Toilets tend to be one of many things that plumbing technicians deal with on a routine basis. Unsurprisingly, they’re the perfect example of a plumbing fixture that is going to be used every single day by homeowners and as such, always needs to be ready to go. And while they generally operate without any issues, that doesn’t necessarily mean toilet troubles are out of the realm of possibilities. For anyone that’s visited our blog before, you’ve likely noticed two primary themes amongst many of the posts:

  • Tips and Tricks – With so many different components making up your plumbing system, it can be a challenge to know the in’s and out’s of the various pieces. With this being the case, we often provide advice on topics like maintenance tasks, knowing the warning signs of severe plumbing issues and so on.
  • Brand Breakdowns – Secondly, with the rapid growth of the plumbing industry (faucets, water heaters, toilets, etc.), it can be difficult to determine which products are most reliable. We often discuss the various brands that our team installs and evaluate why we feel so comfortable recommending them to clients.

Having said all of that, this week’s blog is going to solely focus on toilets. We’ll touch on not only some actionable tips that any homeowner can implement, but also take a peek at which brands you should be considering! Who’s ready to talk toilets?

#1: Know what can and can’t be flushed

Our first piece of toilet knowledge that every homeowner should know is having the understanding of what your toilet can (and can’t) handle. As you can likely guess, knowing this will significantly limit the odds of any toilet troubles arising. Luckily, it is about as straightforward as you get. Human waste and toilet paper, that’s it. Anything else should simply be tossed in the trash! Believe it or not, but following this one step will immediately put you in a great position to avoid a lot of toilet issues.

#2: Toilets have become much more efficient over the years

In addition to a number of other improvements, perhaps the most notable shift in toilet innovation is the increased efficiency of modern-day toilets. When you really think about it, it’s not hard to see how toilets can use up quite a bit of water every time they’re used. Well…back in the day before the 1990’s, it wouldn’t be uncommon for a toilet to use over 3 gallons of water each time they were flushed. That was until the Energy Policy Act of 1992 went into effect, which set the maximum GPF at 1.6 gallons of water. To take it one step further, many brands have created higher-efficiency toilets that are able to operate below this 1.6 GPF, thus saving even more water and money. Long story short, there are savings to be had when switching out older inefficient toilets with modern units.

#3: DIY or hire a pro?

When it comes to plumbing projects around the house, there’s definitely a difference between ones that can be completed as weekend DIY jobs and those that you should call in the professionals for! In terms of toilets, one important skill is having an understanding of the different inner-components and being able to troubleshoot when something isn’t working properly. So…when should you consider calling in the pros? A project like a new toilet installation is a good place to start. As with many other plumbing repairs, it’s going to be in your best interest to have it completed correctly the first time. After all, the last thing you want to do is install a new fixture, only to have it leak a day later and leave you wondering which step you missed in the installation process. Having said that, unless you have the proper equipment and time needed to thoroughly learn how to complete the installation, it’ll probably be wise to have a professional plumber tackle this project. This is especially true for bigger projects, such as installing a new toilet, in comparison to simply replacing the flapper. Plus, with their experience, they’ll also have the ability to troubleshoot quickly through potential causes of the various toilet-related issues.

#4: Smart toilets really do exist

Would you agree that technology has continued to become a bigger part of our daily lives? Smartphones, social media, you name it! Well, with that being said, it should come as no surprise that technology has also made its way into the plumbing world too. You might not always think of having cool gadgets and gizmos involved with your plumbing system, but that’s not to say they don’t exist. Nowadays, you can purchase showerheads with speakers built into them that allow you to play music via bluetooth. How about water heaters that you can operate through your phone? All in all, for anyone that enjoys the latest and greatest in technology, that can include your plumbing system too.

So…has this smart technology found its way to toilets too? Of course it has! With several unique features, these are more than capable of adding a touch of elegance to your master bathroom. While they do come at a higher price tag than your standard options, there’s no denying that they offer several perks that you may not have known were even possible with a toilet.

#5: Which brands should you consider?

One of the most important aspects of purchasing any plumbing fixture is being able to tell which brands are most reliable and will provide you with the best return on your investment. Unsurprisingly, these should also be the options that limit the amount of times you have to call your local plumber out for any repairs. As you’ll see, many of the toilet brands that we’ll list below are likely also names you’ll recognize from other household plumbing fixtures. Many of these brands have been around for decades and definitely are brands that’ll be around for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, which toilet brands should you look out for?

KOHLER – First up, KOHLER is a perfect example of a company that operates across many different plumbing fixtures. Bathtubs, faucets, you name it. In terms of toilets, you’ll notice they sell both the standard options, as well as the smart toilets mentioned above.

TOTO – Much like KOHLER, you’ll find a wide range of options available with TOTO. This includes their highly-impressive NEOREST line. From a bevy of unique features to a sleek aesthetic design, these are easily among the best of the best in smart toilets. 

Other Top Brands – While we could easily spend an entire blog post covering the different toilet brands, we simply wanted to make sure to list some of the best here. In addition to the two highlighted above, a few others to consider include American Standard, Gerber, Delta and Glacier Bay.

Toilet Repair and Installation Services in Kansas City

After reading this blog post, we hope you learned a thing or two about toilets! Given their significant usage levels, toilets actually do a terrific job withstanding the daily wear and tear. Especially if you follow the first step of only flushing items that the toilet can handle, you’ll be in great shape to avoid any unnecessary repairs. To sum it up, like many other plumbing components, toilets have gradually improved over the years. After all, we’re now to the point where you can purchase a toilet with a heated seat! What else could you possibly need?!

If you live in or near the Kansas City area and need some assistance with a toilet project at your home or business, we would be happy to help out. To request a free estimate, simply click the link HERE and fill out the form to get in touch with our team!