Are You Up to Installing a New, High-Tech Toilet?

Are you remodeling a bathroom or considering updating your toilet? You may be surprised at the new toilet options available. Toilets, like everything else, have evolved with new technology. There are toilets that have electronic settings for personalized use, including adjustable seats, heating preferences and bidet options. Before you settle on the basic model of toilet, consider these new features and whether you really want to be the one to install these high tech devices.

  • Air drying. You can have an air blown behind with many of the new toilets. This can save on paper products and give you a clean, dry personal area every time you tinkle. This is also often used with a bidet feature for the ultimate post-toilet cleansing experience.
  • Automated seat. Never argue about the toilet seat being left open again. Men and women will love that these new high-tech toilets resolve this age-old argument by automatically opening and closing the seat for you.
  • Music and illumination. Want a tune while you do your business or a light to lead the way in the night? New toilets have you covered with musical features and illumination for an enhanced toilet experience.

Whether you have decided to go for a new, high-tech toilet or are just replacing your old toilet with a standard model, you may not want to attempt this project on your own. Even a plain porcelain toilet can lead to major issues if not installed correctly. Hire an experienced plumber to perform your toilet remodel, especially if you have decided on a decadent high-tech device. It is worth the investment to make sure everything is perfectly set up for your enhanced bathroom experience.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Should You Install Your New Toilet?

Is it time to get a new toilet? Whether your old one broke or you are trying to upgrade to a more efficient model, installing a new toilet takes some plumbing know-how. Although it is possible to install a toilet on your own, there are a few things you should know before you tackle this job. Keep these toilet installation issues in mind before you begin this project:

  •  How long has the existing toilet has been in place?  If the existing toilet has been in place for several years or more, expect to deal with corroded components that will need to be cut or replaced.
  • Replacing corroded closet bolts.  The bolts that connect the toilet to the floor are closet bolts.  These bolts often can rust and become corroded, needing to be replaced with the toilets. Due to the corrosion, removing them incorrectly can damage the flooring if you are not careful.
  • Issues with the water shutoff valve.  To remove the toilet, you will need use the water shutoff valve. This can cause problems in and of itself if it has not been used in years. It can get stuck on, leak or break.
  • Leaks.  Installing the wax ring is tricky and can cause a leak if not done correctly, possibly damaging the floor.  Leaks can also occur at the base and tank, at the water supply line and the base of the fill valve.
  • Cracking the toilet base. When tightening the closet bolts on the new toilet, over tightening can crack the base. Not tightening enough can cause a leak.

Many toilets that are installed by amateurs end up needing to be reinstalled by a plumber or cause costly damage to the home due to leaks or other issues. Save yourself the time and headache and call a professional plumber to install your new toilet.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Improve Efficiency With a New Toilet

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

Low Flow Toilet Myths

Ever since government regulations took effect in the early 1990’s low flow toilets have suffered from the misconception that they do not perform well, cause problems with plumbing systems, and are too expensive.  The reality is that modern low flow toilets have excellent performance, meet all national plumbing standards, and are inexpensive to buy.  Your local plumber can help you choose a great low flow toilet and handle the installation and any other bathroom repairs.

The misconceptions about low flow toilets are based on the toilets sold in the early 1990’s and unfortunately persist to this day.  Toilets sold in the U.S. prior to 1994 were designed to use 3.4 gallons of water or more per flush.  When government regulations took effect in 1994 limiting the amount of water used per flush to a maximum of 1.6 gallons, many toilet manufacturers simply reduced the amount of water used per flush in existing toilet designs which understandably resulted in poor flushing performance, clogged toilets, and other problems.

However, in response to complaints from consumers, toilet manufacturers have long since redesigned their products to greatly improve performance while 1.6 gallons of water per flush or less.  Some high efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush without sacrificing performance.

In addition, experience has shown that modern low flow toilets do not lead to clogged plumbing or other issues.  Any toilet will clog if used improperly, but low flow toilets do not clog any more frequently than older standard toilets.

Finally, low flow toilets are available in a wide range of prices and styles to fit any budget.  Starting at less than $100, low flow toilets are very affordable and when you factor in the water savings, a low flow toilet can pay for itself in just a few years.

Low Flow Toilets

According to EPA estimates, toilets account for about 30% of the water usage in the average home.  In an attempt to help water conservation efforts, federal regulations went into effect in the early 1990’s that limited the amount of water a toilet could use per flush to 1.6 gallons which was less than half of what a typical toilet previously used.  Unless they have been replaced, if your home was built before 1994 it probably has older style toilets.

Unfortunately, toilet manufacturers were not ready to make the switch.  Most simply modified existing toilet designs to use less water per flush.  As a result, most toilets sold in the US after 1994 met the federal requirements but did not do a very good job of flushing waste.  These toilets were designed to use 3.5 to 4 gallons of water per flush and 1.6 gallons of water simply didn’t do the job.

Consumers quickly got the word and tried hard to avoid the new toilets if at all possible.  Homeowners with older style toilets repaired them rather than replace them with new low flow toilets and some desperate consumers went so far as to illegally sneak new toilets across the border from Canada.

The good news is that consumers no longer have to engage in toilet smuggling in order to get an affordable, good flushing toilet.  In recent years toilet manufacturers finally started designing toilets to work well while using only 1.6 gallons per flush.  Most low flow toilets on the market today boast flushing performance equal to or better than their water wasting pre-1994 cousins.

If you have been waiting to replace your older style toilets, now is the time to talk to your plumber about installing modern low flow toilets in your home.  They work great and save the average household about 9,000 gallons of water per year.