Are You Flushing Money Down The Toilet?

May 26th, 2014 Posted in Toilets
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For most homes, the largest source of water use is the toilet. It is estimated that about a third of all the water used in a home can be attributed to toilets, a large amount when you consider all the other water fixtures that you use everyday. Water costs money, either directly through your municipal water bill or through other costs such as electricity or waste water costs. Since your toilet uses the most water, one of the best ways to stop flushing this water and money away is to reduce the water used with a water efficient toilet.

Improved Water Efficient Toilet Design

Many people are concerned that a water efficient toilet will not perform as well as older models. The fact is that many of the newer designs of efficient toilets actually perform better than models which use traditional design. Larger flapper valves, similar trapways and longer flush valves all can increase the productivity of the flushing aspect, while using less water to do so. These improvements can offer a savings of 20% on the water that gets flushed down the toilet, a substantial savings over the many years that the toilet will be in service.

If it is time to replace your older toilet with a new, water efficient model, you will want the help of an experienced plumber. For most people, installing a new toilet is not a do-it-yourself project they want to undertake. A professional can give you recommendations on the brands and models of low-flow toilets which offer the best performance. Once you choose the right model for your home, your local plumber can ensure that your new toilet is installed correctly and properly sealed so that it will last for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Install Your Own Toilet

May 26th, 2014 Posted in Toilets
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The do-it-yourself trend continues to gain speed, with more homeowners than ever opting to tackle projects around the house themselves. While handling your own minor repairs and upgrades can be a rewarding, money-saving experience, there are some tasks which the average homeowner isn’t likely to save money on or complete without serious difficulty and risk. One of these projects is the installation of a new toilet.

Toilet Installation Necessities

In order to operate at optimal efficiency and be properly functioning, a toilet must be installed correctly. Improper installation can damage not only the appearance of a toilet, but also dramatically reduce the advertised efficiency and shorten the life of the fixture overall. Homeowners who have opted to upgrade their existing toilet for greater efficiency may even find themselves using more water and energy through incorrect installation techniques.

A poorly placed toilet may slide, rock and move when it’s used, increasing the risk of injury to both the toilet and the person using it. Connections and fittings should be leak-free under all conditions, something an inexperienced installer may not be able to either ensure or verify.

Ensuring Functionality and Safety

The best and most effective method of ensuring your new toilet lasts for many years, meets efficiency ratings and functions properly is to work with an experienced, reputable and licensed plumber in your area. Together, you can ensure the proper installation of your new, more efficient toilet to save money and protect your investment.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

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Diagnosing A Toilet Leak

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Toilets
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It can be disheartening to find a pool of water by your toilet. The first fear is that the entire unit will need to be replaced. The second is worrying about water damage if the leak is not stopped immediately. While some toilet leaks will result in the toilet needing to be replaced, some leaks may be smaller and easier problems to fix. Here are a couple of things to look for to find the leak before calling in a plumber.

  • Tank condensation – Water condensation on your tank can build up and cause water to drip. Often, this is not a major problem. Try wiping down the toilet tank, then check it in an hour or so. If there is no water on the floor, then it was just condensation, and there is probably no need to call a plumber.
  • Pipes – Check for drips or leaks in the pipes and fittings behind the toilet. Try wiping these down and watching for drips to form. If there is a drip, it may be something as simple as a worn out washer or fitting.
  • Toilet base – If there is water seeping from the toilet base, there are a couple of things that may be wrong. Your seal could have been broken between the toilet and the floor, requiring  the toilet to be replaced. The toilet also may have a crack, which would also mean you need to replace the toilet.

Although toilet repairs are generally a quick job, it is best to have a professional plumber complete the work. Especially when resealing or replacing the entire toilet, as it is important to have the expertise of a trained and licensed plumber to ensure the work is performed properly.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing,Inc.

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Improve Efficiency With a New Toilet

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Would you flush money down your toilet? Of course not, but If your toilet was installed prior to 1994 chances are your water bill is much higher than it should be. Older toilets typically use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Consider replacing your toilet with a newer more efficient model to lower this amount. Today’s standards, set by the EPA, require toilets to use no more than 1.3 gallons of water per flush. This can translate into less environmental impact on your community and lower water bills for your household.

Purchasing and installing a new toilet doesn’t need to be a difficult and time consuming bathroom remodeling headache. In fact, your local plumber is always happy to coordinate the delivery and installation of a new toilet, leaving you free to do other things. For those looking for a Saturday project to do themselves, simply go to a store that sells plumbing supplies and equipment. Any salesperson will be pleased to ensure that you get the toilet of your choice and the necessary tools for the job.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a new toilet for your bathroom. The most important factor is fit. Be sure to select a model that matches the shape and dimensions of your current toilet. Use a tape measure to determine the size of your toilet needing replacement and the dimensions of your bathroom. Bring these figures with you to the store or relay them to your plumber. You do not want to bring home a new toilet just to find out that it will not fit in your cozy space.

You will also need to make sure you have all the required tools and parts. The easiest route is to buy a total toilet kit, which includes both the toilet bowl and water tank, bolts, and wax ring all together. Any reputable toilet manufacturer will include detailed installation instructions with your new toilet, but a professional installation by a plumber will give you added assurance.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Reasons to Upgrade Your Toilets

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Every time you flush an older model toilet, you’re effectively flushing away money. You’re also wasting water in the process, a major sticking point in today’s eco-conscious world. There are many reasons why your next remodeling project should include a toilet replacement, not least of which is modernizing the look of your bathroom.

First of all, throw away your preconceived notions about low flow toilets. It’s true that the earliest runs of eco-friendly toilets were badly received by the public. Since then, more functional designs have taken the place of those first models. Today’s low flow and dual flush toilets are far more effective as well as being much more efficient.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a single older toilet can account for up to to twenty-seven percent of household water use. If you have a leaky model in your bathroom, it can waste anywhere up to two hundred gallons of water each day. Homeowners connected to a municipal sewer and water system will find that they save money on their monthly bills. Because less water is used and flushed away, you’re being billed for less water with every flush.

Septic system users will significantly decrease the amount of waste water flowing into the septic tank. That means longer periods between septic tank cleanings and the potential for fewer costly repairs. Thousands of fewer gallons pushed through your plumbing system translates to real money savings, so it’s wise to consider replacing older toilets. It’s an investment that will pay for itself in the long run, especially if your existing toilet is prone to wasteful, costly leakage. Your plumber can assist you in finding and installing the best model for your needs on the market.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Time to Replace the Toilet?

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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While you are certainly able to replace the toilet yourself, your local building codes may prohibit anyone but a licensed plumber from doing it. Before starting on a toilet replacement, contact your local plumbing professional to see if this is really something that you can or even want to do yourself. You just may decide on letting the expert plumber perform the work on this one.

Before you even purchase a new toilet, much less remove the old one, you will want to measure the distance from the wall behind the toilet bowl to the center of the toilet floor drain, to ensure that the replacement toilet that you get will fit into the same space. Shut off the water supply, remove all the water from the tank and bowl of the existing toilet. Disconnect the tank from the wall, if necessary, and the bowl; remove and set it aside. Disconnect the bowl from the floor hold-down bolts, plug the drain hole with a rag to prevent backup of sewer gases, then lift the bowl straight up to remove it. Inspect the uncovered drain and clear it if necessary. Check the floor and if any has been rotted, rebuild it before installing the new toilet.

On the water outlet opening on the bottom of the new bowl, install a new sealer ring using toilet bowl setting compound around the base edge of the bowl. Remove the drain plug and place the new toilet bowl down over the flange while guiding the bolts. Press down to seat the wax ring and make sure the bowl is level. Tighten the bolts, reattach the tank, and reconnect the water supply after ensuring that the ballcock assembly is attached correctly.

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Unclog That Toilet!

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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How frustrating and sometimes messy or embarrassing is a clogged toilet? Worse, it never seems to happen at an opportune time but, rather, at the time when you are most in a hurry. Fortunately, most toilet clogs can be cleared relatively easily with a hand plunger, just make sure that enough water remains in the bowl to cover the rubber end of the plunger. If not enough water remains in the bowl, do not reflush the tank as the clogged bowl will then overflow. It is better to transport additional water in a bucket or pan from the sink in order to cover the plunger cup. When there is sufficient water in the bowl, pump the plunger to remove the plug.

If the plunger is ineffective, you may next try a closet auger, which has a long sleeve to guide the snake with a hook into the toilet’s water trap. After inserting the auger into the toilet trap, turn it until it feels tight. This is a sign that the snake has twisted into the blockage. Whatever is clogging the toilet should, then, be removed when you pull in the auger. Should this attempt achieve unsatisfactory results, you may need to resort to a regular plumber’s snake because it reaches a greater distance.

Should all efforts at removal fail, the toilet itself may need to be removed from the floor. This is not an easy task and perhaps you may wish to contact your local plumbing professional for further help with this problem. Rather than struggle through the process yourself, your plumbing contractor can quickly and cost effectively have you back in good running order in no time.

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Toilet In Need Of Repair?

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Would anyone argue that the toilet is probably the most important plumbing fixture in your home? It is important because it receives the most traffic and performs a job for which we cannot do without, at least, not without great inconvenience. Although made to be sturdy and reliable, we’ve all had our momentary struggles with this piece of plumbing marvel and, whether it be a clog, continuously running water, or tank noises, there inevitably comes a time when home toilet repair is attempted.

Toilet repairs can vary in complexity, from replacing the seat to clearing a clog, or from fixing tank noises to a ballcock assembly. Once a person has a basic understanding of the working parts inside the toilet tank, most problems are resolved fairly easily. Similar to other trades, it is important to first diagnose the problem in order to ascertain the possible causes; to which, you can then implement the solution. Most problems relative to the tank or the correct flushing and filling of water, can be resolved by a slight adjustment of the float ball or rod, replacing washers and sometimes the ballcock assembly.

For more complicated main line clogs, repairs or replacement of the bowl, tank, or entire fixture, it is always preferable to contact your local plumbing professional. Even if attempting a minor do-it-yourself adjustment to the ballcock assembly, you may want to check with your plumbing contractor to ensure that the procedure you are about to do is the correct solution to the problem you are wanting to address. Compared to a clogged toilet, strange noises or continuously running water in your tank are not just annoying but costly in the amount of wasted water.  Therefore, make sure that your toilet system is functioning properly in all aspects.

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Choosing a New Toilet for Both Looks and Function

July 4th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Life used to be much simpler when our choices were few. In times past, there wasn’t decision making necessary when it came time to replace or install a new toilet. Such is no longer the case.

There are so many options today that, even choosing a new toilet, can be confusing and overwhelming.

You may choose a toilet based on looks, such as the newer sleek one-piece toilets that are also easier to clean. Or, you may make your choice based on the shape of the bowl (elongated or round). In some homes, the height of the toilet may be an important consideration.

Those who prefer environmentally friendly options, there are choices to be made as to water conservation (how many gallons per flush). Toilets can be gravity flushed, in single or dual flush models (dual flush provides the option of a half-flush, if full-flush isn’t necessary). Also available for your consideration is the “assisted-flush” toilet where your standard flushing power is increased with air pressure. And, finally, should we discuss the possibility of adding to your toilet a refreshing Bidet?

We haven’t even begun to discuss the selection of styles that could compliment your other bathroom fixtures and accessories. Furthermore, space required for plumbing fixtures, the location of water connections and plumbing lines, as well as building code requirements must all be considered and addressed. As you can see, with so much to choose from, it would be greatly beneficial to discuss your preferences with a local plumbing professional who can realistically help you make the best decision that would be the needs of you and your family.

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Replacement Toilets

May 21st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Bathrooms and bathroom fixtures, such as toilets, have become an architectural and designer feature of every home.  No longer are people forced to have a standard white, green or pink toilet that came with the house.  Every toilet manufacturer is offering a number of different price points, styles as well as colors, including white, almond, black and a variety of other semi-custom colors.  The styles vary from the traditional shape to more contemporary toilets, which have a lower profile.

As required by the government, all new toilets will be environmentally friendly, requiring much less water to flush, which will save on the cost of water.  These new “water saver” toilets perform very well compared to the older models.  Believe it or not there is a “science” behind the flush and the manufacturers have put a significant amount of time and effort and making sure these toilets perform.

One of the interesting options is the “comfort height” toilet, which has the seat higher than a traditional toilet.  It is marketed to those people, such as the elderly, who may have difficultly getting up and down from the toilet.  They have become more and more popular, especially as “baby boomers” age.

A qualified plumbing contractor will be able to provide guidance on the best toilet to use based upon your budget.  They will be able to do the replacement quickly and cost effectively with minimum inconvenience to the homeowner.  One thing to keep in mind before you discard that old toilet is it may have some value.  In many areas of the country, there are firms that buy and sell old building materials including toilets.  That old green toilet may be worth something!

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