What Are the Best Toilets to Buy?
Buying new toilets for the home is a task too many Indianapolis area homeowners neglect to give much thought to. Some make purchase decisions based on aesthetics, while others choose to maximize water efficiency but fail to consider other important criteria that impact overall satisfaction with the function of new toilets. When shopping for this household plumbing fixture, we find the best toilets to buy are those that meet your expectations in three key areas.
Most homeowners decide on a toilet by price. They think about what a toilet handles and then assign a dollar value. Everyone sees new shoes, but you do not show off a toilet. But if your toilet fails to do its intended job, that is the definition of awkward.
1. Does the Toilet Flush All Waste the First Time?
Failure to fully clear away waste and the need for multiple flushes is a common reason homeowners choose to replace their home’s toilets. If you were frustrated by poor flushing power with your old toilets, imagine the disappointment you’ll feel when the new models are installed and they require a second flush, too!
The best toilets to buy are those with good flushing power. You can look up flushing performance test results for new toilet models online and compare the toilet models you are considering for purchase. A toilet’s maximum performance test rating indicates how much waste the toilet is able to handle with a single flush. As a guideline, 350 to 600 grams of solid waste is good for a 1.6-gallon flush, but toilet models are available with the ability to flush as much as 1,000 grams of waste with just a 1.28-gallon flush – that’s over two pounds of matter! These tests are done with simulated matter. The plumbers at B&W test all toilet models we recommend in our offices.
2. Is the Bowl Rinsed Completely During a Flush?
A toilet’s flush doesn’t just take waste down the drain – it also works to keep the bowl clean. When a toilet does not completely rinse the bowl with each flush, waste remains behind, which increases cleaning duties for users and can spread germs. Toilets may flush the bowl completely in the beginning, but over time, rim jets can become clogged and affect performance.
To ensure a clean bowl every time, the best toilets to buy use smart features to prevent clogs and reduce cleaning. Instead of a toilet with downward jets under the bowl rim, some new toilets use a sideways jet to create a whirlpool motion with each flush. Water completely covers every inch of the bowl’s surface upon flushing, which provides a more effective means of removing stuck-on debris. New toilets help keep your bathrooms looking cleaner.
There are also new continuous cleaning toilets. They use a cleaning tablet in the tank, so every time you flush, a cleaner is dispensed. Also, there are toilets that have a special coating on the bowl to prevent bacteria growth by including a silicone-like product in the glaze so nothing sticks.
3. How Big Is the Water Spot?
When you take a look inside a toilet, the size of the water spot shows the water volume of the toilet and if it is high or low. After a toilet flushes, water from the tank enters the bowl – but when does it stop filling? The height of the toilet’s weir, which is the drain bend just before the trapway, controls how full the bowl can become.
If you look up a toilet model’s water spot dimensions, you’re looking at the width and length of water surface area. However, an important measurement many fail to consider when looking for the best toilets to buy is the distance between the water’s surface and the toilet rim. If a toilet’s water spot is larger, it’s likely that the water level sits higher in the bowl.
This also means the water’s surface is closer to a user sitting atop the toilet, and splashing is more likely the higher the water level is in the bowl. Avoid this issue by paying attention to this distance – the best toilets to buy have at least five inches of space between the water surface and the rim. On the other hand, a really small water spot can contribute to poor bowl washdown. Call us, and we can tell which toilets have the just right water spot.
What to Consider When Buying a Toilet
Homeowners should identify the distance between the wall to the closest bolts on the floor to determine which toilet will fit. The distance is between 10, 12, or 14 inches, with 12 inches being the most common.
Homeowners should also decide the toilet bowl shape they want – elongated or round front.
Contact B&W Plumbing for Toilet Installation
If finding the best toilets to buy seems like a challenge, turn to your trusted plumber for expert guidance that will help make the choice simple. B&W Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Drains helps Indianapolis homeowners understand their options when shopping for new plumbing fixtures. We consider your needs and work to match you with the right toilets that hit all the marks you’re looking for. Count on our licensed plumbers for reliable installation for your new toilets – request a consultation today!