What do I need to know before buying a toilet 2022

Buying a new toilet is as simple as making juice from an orange. But you probably are always curious about what do I need to know before buying a Toilet? Right?

The first thing is first the wrong toilet can ruin your bathroom look. So it is vital to check some parameters before going purchase any toilet from anywhere, whether online or from the home store.

Hey. I’m Ana, a mom of two kids. You are plausibly wondering what do I do here? This is my blog, where I share my 15 years of bathroom hacking, interior design, and toilet troubleshooting skill.

I love to post all hacks that I win the battle between toilet and me. Troubleshoot stains to flush and how to decorate your pot.

You’re reading my words means you have to buy a toilet as soon as possible. Without further wasting time, I assure you after reading all the stuff you get a clear idea which one is suitable. 

After that, you don’t have to look at others toilet buying guides. Today my only focus is on a beginner-friendly toilet buying guide and a checklist before buying any toilet.

I hope for the best, and it is going to be your ultimate solution. You can check our best toilets list for home.

A Quick Checklist About What To Know Before Buying A New Toilet

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Note down; these are the top checklist before going to purchase any toilet. I add details briefly later.

1. Toilet by shape- One-piece, Two-Piece, and Corner Toilet. ( determine which one you prefer most)
2. Toilet By their flushing Mechanism- Dual flush or Single Flush
3. Toilet by their Flushing technology such as Gravity-fed, Aquapiston, Pressure assist, Siphon Jet, Canister flush, Tornado Flush, etc.
4. Toilet by seat shape- Round or the elongated
5. The height- Comfort, Regular and Standard heights
6. Toilet by rough inch- 10”, 12”, & 14”.
7. The water consumption rate- 1.2 or 1.6 gallons per flush
8. Where is the pot mounted- Floor or the wall?
9. The seat feature- Slowclose, Bidet, or the regular one
10. Other important things to watch out noise level, trap way, and eco-friendly, certified
11. Of course, the name of the toilet brand.

If you have a shortlist in your mind, let’s describe all the points and see their pros and cons.

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What do I Need to Know Before Buying a Toilet?

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The first thing to know when buying a new toilet is Either One-Piece or The Two-Piece or the Corner one

What is a Two-piece Toilet?

Two-piece toilets are most common and affordable. The two-piece toilet divides into two parts one is the toilet tank and the bowl. 

It comes by the two sections separately. At the assembly, the toilet tank and bowl are distinct parts and fastened with bolts and gaskets.

I think- a two-piece toilet is more convenient because if the tank becomes problematic, you can change it into a new tank.

Best Two Piece Toilet- American Standard Cadet Pro

Now come the advantages and disadvantages of a two-piece toilet.

Advantages of a two-piece toilet

• Easy to install and carry
• The average cost of installation of a two-piece toilet is around 250$ to 800$ and more.
• More comfort for elderly and disabled people.
• If any parts are broken or have an issue, you can change that particular part immediately.

Disadvantages of Two-piece Toilet

• Hard to clean
• Easily get dirty
• Water tank sometimes leaks from gasket
• Need space to install

What is A One-Piece Toilet?

A one-piece toilet looks like a two-piece toilet but is more modern and has no separate parts. The tank and the bowl are sealed as one.

One piece of toilet is shiny, seamless, tankless, continues to be stylish and modern, for example- Kohler Tresham.

Most of the one-piece toilets are also furnished with a skirted toilet bowl which masks the trap path.

The concealed trap makes it more sleek and sophisticated. It gives your bathrooms a bright appeal.

The advantages of a One-piece toilet

• Easy to clean
• Easy to install
• High durability
• Modern design
• Compact height
• Ideal for small space bathrooms
• Water-saving option

Disadvantages of One-piece toilet

• Heavy
• Expensive than a two-piece toilet
• If the tank or bowl broke, then it will change the whole toilet.

You may determine your mind which is best for you. If you are not and can’t get any choice, read my other post, one-piece versus two-piece.

It will help you to sort out which is best for you and many more. Or, you can check our all-time best one-piece toilet list. 

Now come to another toilet option, the CORNER toilet.

What is a Corner Toilet?

A corner toilet exactly looks like a regular toilet. The only difference is that the tank triangle shape is most found in the corner of the bathroom.

The corner toilet is a space-saving toilet. It fits into the corner of the bathroom rather than the flat wall. 

A corner toilet comes with both a single and dual flush system.

What are the Pros & Cons of Corner Toilet?

Suggestion- 3 best Corner Toilets

1. American Standard Cadet-3

2. Signature Hardware Braeburn

3. Sheffield Corner 2 Piece toilet

Choose according to your need. Let’s move to the Flush system.

Flush Systems – You Need to Know When Buying a New Toilet

The flush system is an essential part when it comes to purchasing a toilet. A flushing mechanism can decide how much clear the human waste is with a particular water amount.

There are two main flushing systems – 1. The single flush and 2. The Dual Flush.

What is Single Flush Toilet?

A single flush is the most common type and most used flush system in the toilet. The single flush is one button or one handle mechanism, where all waste material washes out by one flush. 

A single flush can consume about 5 gallons of water per flush. Most people find a single flush is handier than a dual mechanism.

A single flush is relatively inexpensive, yet the cost is equal to a dual flush due to the amount of water utilized. 

As it is consuming enough water, it is not eco-friendly. However, new technology builds an eco-friendly mechanism into the single flush toilet.

Advantages of a single flush toilet

• Easy to use
• Very convenient
• Ideal for the elderly, disabled, and children
• Waste wash away by a single flush
• A single flush toilet is best for a large family
• A single flush is less expensive
• Easily find its spare parts.

Disadvantages of a Single flush toilet

• Water consumption high
• A single flush does not save water.

What is A Dual Flush Toilet?

A dual flush toilet has a double flushing option, one for liquid waste and the big one is for solid waste.

In a dual flush toilet, there is a two-button flush, and for easy to understand, the small size is for low flush, and the large button is for the high flush.

Dual flush is best for small and personal use. It is a water-saver-flushing toilet.

Advantages of Dual Flush Toilets-

• Water Safer
• Modern design
• Easy to Clean
• Low maintenance
• Save over 25,000 liters of water/ year
• Ideal for a small family and office
• Eco friendly

Disadvantages of a Dual Flush Toilet

• A dual-flush is costly.
• The spare parts of the flush are not readily available.
• Has limited design

Now can you come with some consideration about which flush system is suits you best?

I have a short conclusion here- suppose you have a large family, and this toilet is used chiefly, then go for the Single one. 

If you come here today for your personal or office use, the dual flush is best.

Another consideration point is that, the future cost- 1. Dual flush can reduce future water consumption costs, and a single flush remains its water bill. 

Knowing your budget choose one. Now we are moving to the internal part means the flush technology.

You may hear about canister, siphon jet, aqua piston, gravity, and so on.

The flush technology is vital because flushing technology can prevent future clogging, more clean bowls, etc.

How to Determine Which Flushing Technology is best / The flushing technology must look for when buying a new toilet

You may hear about canister, siphon jet, aqua piston, gravity, and so on.

The flush technology is critical because it can prevent future clogging, provide cleaner bowls, and so on.

Gravity Fed or The Gravity Flush

Gravity-fed is the most common type of flush technology used over the decades. Gravity flush finds in European Countries.

The gravity-fed is a simple technology, depends on gravity and creates pressure, thus allows the water to run from the toilet tank to the bowl.

Makers have enhanced the effectiveness of gravity flush systems by modifying tank and bowl design concepts- including using more comprehensive flush valves.

The number Pros of gravity flush are –

• Inexpensive and effortless maintenance.
• The more efficient result by using less water.
• More Lasting
• Easy to clean, repair
• No clogging 
• Adust into small space

Cons of a Gravity Flush Toilet- 

• Tend to sweat

Gravity Fed modified and became Double Cyclon flush, Tornado flush technology.

Both flushes have no rim holes, present only two sturdy nozzles. The nozzles produce a centrifugal, 360-degree cyclonic washing intervention that diminishes waste formation and keeps the bowl clean.

An example of the best Gravity with Tornado Flush Toilet is – TOTO Ultra MaxII.

Siphon Jet Flush 

Siphonic Jet is the most common flush technology see in American Countries. Siphonic jet flush determines by the trap way S or P shapes. 

Siphonic jet flush has a large water surface, and the water layer always stays above the bowl outlet.

This trap concept functions to generate a siphon forcing waste into the tubes by the S- or P-form trap route.

How does a toilet siphon work?

1. A siphon flush has rim holes and a siphon jet hole which is present near the bowl outlet. The siphon jet hole causes the water level above the bowl outlet to create vacuum pressure. 
2. The cistern starts sending water powerfully into the bowl after pushing the flush handle. As these, before it quickly sinks down, you can notice the water in the bowl rise and thus further begin carrying the waste with it.
3. After pressing the lever, the water wants to move from the bowl to the drainage. Yet the way siphon jet design holds it and creates a vacuum so all waste down at a time and left no residue.
4. For the complete task, you can hear the engulfing gurgling sound from the toilet. So embarrassing 

What are siphon jet toilet advantages and disadvantages?

An example of the Best Siphon Flush Toilet Is- American Standard H2Option 

Aquapiston flush technology?

Unlike TOTO’s tornado flush, Kohler has Aquapiston Canister Technology. A world’s powerful leading 360-degree flushing mechanism. 

Kohler Aquapiston is quite an expensive yet money-worth product. Water fills the canister from all sides, delivering a powerful flush that clears the gunk without wasting water. 

Pros and cons of an aqua piston flush

The best Aquapiston Flushing Toilet is Kohler Cimmaron.

Pressure Assist Toilet

A pressure-assisted toilet is an energy-saving toilet that flushes more water into the pot to remove solid waste and wreckage more effortlessly and diminishing clogs.

If you don’t want any clogging, then pressure assists toilets are the best choice for you. Here are the detailed reviews on the best pressure-assist toilets.

Check here; you may need future to troubleshoot on the pressure-assist toilet. 

The most significant advantage of a pressure-assist toilet is- you’re free from any clogging issues.

These are the top flushing mechanisms technology to look for when purchasing a new toilet.

Toilet Bowl Buying Guide

A toilet bowl is vital when getting a new toilet. A toilet seat gives you ultimate comfort and clears the gut. 

Choosing the wrong bowl can lead your constipation. So the toilet seat is the thing to know when purchasing a new toilet.

Toilet bowl seats come into two shapes Round and Elongated. Even now Oval shaped has seen some toilets.

Round Toilet’ Bowl is round, and the elongated bowl is elongated. Most of the householders debate Round VS Elongated seat when choosing a new toilet. So what are the benefits and disadvantages of it?

Diff	Round	Elongated
Shape	True round	The seat slightly elongated front
Space	Fits into a small space	Need fair space
Ideal for	Children, slim and short people	Elderly, Fat disable & tall person
Cost	Less expensive than Elongated	Expensive than around toilet
Clean	Easy to clean	Not easy as round
Dirt	Not easily get dirt	Easily get dirt
Flush power	Less power than elongated	Powerful flush because of large surface

The best Round seat Toilet is Kohler Cimmaron Round Toilet. So choose according to your needs.

Toilet Buying Guidelines By The Height

You probably hear about Standard height, Regular, ADA height, and Chair height. Right?

Standard Height

A standard height toilet is called when the height of the toilet is near 14 1/2 inches from the floor to the toilet bowl rim, without a toilet seat.

Regular Height

A Regular height toilet is called when the height of the toilet is near 14 to 15 inches from the floor to the toilet bowl rim, with the toilet seat.

Best for short people, kids.

Chair Height

Chair height is nothing but the comfort height toilet. It is a brand name from Kohler, which is about 17 inches or more. ( seat included)

Comfort Height

Comfort Height and ADA height are the same. The seat height is around 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the toilet seat. (include)

Comfort height is best for tall people, knee problems, the Disabled, and the elderly.

To clear more read our details guide about toilet heights. ( Regular, Comfort, Standard, Chair, Universal, ADA, etc.)

What to measure when buying a new toilet seat?

The rough-in size of the toilet is essential when buying a new toilet seat.

What is Rough-In Size?

The space between the wall behind the toilet and the waste exit pipe is known as the toilet rough-in.

It is an essential component of any bathroom. You have to arrange to install your first bathroom in advance because it’s the only thing you can do first.

While the house is being renovated, it is tough to make alterations. Always remember that you must get it correctly the first time. Otherwise, it will be a significant additional strain.

The distance between the backside and the center of the toilet flange is known as the rough-in. The center of the bathroom flange is the center of the bolts that secure the toilet bowl.

The toilet’s typical rough-in is 12″. However, three rough sizes are usually available on the market.- 10 inches, 12 inches, and 14 inches.

10 inches Rough-in

Older homes and offices have more than 10′′ rough-in. Therefore, first, take measures if you are considering restructuring your bathroom.

If you have a small space and searching for the best compact high-class toilet, then Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron ( from AMAZON) is the best option for you. A 10-inch rough-in with a two-piece toilet.

Or, check the best 10 inches rough in toilets. 

12 inches Rough-In 

Nowadays, the Most common rough in size is seen 12 inches. All manufacturers produce 12 inches rough-in toilets as it is prevalent worldwide.

This comes about because a rough toilet of 12′′ is less costly than a rough toilet of 10′′ and consumes less room. It gives your bathroom a sleek appeal.

Best brands such as Toto, Kohler, American Standard, and Woodbridge will make 12′′ rough toilets.

14 inches Rough-In

A 14′′ rough-in is an ideal solution if you want to maximize your toilet. This hard toilet on the market is hard to find. This toilet has very little stock.

The best 14-inch rough-in toilet is- Kohler K-3948-7 Wellworth ( from AMAZON)

How to Measure Rough-in

1.   In standard toilets, use a tape measure to determine the distance between the toilet flange and the rear wall. You will most likely receive your response. It is the ideal procedure to follow before installing any toilet.

2. Regarding the Corner Toilet, first, drag the measuring tape from the commode’s corners to the center of the bolt caps to record the placements. Second, using a straight edge tool, draw perpendiculars from both locations. The toilet rough-in will be located where each perpendicular connect.

3.   For the Rare toilets, you must determine the distance between the polished floor and the center of the drainage pipeline.

If you ask yourself, what should I look for when buying a new toilet, then check the water consumption rate of the toilet

Water consumption is the most vital part of daily life as well as the environment. In old models, toilets are consumed water more than 5 gallons per flush. Therefore in new technology, usage of less water can flush out everything.

Many owners think that 1.6 GPF uses more water; thus, it’s a nice flushable toilet.

But the flushing system is not all about consuming water; everything’s also about the trapway, flapper, and, most crucially, the flushing mechanism.

GPF implies Gallons Per Flush. It refers to how much water a toilet uses when it is flushed.

The GPF gained popularity after the United States government established an environmental rule in the 1990s. 

The guidelines limit the amount of water used in the toilet, with a maximum of 1.6 GPF every flush. 1.28 VS 1.6 GPF

When compared to 1.6 GPF, 1.28 GPF saves you money on your water cost. Can I share some mathematical equations with you to help you understand?

On average, 1.28 GPF somebody uses the toilet five times per day. So you use 1.28 * 5=6.4 gallons of water per day and 6.4*365=2336 gallons of water in a year.

In the case of 1.6 GPF, toilets will use- 1.65=8 gallons of water per day, for a total of 8365=2920 gallons of water in a year.

So, you can save in 1.28 GPF about (2920- 2336) =584 gallons of water per person per year, and if your family has four members, you will save 584*4=2336 gallons of water.

Now you can recognize how much bucks you will collect on your water bill if you use 1.28 GPF toilets.

Which toilet position is better, Floor Mounted or The Wall Hung?

Floor mounted as you know most common and usable toilet attached in the ground, and therefore wall hung is swing on the wall.

Table 

Floor Mounted	Wall Mounted
Installed on the floor	Install at the wall
Flush tank attached to the toilet	Flush tank installed in the wall
More durable	Less durable
Affordable	Costly
Can load heavy weight	Can load a limited weight

Toilet Seat Buying Guide

When comes to about seat, there are three styles of seat available in the market. That is – Regular seat, Bidet seat, and slow close seat.

Regular Toilet seat– It can be round, elongated, and Oval. A Regular seat makes from wood, plastic, and polyresin. 

Bidet Seat- Bidets are the most sanitary, refreshing, and environmentally friendly post-soil cleaning solution for everyone.

Slow close seat – A quiet close seat is similar to a regular one. Instead of seat bolts, it carries slow-close bolts.

If you leave the seat after use, it will slowly close. The advantage of a slow-close seat is- it may protect scratches from the bowl rim and reduce noise.

Some others point you must check when going to acquire a new toilet

Trapway 

A trapway is a curved path within the base of a toilet that connects the opening at the bottom of the bowl to the sewage pipe.

Toilets are constructed with an outlet that exits the bowl and reaches the drains of your sewer or septic system. Path size varies between 2-inch to 2-3/8 inch diameter.

This trap joins the outlet on the floor of the bowl with the flange of the closet on the floor of the bathroom. 

The arched toilet trap also keeps water between the bowls and offers protection from gas coming into the toilet bowl.

Ecofriendly

The toilet you will use has to be eco-friendly, water certified, and consumed less water.

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Final Words what do you need to check before getting a toilet

I hope you may get the idea about the checklist you should focus on more. Toilet buying is easy. Looking for cool features is not the ultimate solution.

Buy a toilet that is worth your bucks and lasts as much as you wise. Most bathrooms are ended up with leakage and clogging problems. So a high-power flush toilet must install in your home.

Some Frequently Asked Questions