How to choose a toilet?

Our life is highly technological, and sophisticated devices are designed to provide convenience and comfort. In each house there are few things that all family members use several times a day. One of these devices is the toilet, which must be comfortable, suitable for all households. We buy this piece of plumbing “seriously” for a long time, but only in the conditions of modern diversity, the question always arises of how to choose a toilet so that it satisfies not only in technical parameters, but also in design decisions. Today we will introduce you to the selection criteria and tell you which toilet is best for the toilet.

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Criteria for choosing plumbing

The choice of plumbing is a responsible process, and first of all, you need to decide on the best option for you. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting lost and confused at the store when looking at earthenware, porcelain, white, gold, pink models with a vertical or horizontal drain system.

Here are just a few of the most important criteria you should rely on when choosing plumbing:

• Convenience of use. The dimensions of the product should leave enough free space in the toilet room, both in front and on the sides. In addition, plumbing should be suitable for growth of all family members and be comfortable.
• The method of connection to the sewer and water supply. The toilet should be connected without any problems to the water supply and sanitation.
• Reliability. If you buy a kit consisting of a toilet bowl and a tank, then, if necessary, the components should be easily repaired.
• Design. Of course, the toilet room does not particularly admire the beauty of plumbing, but it is desirable that such an intimate object has an attractive appearance and shape.
• Flush system. In modern models of devices, flushing is performed in two ways: direct, circular.
• The presence of anti-splash system. It is advisable that the process of using plumbing be without spray.
• Type of mount. The most common are floor standing devices, but hanging toilets are still more exotic. Although abroad they are used quite widely.
• The method of fastening the drain tank. There are two ways to mount the toilet bowl: classic (joint) and separate.
• The material of manufacture. Each material has its own advantages and basic nuances. Choose according to your taste and preferences.

Let's consider in more detail how to choose a toilet according to the main criteria.

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Toilet bowl in detail: bowl, cistern and flush

The main details of the toilet are:

• Bowl.
• Cistern.

The toilet bowl may be:

• Funnel-shaped. In a bowl of this type, the drain hole is located almost in the center.

Important! The funnel-shaped design is considered the most hygienic, since sewage immediately falls into the water, and, thanks to the sloping back wall of the toilet bowl, there is practically no spray when flushing.

• Dish-shaped. This design is characterized by a platform filled with water. The drain hole is slightly shifted forward, and there is a small plate-shaped depression in the path of the water flow to the drain.When installing such a model, additional adjustment of the operation of the drain tank, as well as the volume of water for flushing, is often required.

Important! The dish-shaped bowl shape is considered the most unhygienic, as sewage lingers on the platform. In addition, water constantly collects in the bowl, which as a result leads to unrecoverable salt deposits.

• Visor. This design combines the advantages of funnel-shaped and dish-shaped bowls. The design does not prevent sewage from entering the drain hole, and thanks to the special bending of the wall, it provides protection against splashes. Peak bowl is the leader in sales.

Important! When buying a toilet bowl with a visor cup, the following nuance should be taken into account: the greater the angle of inclination of the platform, the better the anti-splash system works.

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Type of toilet attachment

Before you finally choose a toilet and buy equipment, you always need to decide on the installation method.

The following types of toilets are distinguished:

1. Floor devices. These are the traditional systems that the builders of all typical apartments are guided by. It is floor options that occupy most of the plumbing showcase. Design features: the toilet is fixed to the floor with cement mortar (screws). The device occupies some part of the room.
2. Wall or outdoor. The design is designed for mounting close to the wall. Such models of devices have an attractive laconic form, small size and hidden mount for the tank. When mounting the structure, a decorative panel is used to hide the tank.
3. Outboard. The design is installed using special equipment, the so-called installation, which allows you to hide the tank. Compact products make it possible to save space in the room and visually expand the space. In addition, due to the design features of the device, care of the toilet room is greatly facilitated.

Important! When choosing the type of equipment correctly evaluate the construction of the room. For example, when choosing a hanging toilet for a Soviet-built apartment, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to purchase a special installation for false walls, since during construction the communication was separated from the toilet room by a partition from chipboard.

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Methods of fastening the drain tank

The drain tank can be mounted on the rear shelf of the plumbing, and can be located separately from the toilet on the wall plane or be integrated into the wall:

• Joint mounting method is a classic option. In this case, plumbing is a single unit. Installing a connected tank is much simpler, easier and cheaper. Installation is carried out using two bronze or stainless bolts and rubber gaskets.

Important! This method is also good because if necessary, the tank can always be replaced with a new one due to simple installation.

• A separate drain tank is an excellent solution for bathrooms with a small area. An attached or wall-hung toilet can be mounted on a wall, and a flush cistern can be placed on the wall surface under the ceiling, or concrete can be cut and the cistern can be installed in a load-bearing wall (or a false wall can be built).

According to the method of draining the tanks are divided into two groups:

• Push-button. Models with push-button discharge are more popular, because with the buttons you can drain half the volume of the tank (one button) or the entire volume (two buttons). This can significantly save water.
• Lever This drain model is more common in older versions of devices.

Important! Another important point in choosing a toilet - it is necessary to take into account the place of supply of the water hose to the tank:

• The lower connection fills the tank like a fountain, ensuring a quiet operation of the device.
• Lateral water supply - on the contrary, is accompanied by a characteristic noise.

Advice:

1. The durability of the operation of plumbing is also affected by the fittings of the tank.The design of the tank should be as simple as possible so that it can be easier to repair during a breakdown.
2. The drain tank should not be too compact. When buying plumbing, pay attention to the fact that the flushing mechanism and the water supply valve in the tank are not very compactly grouped. Otherwise, valve repair and cleaning, as well as valve replacement, will become too time-consuming.
3. When buying, pay attention to how the valve with the float is located. Ideally, it should be mounted on the side wall under the cover itself.
4. When purchasing plumbing, make sure that fittings compatible with the kit are sold separately.

Important! Any exclusive form of the tank implies the exclusivity of the fittings. And when repairing it is not at all convenient.

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Toilet flushing systems

Modern device models have two flushing methods:

• Straight. Water in such a system moves almost in a straight path from the tank to the drain. Direct discharge is also called horizontal or cascading. This drain model was implemented in almost all models of toilets of the Soviet era.

Important! The advantage of the system is that at one go you can wash away the sewage located in the center of the bowl. The disadvantage is that the water flow does not cover the entire inner surface of the bowl.

• Reverse circular. A ring or shower system is fundamentally different from a direct flush. When the tank is lowered, the water pressure moves along a kind of annular groove and flows uniformly over the entire area of ​​the bowl.

Important! Advantages: virtually no noise, uniform washing of the bowl surface during flushing.

Disadvantage: plumbing with a circular flush system costs 10-15% more. In addition, over time, drain holes may become clogged in the gutter under the rim due to salt deposits.

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How to choose a sewer outlet?

In order not to redo the sewerage after the purchase, you need to pay attention to the toilet system. Based on the design of the drain, the choice of toilet bowl may be as follows.

Vertical release

This type of device is intended for rooms with a sewer pipe going to the floor. This construction of the sewage system is familiar to residents of the steelworks of the 30-50s. A toilet with a vertical outlet is simply placed on the socket of the sewer pipe from above.

Important! It is not possible to adapt a device with a vertical outlet to other types of sewers.

Horizontal outlet

Direct horizontal output is characteristic for imported devices. It implies the exit of the sewer pipe from the wall horizontally. In domestic conditions, this is practically not found. However, if necessary, it can be adapted to a different type of sewage system. Corrugation of the corresponding diameter can be used for this purpose. A piece of corrugated plastic pipe with a rubber seal will help to deploy the toilet at any angle to the wall and sewer pipe.

Important! The only restriction is that the toilet, in comparison with the old one, which had an oblique outlet, will move forward by at least 15 cm. The exact distance depends on the height of the pipe socket and the length of the toilet outlet.

With oblique release

It is advisable to choose a toilet with such a release if the socket is sloped or very close to the floor surface. The design was used in all Soviet buildings, and today is considered the most common.

Most of the builders in the design of intra-house sewer systems focuses on the oblique issue. In addition, this model is chosen in the following cases:

• The bell is at an angle to the horizon.
• The distance to the door does not allow you to put the toilet 15-20 cm further from the wall.

Important! Residents of private homes are advised to choose the type of toilet at the construction stage. Homeowners should pay attention to vertical outlets in order to save space in the room and remove pipes in the ceiling.

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Material and color are important aspects.

The first thing we pay attention to when answering the question of which toilet bowl is better is the material of manufacture. It is this indicator that determines not only the appearance of the product, but also reliability, hygiene and durability.

Consider the most common device options.

Faience

Toilet bowls made of earthenware are the most popular and cheapest. Faience is a type of white ceramic with a finely porous structure. To reduce the hygroscopicity of the material, the surface of the earthenware is coated with special enamel.

Important! Enamel color can be various: white, beige, yellowish, turquoise. The color does not affect the technical parameters.

The disadvantage of the product from faience is also, and significant. During operation, the protective enamel can be destroyed from certain mechanical influences. When abrasion of enamel, moisture begins to be absorbed into the fine-grained structure of faience, as a result - the strength of plumbing decreases. However, do not be scared immediately, since a faience model of plumbing can honestly serve 10-15 years.

China

Porcelain toilets - strong and durable plumbing. With careful care, they can last for decades (20-25). Models from porcelain have an attractive appearance, but their cost is quite high (30-50% higher than the cost of sanitary ware from faience).

Marble and Artificial Stone

Plumbing made from decorative varieties of marble or artificial stone is a very expensive option. It will suit lovers of such styles as Baroque, Empire or Classicism. In addition to such positive qualities as attractiveness, durability, high resistance to mechanical stress, plumbing has such a plus as hygiene.

Important! The surface of marble is polished in such a way that it can only be compared with glass in terms of smoothness, therefore, even a weak pressure of water for draining can wash away all impurities to the smallest particles.

Steel toilets

As a material for the manufacture of such a device, stainless steel is used. This material is not able to absorb moisture, and various contaminants do not stick to a smooth surface.

Another plus is high strength, you can even say anti-vandal strength. It is thanks to this advantage that steel toilets are very popular in public places.

Important! The warranty service life of plumbing is almost unlimited, but the cost, as a rule, is even higher than porcelain devices.

Cast iron toilets

These models are quite rare in plumbing stores. This is due to their low popularity. Cast iron plumbing has a large weight, bulkiness and short service life. Protective enamel is applied to the surface of the cast iron, which protects the cast iron from corrosion and rust, but cast iron is still a brittle material.

Important! Cast iron models are used mainly in public places with a small number of visitors.

Plastic

Plastic models are made from acrylic. The surface is coated with fiberglass and a special mixture of resins. Such a multilayer structure provides strength to the equipment. Plastic devices are lightweight, easy to install, and low cost. Particularly smooth surface does not retain dirt, therefore it is very easy to clean.

Important! The main disadvantages include:

• low resistance to mechanical damage and temperature effects;
• relatively short life.

Basically, plastic models prefer to be installed in the country.

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How to choose a good toilet?

To answer the question of which toilet is better, first decide on the modification and type, as well as budget options. A good and high-quality toilet should go to a large plumbing store, where all types and modifications are presented. Here you can decide on a price plan.Store consultants will be able to answer all your questions and give tips on choosing a device that meets your needs and wishes.

When buying plumbing, you should pay attention to the following points:

1. There should not be any chips or cracks on the toilet. Plumbing coverage should be uniform.
2. The product should be accompanied by instructions that will help to install plumbing.
3. In the box along with the plumbing should be all components. Without them, device installation is not possible.

Important! A high-quality product cannot be cheap, so do not choose too cheap an option. Remember that a good quality toilet will last more than one decade.

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Helpful hints:

1. To choose a toilet according to its parameters means, among other things, a trip to a plumbing shop with a tape measure. Be sure to measure the distance to the back wall and the door at home. When choosing plumbing, keep in mind that the tank will visibly protrude beyond the output. In addition, it is desirable that there is at least 60 cm from the toilet to the door or the front wall. And do not forget to check the distance to the walls, if it is less than 35 cm, then knees on the “throne” will not work.
2. If you buy only a toilet, then the problem of choosing a tank will bypass you. If you buy a kit, then buy a “compact” or plumbing with a lower location of the tank, as the upper location of the tank is extremely uneconomical in consuming space and spoils the aesthetics of the room.
3. If you choose a toilet bowl and a tank with a shelf for it, then give preference to a molded shelf - it does not have any vulnerabilities characteristic of a design with a separate shelf for a tank. In addition, the molded shelf does not need a rubber cuff connecting it to the toilet, and it is much easier to mount the tank on the molded shelf.
4. Choose plumbing that has an anti-splash system - it is designed to compensate for excess splashes during operation of the toilet. The markings of many device models indicate the presence of such an option, but it is better to check it in practice. To determine if an anti-splash system exists, pay attention to the drain hole:
   1. It should be made in a special geometric shape, as narrow as possible and recessed into the lower part of the toilet.
   2. The drain hole should be offset relative to the axis of symmetry to one side.
   3. The water column level in the hole should be significantly reduced, and a circular rim is designed along its contour, which performs the compensation functions.

Important! Progress does not stand still, and of course, he did not bypass such a necessary hygiene item as a toilet:

• Recently widespread use of toilet bidets.
• Another popular upgrade is auto wash, a rather useful invention for forgetful citizens.
• And for those who love comfort - a heated seat, which can be carried out both automatically, that is, constantly, and the moment you start using the toilet.

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Stock footage

We hope that our information helped you determine the choice of plumbing - both in technical terms and in design decisions. Good luck