How to Buy a Toilet

It will be in your home for 10 years or more. Take time to research.

How to choose a toilet — the basics

Your toilets are one of the most important items you own in your home. And you use it every day. How it flushes and how much water it uses is important. The color and the cost also matter. But flushing and its comfort height matter more. If you do not like your current model read below. Look for that model that will fit your bathroom, your butt and your budget!

Low-flow models
The Federal government has mandated low flush toilest since the mid 1990s. What were problematic units back then have changed alot as manufacturers changed their designs. They got tweeked! How they have larger traps and the designs prevent clogging and the larger flush valves allow for a more powerful rush of water to come into the bowl.

You get what you pay for
Cheap is cheap. We have customers who bought “the most affordable” toilets at big box stores and after bringint it home found that the glazing was not as great as they had hoped for and the piece did not flush well. Plan on spending at least $100 to $500 for a great toilet.

Visit a supply house showroom

Have you ever been to a supply house in the Capital Region ? Upon entering you will have a mind blowing experience! Head over to Security Supply on Central Avenue in Albany or see the exit 11 VP Supply showroom on the Northway in Ballston. Quality display from all the major brands. Look at the finish options! Be sure to sit town on a throne!

Stick to the basics
A unique finish, color or custom seat and or a unique flush mechanism can haunt you int he future. Stick to the basic colors and save money in the long run. Custom seats can cost you a lot in the future if you need to replace it.

What is a “rough-in” measurement

We, at E.W. Tompkins Plumbing, wrote up and estimate and indicated that the toilet on order had a “12 rough-in” measurement. The customer called saying “that is way too short a toilet”. We explained the the distance from the wall to the middle of the flange bolts that hold down the toilet is called the “rough-in measurement”. Most toilets come in a 12′ standard but now and then you see 10-in. and 14-in. models available. We suggest you always purchase the same “rough-in” measurement. Take the measurement right from the wall as it should include the baseboard molding.

Sweating tanks

Do you have the sweat from a toilet ruining your floor ? Maybe chose a pressure-assiste model. The water is held in a interior tank so it will not sweat.

Research flush rates online

Take time to research flush rates of toilets online. You are going to have this fixture in your home for the next 10 years. Type in the words “toilet testing” and you should see a variety of best seller’s results. The top sellers are: Home Depot toilets like Glacier Bay; Kohler’s Wellworth and Cimarron; American Standard’s Cadet 3 FloWise; and Gerber’s UltraFlush. We, at E.W. Tompkins, feel strongly about these brand names.

Get a pressure-assist toilet if a clean bowl using less water is a top priority

According to the plumbers we spoke with, pressure-assist toilets are more water-efficient flushers than gravity toilets. They have a separate tank that holds water under pressure, which releases with great velocity and removes waste thoroughly when you flush. They’re also pricier ($100 plus) and a lot noisier than gravity types. (See our field editor comments below.) Finding parts and making repairs can also be more of a headache with pressure-assist toilets.

For more info on gravity and pressure-assist toilets, type “toilet performance” in the search box above.

What is easy to clean?

One-piece toilets are easier to clean (fewer nooks and crannies), but they’re also more expensive and can be harder to install than a two-piece unit because how heavy the one piece is.

Consider “Comfort Height”

Toilets were made higher for the Americans With Disabilities Act. They have higher bowl heights of 17 in. or 19 in. vs. the standard 15 in. Have you tried one ? So many people are moving to this new height. While it can be harder for toddlers and young kids, the new taller height is easier on older people who have mobility issues, knee issues and back issues. Do try this height out at a supply store. Check to see if you like a “round” bowl or an “elongated” seat.

Elongated v. Round

Do not assume that you want an elongated bowl. While these are more comfortable, they are 2″ longer. You need be sure that an elongated model fit in your bathroom. You do not want to learn after the purchase that a door cannot be closed or a drawer not being able to be opened.

Ask your plumber for sugggestions!

So you see that toilets are an expensive home purchase that requires some discussion before you head off and purchase one. You can obtain a recommendation from your plumber who can also purchase and install the toilet for you. We always suggest that you replace your supply line and really look hard to see if you need a new stopper valve at the same time. In an emergency, you need that stopper valve to cut off the water supply. You never see this little valve shut off but it can really spare your home from significant damage in a pinch.