I need to buy a new toilet, and there are so many! Whats the differences? Any advice?

Answer 1

Cost is one factor to consider. Things to check: Size of discharge hole. I have seen them from 1-1/2" to 2-3/8". Bigger is better. Find out if the bowl is "fully glazed". This means that it has porcelin all the way through the trapway. If not, things will hang-up on the rough surface. Most inexpensive toilets have plastic innards in the tank. This is not always a bad thing but I prefer a Fluidmaster fill-valve. Some toilets come with them. (American Standard Cadet) You will pay more for brass innards but they last a really long time. These are the basics.

Answer 2

Yes there are lots to choose from! The simple truth is: what will work for you? Do you like the 1 piece toilet, or the 2 piece? Do you want a round front, or an elongated front? Do you want a regular width, or a wide width? Do you want a standard height, or a chair height? Do you want the newest toilet, that lets you decide how much water to use, 1.6 gallons or .8 gallons, depending on if you have feces or urine only in the bowl. Since the water conservation act was adopted, people have been bad mouthing 1.6 gallon flush toilets. Like with any "new" technology, the first generation has it's problems, and this is true with toilets. The first generation toilets were a quick fix solution, so they would adhere to the regulations aimed at saving water. The problem was, the manufacturers didn't research the problem, and took standard 3.5 gallon tanks, and reduced the amount of water that would drain out per flush. Nothing was done to the bowl, so you see here in lies the problem. The bowl needed 3.5 gallons of water, but the tank was only giving it 1.6 gallons, so you had to flush 2-3 times in order to evacuate the bowl, thus you were actually using more water than before. The public outcry was heard by the plumbers, who in turn passed this info on to the manufacturers. They redesigned the trap way of the bowl, so that less water would work. Now, all toilets in the U.S. are mandated to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. The toilet has been and is the largest water consumption device in your home. Besides toilets, all faucets are equipped with water saving devices. It is against the law for any licensed plumber to remove or disable a water saving device. The reason for all of this: TO SAVE WATER! Water is not an infinite resource. We are limited to the amount of water we have for consumption. For all the people who will frown on these statements, and say I don't know what I am talking about, ask yourself: "How much am I paying for a gallon of water?" Now, sit back, in your house with all the water saving devices removed, along with about 2/3 of our country, and don't complain, when you will be paying $10 a gallon, or how about $20 a gallon? Water will be such a precious resource, that water rationing will be the norm, and "black market" purveyors, will be on every street corner. There is even talk right now, about how to put a meter on individual water wells, owned by private citizens. It seems that when you own your home, and the land it sits on, you DON'T own what is underground, therefore, you are "taking" water from everyone else, and the municipalities are going to charge you for its use. Scoff if you will, but the day is coming! So you see, your decision about a toilet has future implications. Choose well!

Answer 3

I agree with Poppyman.
I recently purchased the Kohler powerflush. I only have to flush once and poof.. it is all gone. It isn't very loud either. Also, the trap area is glazed and the whole inside is glazed so it flushes everything nice and smooth.
I use to sell Toto toilets, they are nice but I personally do not think they are worth what you have to pay for them.
Also, call your county, because our county gave us a $100 rebate for updating our toilet from the older one to the new low flow. The county also came and picked up the old toilet.
Personally, most of my clients purchase the two piece elongated toilet. Not many people purchase the standard round, usually when they do it is because the bathroom is small and space is limited.
The Kohler toilet I purchased was about $250.00 before the rebate and it only uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
Keep your receipt and usually if your county offers a rebate, Home Depot and Lowes SHOULD know about it and they SHOULD be able to give you the number and information on who to contact.
One final note: PLEASE do not keep the old one!!! What people say about the new technology is not true!! The new toilets work great and prevent us from carelessly wasting water.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Buy simple, buy cheap. Why would you want to spend a lot of time and money on something you are just going to put your butt on and fill with waste? I have never met a toilet I didn't like. Just get a basic WHITE porcelain toilet, it won't go out of style and it won't cost too much. Don't flush your money away, hahahahaha.

Answer 5

Obviously there are many choices, and many of those are designed to be hyped as "designer" choices.

What works is what's best no matter if it cost $69.95 or four times that price.

"Standard" is not only part of a brand name, but what is USUAL in toilet construction.

I truly GET IT in those who think that 1.5 gal. flush is saving the planet as opposed to a 2.0 gal. flush, but low use toilets often cause one to flush multiple times, hence defeating the purpose.

Go with the old, established mfgs. the "standard" constructions and sizes unless this appliance is meant to be a show piece as opposed to functional.

Two piece is best, no matter how slick the one piece molded look, with the lower tank and designer colors. Just consider the purpose for its use and get away with as little as you can spend. It's all just fired, glazed clay anyway.

Steven Wolf

Answer 6

If you have an old toilet that can be repaired. KEEP IT.

Those new ones use less water, however, they dont flush good either. So hang onto that old one as long as you possibly can.

Answer 7

First of all check if you can sit on it. That is important. Then try out the lid. It has to close properly as nobody wants to have to look at what message you left behind. See if the taps work so can flush away all that is not welcome. I think that is good advice.

Answer 8

get elongated you'll be happier

i paid extra for kohlers in a house & the cheapies that my plumber used got stopped up less

they are all 1.6 gal flush

Answer 9

Its like cars. Basically all do the same thing, but there are so many models and colors. So you have choice.

Answer 10

go to canada buy a real toilet, all U.S. toilets are now lo-flo and only half work