toilet primer?

11 years ago

I need to get a new toilet as part of our remodel, but I'm funding the information overwhelming. It seems to assume a basic level of competence that I don't have. I've never bought a toilet. The toilet in there now is a Kohler with an elongated seat. I have no idea about the type of flush, the gallons of water it uses, whether it's skirted or not (i can't seen to find a definition of skirted), or even the height. I do know that after years of trouble free use, it is clogged every other day by my six year old, who has been lectured repeatedly about not using a ton of toilet paper. Even though I'm sure she'll grow out of it, I know I want a toilet that can take some abuse and not clog. Also, I hate the button flushes. Had to be a handle. That's all I know.

I could just go into the plumbing supply store, but I find that I do better seemed with GWers opinions. (Heck, that's why we are getting a Bain Ultra tub.)

Where should I start my reading?

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Comments (7)

User
11 years ago
I'd bet that there is nothing wrong with your current toilet beyond something that the 6 year old tried to flush and is now stuck in the trapway. It's easy enough to remove the existing toilet, take it outside, and flush it out from the bottom with a garden hose to dislodge whatever foreign object is there. Get a new wax seal, reinstall, and for less than $4, you've solved the problem.
joygreenwald
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh, the toilet is fine. My contractor and the internet seemed to indicate that you aren't supposed to reuse a 15 year old toilet when you do a whole bathroom remodel. I'd planned to just install it.
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Errant_gw
11 years ago
15 years old means it probably uses much more water than is currently regulated.
joygreenwald
Original Author
11 years ago
Even I know that much. ;)
palimpsest
11 years ago
Older toilets are lower than conventional chair height. Comfort height toilets are 17"-18" high at the seat. This is like a high-ish dining chair.

Skirted means that it is smooth on the sides all the way down. Sometimes concealed trapway means the same thing. This means the toilet does not have the nooks and crannies on the side. Easier cleaning.

The various types of flushing mechanisms all use significantly less water than yours does, but that's the current regulations so it's a crap shoot, no pun intended as to how they work.

I had a Toto Nexus that was great in my last place. High, skirted and dependable.
joygreenwald
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm only 5' 1", and my kids are 6 & 9. I'm thinking that standard height is best for us, but I'll explore that further.

Thanks, I finally understand skirted. I guess it is just so obvious that most don't feel the need to be explicit
silken1
11 years ago
You should also check its MaP flush rating. It is an efficiency test to see how many grams of waste can be flushed down without clogging. I believe 1,000 is the highest rating and there are quite a few out there that do that. I prefer a single flush one as I have heard some of the dual flush toilets can have trouble. There are more parts involved with the dual flush mechanism. Just what I heard since I am shopping for a toilet also. The water spot and how the water flushes around the bowl is something to consider with these water efficient toilets also. It didn't used to be a concern since so much water was used, the toilet bowl usually came out clean after a flush. Nowadays with less water used in every flush it is something to look into.