Okay, let’s talk about toilets! I know you don’t want to. Nobody wants to. We’ve all but eliminated it from our popular lexicon. When we say we’re ‘going to the bathroom’, it’s unlikely that we’re actually going to take a bath but we avoid the ‘t’ word because the English language lends itself so well to euphemism. We all know what they’re for, yet we’re understandably reticent to talk about its importance. While it’s unlikely to be at the forefront of your mind when redesigning your bathroom, there are undeniable stylistic and logistical considerations to bear in mind. After all, the worst thing about toilets is what happens when they go wrong.
While many sites such as Home Spa Select will be able to furnish you with a plethora of examples of ideal toilets, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. To mitigate the chance of insufficient flow, blockage or just plain not having enough legroom, we’ve compiled this handy dandy list of things you should look for when buying a new toilet.
Size. Toilets are available in various sizes, with much greater variation than you might expect. The size of your perfect toilet will be decided by the size and layout of the bathroom. This should be your primary consideration. There’s little point in falling in love with a perfect design if you find yourself without the space to accommodate it. Choosing a larger toilet for a small bathroom will dominate the space giving the suite a strange sense of disproportion. You will also need to decide on a size of toilet, that suits your size and body weight. If you’re larger in build you don’t want a dainty toilet that looks dainty and beautiful but feels like sitting on a razor blade.
Design. Some people want to make a statement with their toilet, others want it to look as innocuous as possible. It depends on personal preference as well as the space you have to work with. You should also consider the lines and details of your bath and sink if you’re buying a toilet that’s separate from your existing or chosen bathroom suite. Colors should complement the wall color and / or the color of the rest of your suite.
Flushing mechanism. Don’t you just hate when a toilet is set to ‘stun’, not ‘kill’? You want a robust flush with the water pressure to completely clear the bowl without leaving stray sheets of toilet paper floating on the surface. Some toilets have a visible water tank, some tanks are concealed (this is usually the case in wall mounted toilets). Some toilets have a single flush, some use a dual flush. Single flushes use more water whereas dual flushes are more conservative. A single flush, therefore may be more robust but a dual flush is a more environmentally and money conscious choice while still providing a powerful enough flush for most users’ needs.
Trap Way. Finally, your trap way should be considered. They come in two varieties and it’s important to know which is right for the location of your bathroom. ‘S’ traps are designed to connect to the plumbing at ground level while a P trap is designed to be connected to a wall, making it more suited to upstairs toilets.
Who knew toilets could be so complicated? But by bearing these 4 simple factors in mind you can guarantee yourself years of stress-free flushing.
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