standard activity without many choices to make. But there are a surprising number of characteristics to choose from if you want to go beyond your basic, old fashioned, white model. With different dimensions, shapes, colours, modern designs, and environmentally-friendly toilets, you might find yourself wanting to upgrade to a nicer style and better functioning for an appliance that isn’t often thought about.
When you’re ready to install, call in a plumber in Victoria BC that also has Nanaimo, Cowichan, and other surrounding areas on Vancouver Island covered. The Super Plumber - Plumbing and Drain Services can professionally complete the job with flexible times and guaranteed rates.
Consumer Reports says that a hefty price tag doesn’t mean better performance, in fact, some of the best performing toilets are priced in the mid-range. They tested toilets based on measures like waste removal, bowl cleaning, and how well the toilet moves waste down through the drain, simulating these circumstances in experiments. A quality toilet should last around a decade without needing too much intermittent maintenance or repair.
You’ll want to look for a model that’s the appropriate size, including sitting at a comfortable height, and especially width, to fit your bathroom’s designated toilet space. Look for a model that fits your current/old toilet’s “rough-in” measurement: the distance between the wall and the centre of the toilet flange. These come in 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch sizes. Our professionals will double check your choice to ensure it’s the right fit before installing. Your toilet should be comfortable and also provide easy access for maintenance work down the line.
Toilets come in gravity-feed (the most common) and pressure-assisted style models. Consumer Reports lists gravity-feed’s benefits as being more quiet while working just as well as pressure-assisted toilets, as long is it’s not a lower-priced model. Pressure-assisted toilets work with compressed air in the tank and are good for higher traffic bathrooms, but they’re louder. Consumer Reports warns that your house also needs to have at least 25 pounds-per-square-inch of water pressure to work properly. These models are better with clogs but they cost more.
Current water-saving toilets are more efficient than the original 90s models, and they work best when you can select between a single flush or double flush option. More water does flush more efficiently, but a large flush isn’t needed most of the time. This will save on your water bill, it’s more eco-friendly, and it’ll meet the BC government’s regulations for gallon flow.
Seemingly aesthetic choices for toilets can sometimes help or hinder your cleaning duties. Look for models that are easy to wipe down all the way around the base. You might consider colours that more easily hide water stains or dust. Touchless sensor flushing is a feature that restricts the spread of germs, but if the sensor malfunctions, make sure there’s a back up method. Sometimes sensors go off and flush before you’re quite finished, which can be a bit surprising, to say the least.
Give us a call when you’re set, and The Super Plumber - Plumbing and Drain Services will install and make sure your water supply lines are updated and made from modern, flexible stainless steel. We’re here for preventative maintenance, emergency plumbing, upgrades and renovations, and when you need your drains cleaned in Victoria and other surrounding areas, like Cowichan and Nanaimo. Plus, we provide excellent water heater tank replacements and upgrades when your bathing, cleaning, and water quality can use a boost, too.
