Whether you are remodeling your bathroom, installing a bathroom in a new home or addition, or replacing your old toilet with a water efficient low flow toilet, here are a few things to take into consideration while shopping for your new toilet.
First, measure the area where the toilet is to be placed to make sure that the new toilet will fit. Toilets come in different sizes and you can avoid a return trip to the store by measuring carefully before you start shopping.
Measure from the wall behind the toilet to the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. Then, make sure that the distance from the back of the tank to the bolts on the toilet you are considering is less than this measurement. In a tight space, you may also want to measure the side to side distance to make sure there is enough clearance.
You will need to choose between a one piece toilet or a two piece toilet. With a one piece toilet, the tank and bowl are combined into a single unit. There is no connection between the tank and bowl to leak and these toilets have a sleek, modern appearance. Two piece toilets have a separate tank and bowl. They have a traditional appearance and are a little easier to install since each piece weighs less.
You can also choose between a round bowl which saves a little space and an elongated, oval shaped bowl that are a little more comfortable. Toilets are sold in a variety of colors, but white is by far the most common. You may be able to find what you are looking for in bone, but most other colors will most likely need to be special ordered.
Considering that most toilets will be used regularly for many years, professional toilet installation by a good local plumber who handles bathroom plumbing repairs is well worth the modest cost. A poorly installed toilet can leak and cause damage to your bathroom floor.
