Table of Contents
- Top 10 Flushing Toilets
- 1. Toto CST454CEFG-01 Drake II – Editor’s Choice
- 2. Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II Het – Premium Pick
- 3. Kohler K-3988-0 Wellworth – Budget Buy
- 4. Toto CST744S#01 Drake – Affordable and Popular
- 5. Toto CST744SL#01 Drake – Most Comfortable Option
- 6. Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron Comfort – Space Saving Toilet
- 7. American Standard 2467.016.020 Cadet – Modern Toilet Design
- 8. Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa – High Efficient Toilet
- 9. Woodbridge T-0001 – One Piece Toilet
- 10. Kohler K-3987-0 Wellworth – Dual Flush Toilet
- Editor’s Choice
- Best Flushing Toilets Comparison Chart
- What Makes A Toilet A Good Flusher?
- How Much Do The Best Flushing Toilets Cost?
- Best Flushing Toilets Buying Guide – Useful Tips and Features
- Why Should You Go For The Best Flushing Toilets?
- Flushing Toilets Common Problems
- Basics Of Plumbing A Flushing Toilet
- Conclusion
Our editors independently research, select and recommend the best products. Some of these may be affiliate based, meaning we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if items are purchased.
The increased water conservation awareness has had an enormous impact on toilets regarding features and performance. Today, most States have legislations requiring toilet manufacturers to design and sell systems that use utmost 1.6 gallons per flush all the way from 5-7 GPF.
As you can imagine, low water consumption means reduced flushing power which could lead to poor performance. It’s, therefore, not surprising that all homeowners are hunting down for the best flushing toilets on the market.
But what features make good flushers?
In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the most important elements that make a system that flushes away the competition. But a good toilet does more than being a good flusher. As such, we’ll also delve into a few extra features that maximize your bathroom experience.
For those in a hurry, here are the models that our team believes to be the best flushing toilets on the market today.
Top 10 Flushing Toilets
- Toto CST454CEFG#01 Drake II
- Our Rating: 9/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.28 GPF
Double Cyclone Flushing Technology -  Dimensions:
28.8x16.5x29.4" -   Features:
SanaGloss, Powerful, Quiet Flush Every Time - Price: 
- Toto MS604114CEFG#01 Ultramax II
- Our Rating: 9/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.28 GPF
Double Cyclone Flushing Technology -  Dimensions:
28.3x16.6x28.8" -   Features:
Powerful, Quiet Flush, SoftClose - Price: 
- Kohler K-3988-0 Wellworth
- Our Rating: 8/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.6 GPF
Gravity Flush -  Dimensions:
39x34.6x25.9" -   Features:
Added Room And Comfort, Seat Not Included - Price: 
- Toto CST744S#01 Drake
- Our Rating: 8/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.6 GPF
G-Max Flushing System -  Dimensions:
28x19.5x30.5" -   Features:
Fast Flush, Contemporary, High Profile Design - Price: 
- Toto CST744SL#01 Drake
- Our Rating: 8/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.6 GPF
Gravity Flush Toilet -  Dimensions:
28x19.5x30.5" -   Features:
G-Max Flushing System, Chrome Trip Lever, Fully Glazed Trapway - Price: 
1. Toto CST454CEFG-01 Drake II – Editor’s Choice
Water Efficient Toilet
The CST454CEFG-01 Drake II [link to a more in depth review] is pretty much similar to the Toto CST744S#01 Drake [link to a more in depth review]. They are 2 piece models and have elongated bowls and a universal height. The 2 commodes also have visible curved trapways that add to their appealing design.
Double Cyclone Flushing Technology
The major difference between Toto Drake II and Toto Drake I is that the Drake II uses the double cyclone flushing technology. There is almost no difference between the 2 models regarding performance. For the record, there was not a single complaint about a poor flusher when typing this.
Uses 1.28 GPF
The main reason why you might want to go with the CST454CEFG-01, however, is that it is more water-efficient since it uses 1.28 GPF.
High Efficiency Toilet
Anyone looking for a High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) is better off with the Toto MS604114CEFG-01 Ultramax II HET [link to a more in depth review]. This fixture brings about every feature that you could be looking for in the best flushing toilet.
Uses 1.28 GPF
To start us off, the Toto MS604114CEFG-01 is WaterSense approved. What this means is that it uses 1.28 GPF – 20% less water than the Toto CST744SL-01. It might, therefore, be saving you a great deal of money in your water bills.
Double Cyclone Flushing Technology
Secondly, this toilet uses the Double Cyclone flushing technology. According to industry benchmarks, this flushing mechanism ticks the most boxes for balanced flushing. This mechanism does not use rim holes but flashes all types of media in one quiet flush while leaving the bowl clean thanks to the SanaGloss finish.
Universal Height (16-1/8 inches)
What you might also like is that it comes with a hard plastic seat installed. It also features a universal height (16-1/8 inches) that offers comfort to everyone.
3. Kohler K-3988-0 Wellworth – Budget Buy
Elongated Bowl Design
The Kohler K-3988-0 is an elongated version of the K-3987-0 that we’ve just reviewed above. The major problem that most people reported with the K-3987-0 was that it was way smaller than they thought. So, you might want to go with the K-3988-0 model if you want a little more room as you carry out your business.
4 Colors
It comes in a range of appealing colors including white, biscuit, almond and black. If you are not sure what to go for, we recommend trying out white.
White is simple to keep clean and will match easily with different bathroom themes. This means that you can remodel your bathroom without making it look misplaced as black would look some times.
2 Flushing Modes
The elongated bowl design makes it a great option for a master. The 2 flushing modes are also available in this model to help you minimize water usage. This toilet also uses Class Five flushing technology and has 2-1/8’’ fully-glazed trapways that promise successful flushes each time.
4. Toto CST744S#01 Drake – Affordable and Popular
High Profile Design For Maximum Comfort
The Toto FBA_CST744S#01 [link to a more in depth review] is another great option for Toto. Similar to the CST744SL, the CST744S-01 comes less the seat. Although this means another separate purchase, it’s also an advantage in disguise. You’ll now be able to get the best seat that the market offers within your budget including the soft-close models and even a washlet.
Don’t know a thing about toilet seats? Our guide on how to choose the best toilet seat might be of help here.
G-max Flushing Mechanism
Back to our topic, the Toto CST744S#01 features an elongated bowl and a high profile design for maximum comfort and convenience. Without forgetting, it utilizes the G-max flushing mechanism and 125% wider trapways thereby reducing the chances of the toilet clogging on you.
5. Toto CST744SL#01 Drake – Most Comfortable Option
Most Comfortable Toilet
Toto starts its dominance here with one of the best-selling commodes on the market today. This model features an elongated bowl that is currently regarded as the most comfortable compared to its round-bowl alternative.
ADA Compliant
Among other things, you’ll like that this bowl design supports your thigh area nicely. Its additional space at the front might also make all the difference for adult males in your home. To add on to this, the Toto CST744SL-01 is ADA-compliant.
Its high profile design makes it a favorable option especially if you experience trouble getting on and off the standard 15 inch tall seat height. This height also makes it an ideal choice for the seniors in your house and people in a wheelchair.
G-Max Flushing System
Importantly, the CST744-01 uses Toto’s coveted G-Max flushing system. This brings together a 3-inch wide flush valve and a 2-1/8-inch trap diameter. Its fully glazed trapways plus 1.6 GPF mean that all your waste goes down in a single flush.
Its powerful and also a quiet flush toilet this implies that this toilet is a reliable option for heavy usage.
- Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron
- Our Rating: 8/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.28 GPF
Aqua Piston Flush -  Dimensions:
27.2x17.6x30.5" -   Features:
Fast, Powerful and Plug-Free Flush - Price: 
- American Standard 2467.016.020 Cadet
- Our Rating: 8/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.6 GPF
Power Flush -  Dimensions:
30.2x20.5x30.8" -   Features:
Comfort Height, EverClean - Price: 
- Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa
- Our Rating: 8/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.28 GPF
AquaPiston Flush -  Dimensions:
31x20.8x29" -   Features:
Easy-to-Clean, Saving Water, Comfort Height - Price: 
- WoodBridge T-0001
- Our Rating: 9/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.0 and 1.6 GPF
Dual Flush -  Dimensions:
28.5x14.5x27.5" -   Features:
The Easiest Toilet to Clean, Super Quiet & Powerful Flushing - Price: 
- Kohler K-3987-0 Wellwort
- Our Rating: 7/10
-  Water Consumption & Flush:
1.6 GPF
Class Five Flush -  Dimensions:
39x34.5x24.5" -   Features:
Easy to Install, Extraordinary Bulk-Flushing Performance - Price: 
6. Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron Comfort – Space Saving Toilet
Good Choice For Small Bathrooms
This medium-to-high end Kohler K-3851-0 brings you a laundry list of features that might fit your needs. Similar to any other model from Kohler’s Cimarron collection, this toilet has a classic and versatile look and might, therefore, suffice if you want something that will complement your interiors.
It is a 2 piece model. But unlike traditional toilets that use a long drain pipe, the tank and bowl in the Kohler K-3851-0 connect together. This design plus its round front make makes it quite favorable for small bathrooms.
Water Efficient – 1.28 GPF
Its size does not compromise on performance though. Like the Kohler 3988 and 3987 above, the K-3851 also uses Class Five flushing technology. Uniquely, this model beats its siblings by being a bit more water efficient at 1.28 GPF.
AquaPiston Technology
Its flushing system also incorporates AquaPiston technology that pushes water in a powerful, fast, and virtually plug-free flush. This leads to excellent wastes elimination and a bowl that gets a superb cleaning without debris clinging to its walls.
Note: Doesn’t come with the seat.
7. American Standard 2467.016.020 Cadet – Modern Toilet Design
Great Aesthetic Design
If you are looking for a pressure-assisted, reliable toilet, the American Standard 2467.016.020 might be it. This is a 2 piece system with a great aesthetic design that might complement any modern bathroom. The 2 pieces use American Standard’s Speed Connect Coupling system for easy connection and installation.
Elongated Bowl
The toilet has an elongated bowl. This coupled with its right height seat makes it much more accessible by those who have issues using conventional height commodes.
Powerful 1.6 GPF
But perhaps the most interesting part is that it uses pressure assisted and siphon jet action flushing system. This mechanism combined with its EverClean surface offers a great formula for powerful 1.6 GPF flushes and a bowl that remains cleaner for longer.
On the downside, remember that pressure assisted toilets sound like airplane toilets when doing their thing and this model is no exception.
8. Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa – High Efficient Toilet
Space Saving Design
The one piece design of the Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa means that any handyman with the basic plumbing skills might be able to install it. But what’s even more appealing is that it comes fitted with the lid and seat. So, there’ll be no additional expenses to incur.
Compact Elongated Bowl
About design, the Kohler 3810-0 features a compact elongated bowl. This design lets you enjoy the comfort of an elongated commode in a convenient and space saving design of a round bowl. It might, therefore, be a big help for your small bathroom.
7 Colors
On the same note, this fixture comes in 7 hues including black and almond. It’s very likely that there is a great model for you.
Other than the design, the Kohler 3810 is a high efficient commode thanks to its 1.28 GPF rate. As such, besides saving your water bill, you could also get a rebate from your county water department. Read the more in depth review here
9. Woodbridge T-0001 – One Piece Toilet
Luxurious Modern Design
The Woodbridge T-001 [link to a more in depth review] is slightly pricier than the Toto CST744SL-01 above. It’s not hard to see the reasons why, though.
First, the Woodbridge comes ready to install right out of the package. This means that unlike our first recommendation, this commode comes with the seat installed. Importantly, this is a soft-closing seat. This means no bangs and safety for the little fingers.
You also have everything that you need to install it including the wax ring and floor bolts. This eliminates any inconveniences that the CST744SL-01 might cause.
One Piece Toilet
The Woodbridge T-0001 is a one piece commode. This means easier installation and perhaps minimal space requirement. We also like that, unlike the CST744SL-01 that has corners and grooves, the T-0001 features a skirted trapway. This not only adds to its superior aesthetics but also makes cleaning quite easy.
In addition, the T-0001 uses siphon flushing action and has fully glazed interiors to offer smooth flushes each time.
10. Kohler K-3987-0 Wellworth – Dual Flush Toilet
Superb Solution For A Small Bathroom
The Kohler Wellworth K-3987-0 [link to a more in depth review] is a sibling to the Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa. The major difference, however, is that the Kohler K-3987-0 is a 2 piece design that has been integrated into one. This means that it is slightly cheaper than the 3810-0.
Round Front Bowl Design
Again, the integration of the 2 parts coupled with this fixture’s round front bowl design means that this might be a superb solution to a powder room or a petite bathroom. It also makes installation relatively easier especially because the 2 parts join using the Dry Lock Fast install system.
1.1 and 1.6 GPF
Another eye-catching feature here is that this is one of the double flushing toilets from the list. It uses 1.1 gallons for liquid waste and 1.6 gallons on a full flush thereby contributing to your water saving resolutions.
Class Five Flushing Technology
Regarding its flushing performance, the Kohler K-3987-0 Wellworth uses Kohler’s Class Five Flushing Technology. It involves a large canister valve that drops water into the bowl from all directions.
This flushing technology combined with the direct-fed jet and a wide trapway ensures that there’ll be no debris sticking to the surfaces after number 2. It also means reduced clogged toilet ordeals.
Note: It does not come with the seat
What Is The Best Flushing Toilet?
Editor’s Choice
So, which is the best flushing toilet for your needs? In our opinion, the Toto CST454CEFG#01 Drake II is the toilet to beat on the market today.
This is a two piece model with a high-quality, clean, and streamlined look. Compared to its 2 piece siblings and competitors, it looks both sleek and modern. But what caught our eyes was its Double Cyclone flushing mechanism.
This commode is also a HET at 1.28 GPF and, therefore, qualifies for rebates.
Our runner-up, the American Standard 2467.016.020 toilet, is also undeniably a strong flusher. However, most homeowners report that its EverClean glaze leaves more to be desired and you’ll still have to use your toilet brush after the number 2. It’s also noisier than a conventional toilet.
Best Flushing Toilets Comparison Chart
Rank: | Model: | Our Verdict: | Price: | Our Rating: | Water Consumption: | Flush Type: | Dimensions: | Type: | Special Features: | Rough In: | Shape: | Material: | Color: | Finish: | Weight: | Installation Method: | Certification: | Warranty: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Toto CST454CEFG#01 Drake II | Best Overall (Our Pick) | $$$ | 9/10 | 1.28 GPF | Double Cyclone Flush | 28.8x16.5x29.4" | Two Piece | SanaGloss, Powerful, Quiet Flush Every Time | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | Cotton White | Cotton | 94 pounds | Floor Mounted | ADA compliant | 1 Year Warranty |
#2 | Toto MS604114CEFG#01 Ultramax II | Premium | $$$$ | 9/10 | 1.28 GPF | Double Cyclone Flush | 28.3x16.6x28.8" | One Piece | Powerful, Quiet Flush, SoftClose | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | Cotton White | Chrome | 99 pounds | Floor Mounted | EPA Watersense | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
#3 | Kohler K-3988-0 Wellworth | Budget | $ | 8/10 | 1.6 GPF | Gravity Flush | 39x34.6x25.9" | Two Piece | Added Room And Comfort, Seat Not Included | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | White | White | 92 pounds | Floor Mounted | WaterSense | 1 Year Warranty |
#4 | Toto CST744S#01 Drake | $$ | 8/10 | 1.6 GPF | G-Max Flush | 28x19.5x30.5" | Two Piece | Fast Flush, Contemporary, High Profile Design | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | Cotton White | Chrome | 69.5 pounds | Floor Mounted | WaterSense | 1 Year Warranty | |
#5 | Toto CST744SL#01 Drake | $$ | 8/10 | 1.6 GPF | Gravity Flush | 28x19.5x30.5" | Two Piece | G-Max Flushing System, Chrome Trip Lever, Fully Glazed Trapway | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | Cotton White | Chrome | 92 pounds | Floor Mounted | IAPMO(cUPC) | 1 Year Warranty | |
#6 | Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron | $$$ | 8/10 | 1.28 GPF | Aqua Piston Flush | 27.2x17.6x30.5" | Two Piece | Fast, Powerful and Plug-Free Flush | 10" | Round | Vitreous China | White | White | 66.7 pounds | Floor Mounted | Watersense | 1 Year Limited Warranty | |
#7 | American Standard 2467.016.020 Cadet | $$$ | 8/10 | 1.6 GPF | Power Flush | 30.2x20.5x30.8" | Two Piece | Comfort Height, EverClean | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | White | Chrome | 99 pounds | Floor Mounted | WaterSense | 1 Year Limited Warranty | |
#8 | Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa | $$$ | 8/10 | 1.28 GPF | AquaPiston Flush | 31x20.8x29" | One Piece | Easy-to-Clean, Saving Water, Comfort Height | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | White | White | 102 pounds | Floor Mounted | WaterSense | 1 Year Limited Warranty | |
#9 | WoodBridge T-0001 | $$ | 9/10 | 1.0 and 1.6 GPF | Dual Flush | 28.5x14.5x27.5" | One Piece | The Easiest Toilet to Clean, Super Quiet & Powerful Flushing | 12" | Elongated | Ceramic | Pure White | White Ceramic | 119 pounds | Floor Mounted | WaterSense | 5 Year Limited Warranty | |
#10 | Kohler K-3987-0 Wellwort | $$ | 7/10 | 1.6 GPF | Class Five Flush | 39x34.5x24.5" | Two Piece | Easy to Install, Extraordinary Bulk-Flushing Performance | 12" | Round | Vitreous China | White | White | 45 pounds | Floor Mounted | WaterSense | 1 Year Warranty |
What Makes A Toilet A Good Flusher?
The name says it all. The best flushing toilet should eliminate all the waste – regardless of the volume – in a single flush. Importantly, it should do this without spiking the water bills. In addition, we also want a toilet with a bowl that remains clean after each flush and virtually eliminates clogs.
Luckily, the modern commodes have gone through a major overhaul of design to meet all these demands. But as you can tell, these new concepts in bathroom technology also come at a price. Penny-pinching just won’t cut it if you are looking for a reliable flusher that takes everything down in a single flush.
How Much Do The Best Flushing Toilets Cost?
It’s very much possible to get a ‘contractor special’ for less than a hundred bucks. But do know that you’ll be using your commode for a few years to come. This means that the 2-3 hundred bucks that you pinch today won’t be of much help when the entire system becomes a nightmare due to frequent clogs, inferior parts, and weak flushing performance.
According to Lowe’s Home Improvement, you should expect to part with $80-$300 for a basic, round bowl gravity flush toilet. These models are quiet, but their flushing performance may suck especially if it’s a low flush.
If you are looking for a system that is good for heavy usage, a basic pressure assist will cost you $100-$400. These prices may go high, for instance, if you want a one piece commode or a unit with dual flush technology.
Best Flushing Toilets Buying Guide – Useful Tips and Features
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Type Of Flushing System
Toilets are classified into 2 major categories depending on their flushing system: Gravity-assist and Pressure-assist.
Gravity Assist Toilet
These systems have been around for decades. They are best known for their simple operation. Usually, they involve a lever connected to a flush valve/flapper using a chain or metal shaft. When you pull down the flush lever, the chain pulls the flapper which in return allows water to run down the flush using the power of gravity and into the bowl.
The main reason why gravity-assist toilets are so common is that they are inexpensive and they work well for regular use. Their simple and relatively quiet operations also mean that almost any enthusiastic handyman can repair them. Our guides on how to replace a flapper and how to fix a toilet that won’t flush are enough evidence.
Their major problem, however, is that their low flush models are not always the best flushers for heavy usage. Although we now have toilets with 3-inch large flappers and 2 1/8’’ trapways, there are still a lot of complaints about gravity assist commodes that won’t flush successfully with a single flush.
Pressure Assist Toilets
Pressure-assist toilets, on the other hand, feature a tank inside the toilet cistern. These systems work by holding water under high pressure. When you pull the lever or press the flush button, the compressed air plus the power of gravity make the water to cascade explosively.
The main advantage with this flushing system is that it’s powerful. As such, it’s always efficient, at least most of the times. Its strong flushes also leave the bowl clean. And as a fringe benefit, their tank-in-tank design means that your toilet won’t be suffering from a sweating tank during humid weather.
The major challenge, however, is that pressure-assist flushing systems are overly noisy. A noisy toilet not only attracts other people’s attention to what you’ve just done, but it can also be a huge deal if the bathroom is near your bedroom.
Pressure-assist toilets are also pricey and getting replacement parts for them can be quite daunting. Pmengineer has in-depth info about gravity assist and pressure assist toilets including history and performance reports. This YouTube video might also give you a deeper insight about these models.
Latest Innovation
Toilets are improving really first. We now have advanced models such as the Niagara 77001WHCO1 Stealth, which combines pressure assist and vacuum assist systems for amazingly quiet flushing operations. The major downside, however, is that they are darn expensive.
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Go WaterSense
The toilet is a world renowned culprit in water usage. This is one of the main reasons why most homeowners are moving from old toilets that use 3-7 GPF to the modern toilets that use utmost 1.6 GPF.
In fact, there is a new breed of WaterSense – labeled systems that use 1.28 GPF thereby saving you 20% more water over the 1.6 GPF federal standard. The Toto Drake II CST454CEFG-01 in our best toilet buying guide is an excellent recommendation here.
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Single Vs. Dual Flush
In your search for the best flushing toilets, you’ll have to choose between the regular single flush and the most recent dual flush mechanisms. What should you know about them?
Single Flush Toilet
True to its name, a single-flush mechanism uses one lever to flush. This means that all types of waste (liquid and solid) are pushed down the drain using an equal amount of water.
As you can imagine, this is somewhat inefficient. The good news, however, is that these toilets are common. As such, finding replacement parts for them is relatively easy.
Dual Flush Toilet – Why Are There Two Buttons To Flush Toilet?
On the other hand, a dual flush mechanism has 2 buttons for their flushing mechanisms. One button uses less water (usually 0.8 GPF) for the liquid waste while the second one offers a full flush for solid wastes. This feature means that dual-flush toilets are relatively friendlier to your water bill than their alternatives.
Unfortunately, most people (especially the physically challenged and seniors) report that these mechanisms are difficult to use. They could also lead to inefficiency if the users hit the wrong button. But the worst bit is that their replacement parts can be a little bit harder to come by. Repairing them might also be quite expensive.
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Everything Should Go Down The Drain
A commode that forces you to grab the toilet brush every time you go number 2 can be a real pain in the butt. The stuck debris can also be quite embarrassing once they start filling the house with that unusually strong and putrid smell.
To eliminate such occurrences, toilet giants like Toto spray the commodes’ interiors with a specialized glazed that prevents debris from sticking to the sides. These manufacturers also claim that the smooth finishes also inhibit the growth of bacteria. Toto has SanaGloss (also known as CeFiontect in some countries) while American Standard calls its special glaze EverClean.
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Larger Trapways and Flush Valves Pay
To ensure a smooth flush, you might also want to go for a toilet system with larger trapways and a larger flush valve.
This combination ensures that a higher volume of water runs from the cistern to the main sewer line faster thereby preventing clogging. If you are eyeing Toto, consider the Toto CST744SG-01 Drake that combines the G-max flushing technology (the best flushing system currently) and SanaGloss.
Why Should You Go For The Best Flushing Toilets?
The benefits of going for the best flushing toilets are quite obvious:
- First, a powerful flusher with an excellent flapper and trapway combo means that you won’t be hammering a clogged toilet with a plunger every time you have some bowel movement.
- Second, the best flushing toilets leave the bowl clean with each flush which is really good.
- The best part, however, is that they are water efficient. So, you’ll be saving a bundle on your water bills with each flush.
Flushing Toilets Common Problems
As efficient and powerful as these commodes are, they also develop issues. Most of the problems only take a DIYer at heart to fix. But sometimes, a distress call about a toilet problem could be a harbinger for a complete rebuild. Here are some of the common problems that you might experience:
1. Phantom Flushes
Also referred to as weak flushes, this problem occurs if the flapper is leaking or is not properly seated on the drain hole. Our detailed guide on how to replace a toilet flapper has everything from diagnosing a faulty flapper to replacing it.
2. A Worn Out Flange
A toilet that floods around the base is mostly caused by a broken flange. A flange refers to a gasket that connects the commode’s drain hole to your sewer. You could call a plumber to fix this or let our guide on how to install a toilet flange take you through the process.
3. A Leaking Toilet
A leaking toilet could take your water bills abnormally high. A toilet could leak from the flapper, through cracks in the walls, or even spill over. Also, toilet leaks waste more than water. Luckily, most of the causes are easy to identify and to fix without involving a plumber. Our other guide on how to fix a leaking toilet got your back.
4. Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet is the most dreaded toilet problem today. No one wants to slave on the plunger because they (or someone else!) took food that was overly rich in fiber last night. When this occurs, this article on how to unclog a toilet might be a lifesaver.
Basics Of Plumbing A Flushing Toilet
Even with their advanced flushing performance, installing good flushing toilets is fairly simple. Most experienced handymen could breeze through the process in a few hours. But at times, it might be important to let a professional do it.
The most important bit is to ensure that you get the rough in right. This is the distance from the back wall to the center of the drain hole. The standard rough in size is 12 inches. However, some old commodes come in 10 and 14 inches. But these are slowly running out of the market.
If you are building a new bathroom from scratch, you should play with the standard toilet placement codes. You need to place the toilet at least 15’’ from either wall measured from the toilet’s centerline.
These are the minimum building codes allowances though. To ensure maximum comfort, we would advise you to make it 18-1/2 inches. Again, allowing a 30 inch space at the front and between any other fixtures within the toilet will give enough wiggle room.
It’s also important to ensure that your toilet is safely supported on the subfloor. Remember that these fixtures could weigh up to 100 lbs and even double that when an adult is sitting on them. So, ensure that it’s properly anchored to the subfloor.
If you are remodeling an old bathroom, you might want to bring a plumber to inspect whether the subfloor might require replacement. On the same note, ensure that the commode is anchored on the studs for added safety.
Conclusion
Most of the basic, modern toilets cost around $300 on average. While this price may seem hefty, these toilets have tons of benefits to them. For instance, toilets with wider trapways and valve diameters are less likely to clog if used responsibly.
Again, these toilets are excellent water savers and will be saving you lots of bucks annually on your water bills.
Even better, most of the modern toilets are designed with everyone in mind including the elderly, people who have arthritis, the physically challenged, and your kids too. This means that you’ll not only be saving the world through water conservation, but everyone will have an easy time on the throne each time as well.