We’ve said it plenty of times before on past blog posts, but it goes without saying that your plumbing system is filled with so many components that you use just about every single day. Faucets, toilets, showerheads, the list goes on! Furthermore, there are a variety of factors that can result in one experiencing issues with these various components. For instance, if you never clean your faucets from the mineral build-up that will occur over time, you’ll start to see diminished performance and may even think you’re having low water pressure. In addition to whether or not you perform the necessary maintenance for these fixtures, it’s safe to say the quality of the product itself, along with if it was professionally installed, will also play a role in just how long a particular plumbing fixture lasts.
While toilets are something that you would likely expect to be a rather straightforward purchase, there are a few things we wanted to discuss today before you buy your next toilet. Given that they receive quite a bit of wear and tear throughout the year, toilets are definitely quite durable. If you look around online for how long a toilet should last, you’ll see estimates ranging from 10 years all the way up to 50 years. Well…as you can likely guess, much like other plumbing fixtures, there are a variety of factors impacting just how long it lasts. Throughout this week’s blog post, we’ll touch on a few things worth keeping in mind prior to purchasing a new toilet.
Live in the Kansas City area and need a new toilet installed? Don’t hesitate to give our team at Stine-Nichols Plumbing a call. Whether it be repairing an existing toilet, installing a new one or even just providing advice on which brands to consider, we’re always happy to help!
Hire a Professional Plumber
If you want to ensure a plumbing project is completed successfully the first time, it’s usually best to hire a professional! Keep in mind that you’ll want to do your due diligence and make sure you hire the right company, which can be a challenge if you live in a larger city where there are so many options. Nonetheless, a professional plumber will have the right tools, know which brands are better than others, answer any questions you may have, and possess the ability to troubleshoot around any unique situations. All in all, no matter what the plumbing project may entail, there is certainly value in hiring a professional to complete the work.
Know the Flushing Styles
In most cases, aesthetics don’t play a huge role in the purchasing process (although we will touch on the modern smart toilets down below). However, the different types of flushing styles may be something that sways your decision to a particular product. Dual-flush toilets are definitely growing in popularity, as they have two buttons with one being for liquid waste and one for solid waste. This can help save some water in situations where you use the half-flush (for liquid waste). Gravity-fed toilets are going to be the least expensive options on the market. As you can guess, by means of gravity, the water is moved from the tank to the bowl, as well as the waste going from the bowl to the sewage system. Another common style that you’ll see quite often are pressure-assisted toilets. These toilets possess a little more power than a gravity-fed toilet, as they use some extra pressure to get the job done.
While this isn’t a comprehensive list of every flushing style available, it does encompass the most common options used in residential settings and should provide you with a good starting point in your search for a toilet!
Standard Height or Comfort Height
In addition to selecting the right flushing style, another key attribute will be deciding between standard height and comfort height for the toilet. As you can likely guess, the difference between these two options is simply the height. Comfort height toilets are typically a few inches taller than standard height toilets, and allow for a more comfortable sitting position. They also tend to be a better fit for taller people and elderly people for this reason. On the other hand, for those with shorter household occupants or children, then a standard height toilet would probably make the most sense. While the flushing style decision is likely more opinion-based, deciding on the height of the toilet can simply come down to who will be using it most often.
One-Piece or Two-Piece
Just as deciding on the height of a toilet is rather straightforward, the same can be said about our next point. Many homeowners will find themselves deciding between a one-piece toilet and two-piece toilet. One-piece toilets have the tank and bowl both together as one piece. Meanwhile, two-piece toilets have a separate tank and bowl. One-piece toilets are generally the more expensive of the two, but also usually offer a greater sense of durability and most would agree they are more aesthetically-pleasing too! Not to mention, two-piece toilets also tend to be a little more challenging to clean. Obviously, each of the two styles are more than capable of getting the job done and both can suffice as a reliable toilet!
Smart Toilets
Thus far, we’ve discussed several factors that just about every homeowner will take into account when purchasing their next toilet. However, for those homeowners who are looking for some added features for their bathroom, then you may want to consider a smart toilet. While they do come at a higher price tag than your standard options, there’s no denying they present some very cool features that you may not have known were even possible with a toilet. By the way, if you’re looking for a modern aesthetic for your bathroom, then you’ll have no trouble finding a smart toilet capable of doing just that. To provide a perfect example of this, check out the intelligent toilets from KOHLER by clicking HERE. While we could likely fill up an entire blog post talking about the numerous features associated with these toilets, we’ll highlight a couple of our personal favorites here. For one, the heated seat is a definite plus and is something that everyone will enjoy. Another cool feature is the built-in nightlight. All in all, one thing KOHLER has done tremendously well with their intelligent toilets is creating a luxurious experience.
Toilet Repair and Installation Services in Kansas City
No matter if it’s in the residential or commercial world, having the ability to troubleshoot various toilet problems is a MUST for any plumber! In addition to that, knowing when it’s time to install a new toilet and having the ability to do so is just as important. Throughout this week’s blog post, we discussed a few different factors that will impact your toilet selection. As always, if you’re unsure of which style makes the most sense for your household, then you can definitely lean on the opinion of your local plumbing professional. From selecting a reliable brand to getting the ideal height and more, any experienced plumber should be able to steer you in the right direction.
For those that live in or near the Kansas City area and need help with a plumbing project, our technicians at Stine-Nichols Plumbing are always ready to help. To request a free estimate, you’re welcome to fill out the form HERE and a member of our team will be in touch.