We spend enough time in the toilet in our life. It is logical to try to equip this room with maximum comfort. If you take into account its modest size, purpose and peculiarities of operation, it is not an easy task.
The main sanitary appliance is a toilet bowl. It should be practical, beautiful, easy to care for. In this article, let’s figure out how to choose a toilet bowl, so it is really easy to use and maintain.
And also focus on the main criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing a suitable model.
Types of toilet bowls
The design determines the appearance, the complexity of installation of the toilet bowl, as well as the ease of use and maintenance.
Floor Mount Toilet Bowl
The most familiar variety, when the sanitary ware has a “leg” and is attached to the floor.
The tank of such devices is behind the seat and comes in two types:
1. There is a separate shelf for the cistern, and it is installed on it. Such a design is easy to repair, because you can easily replace the worn-out part.
2. Hanging water tank is characteristic of retro models. The tank is located above the main unit, most often under the ceiling. This creates additional pressure when flushing, so it is much more effective. In the past, such systems were found in every house, but now it is quite rare and expensive specimen.
Wall Hung Toilet Bowl
It has two fundamental differences from the previous version: no connection to the floor and a hidden cistern. In fact, within sight is only the bowl and the flush button. All other elements: the container, communications are hidden behind the false wall.
To ensure that the suspended model can withstand heavy loads, it is mounted on a special installation frame, which is mounted in the wall with welding and anchors. Therefore, you should not worry about the fact that the toilet will collapse under the weight of a fat man: correctly mounted installation can withstand a very large weight.
Such toilets look very impressive and concise precisely because of the absence of unnecessary details in sight. This allows you to free up space in the bathroom. In addition, there is additional noise isolation, and the sound of filling and emptying the cistern is not so noticeable.
On the other hand, the installation of such devices is very complicated and difficult: you probably have to involve professionals and make repairs in the toilet. If any part fails, the repair is more complex because of the not very convenient location of the main nodes.
Another significant disadvantage is the high cost, which is many times higher than for Floor mount Toilet.
Criteria for choosing a toilet
Before you go to the store, you need to study all the characteristics of plumbing. On the most important of them, we will dwell in detail.
Toilet water draining
What type of outlet you need, you should find out even before you go to the store. To do this, examine the socket of the entrance to the sewer pipe.
- Horizontal
- Angular
- Vertical
- Universal
No special advantages of one or the other type of outlet. Which of them to prefer, depends on the organization of the sewer system in your house.
Toilet connection to the water supply
This parameter characterizes how the water supply system is connected to the cistern. The supply hose can be located:
On the side is not the best choice, because during the filling of the tank, the water flows downward and a loud gurgling is formed. In a small apartment this is annoying. In addition, the hose becomes visible and often spoils the aesthetic picture;
Bottom – in this position, the hose is invisible, and the liquid flows into the tank almost silently.
Flushing system in the toilet
The mechanism of the flush affects not only the efficiency of removal of impurities, but also the water consumption.
There are the following systems:
- Conventional – when flushing, the entire volume contained in the tank goes out.
- Adjustable – there are two buttons to control the flush: one flushes a small volume of water 2 – 4 liters, and the other consumes the entire supply of 6 – 8 liters. Also, the amount of liquid to be drained can be adjusted by holding the lever in the raised position. When the lever is lowered, the supply of liquid stops. This shape of the device allows for economical use of the water resource.
In addition to the volume differs and technology of washing bowls. Flushing is:
- Direct is also called cascade and horizontal. The whole volume of the liquid flows along the back wall. This creates a strong head and impurities are easily washed away. However, most of the surface of the bowl is not affected, so it quickly accumulates dirt and has to resort to manual cleaning.
- Circular in another way, circular and shower. Water moves in a special trough, so that the entire surface is washed evenly. This reduces the frequency of cleaning, but reduces the flow pressure, which can cause problems with the effectiveness of the removal of dirt. In addition, it is not uncommon for limescale to clog the holes in the gutter.
Toilet bowl shape
Look inside the toilet and examine the shape of the bowl.
1. Flat is the hole of the drain extends slightly forward, and in front of it there is a small shelf with a recess. after use for its intended purpose products of life remain on this shelf and already from there are washed away with water. This creates two features: the absence of splashing while on the toilet, but their appearance during the water flush. This shape brings additional complications of operation: water accumulates in the recess, and over time there is lime scale on the contour, which is almost impossible to remove.
2. Visor this combines the previous two options. The hole of the drain is slightly advanced, but the back shelf is not horizontal, but under the slope. Due to this, less splashing is formed at any stage.
3. Funnel-shaped is the sewage outlet is located almost in the middle, so all the impurities fall directly into the flush. This ensures high hygiene: everything goes down the drain without any problems. But the occurrence of a splash while sitting on the toilet is inevitable.
Toilet Anti Splash
As we’ve already found out, the least amount of splashing is created when using plumbing fixtures with a visor bowl. However, not all of them are equipped with an Anti Splash system. And even the presence of such a feature in the description and assurances of the seller are not a guarantee. To find out whether there is an Anti Splash option in the model you like, pay attention to the following points:
- The drain hole should be quite narrow and recessed to the bottom
- The water level in it is low
- There is a shallow rim around the hole
If the design features are visible at a cursory glance at the toilet, then how to determine the liquid level, many people do not know. Although to do it is simple: experts advise to look at the outlet channel and assess the height of its lowest point. That will be the liquid level.
Toilet Material
To pick up a toilet with good performance parameters, you still need to know what toilets are made of.
Faience
For the production of sanitary ware, a special kind of this material sanitary ware is used. It is durable, looks attractive, but has a porous structure, which leads to two problems at once:
Dirt is absorbed into the pores, so it is harder to clean such items;
the material absorbs water and gradually deteriorates. This leads to the fact that sooner or later the device will crack, and it is possible that a whole piece of it will break off.
But before that happens it will be at least two or three decades. Modern manufacturers are trying to extend service life and use new firing technology, as well as a layer of protective coating.
All budget models are made of sanitary ware, although there are expensive ones among them. If funds are limited, then feel free to stop your choice on sanitary ware products.
Porcelain
Porcelain products are difficult for the average man to distinguish from the sanitary ware, as the two materials are similar in appearance. But the cost of porcelain exceeds the price of sanitary ware by at least two times. Why so?
The whole secret in the production: in the manufacture of porcelain, quartz and feldspar are added to the white clay, which makes it denser and harder. Such surfaces do not absorb moisture and dirt. They have a service life of up to 50-60 years.
Steel
Quite a rare device, although it is very high quality: it looks stylish, very durable, does not absorb liquids and is easy to clean.
Such sanitary ware is often installed in public toilets because of its durability. They are almost impossible to break, bend or crack.
For apartments, steel toilets are more often performed according to individual designs, so it will cost a lot of money to install such a piece.
Artificial and natural stone
This is a variant for affluent lovers of the unusual. Models made of artificial or natural stone are rarely found in retail sales, usually they are made to order. The cost of such items is very high.
In daily use, stone products behave well: the structure of the material is such that even a small pressure perfectly removes all impurities, and therefore it is not difficult to take care of them. They are resistant to mechanical stress and durable.
Plastic
Most often, plastic devices are made of acrylic. Very budgetary, but unreliable type: it quickly cracks, is covered with scratches and dents, especially with temperature changes and the use of abrasive cleaning agents.
These toilets are often used in portable outdoor toilets because of the low price, easy and quick installation. For the home, they are unlikely to be suitable, except as a temporary option.
Conclusion
Despite the apparent simplicity, the nuances in choosing a toilet bowl a lot. And it is important not to lose sight of any detail, because with the toilet will have to meet several times a day for decades.
Throw out modesty and do not hesitate to sit down on the toilet bowl that has come to you: you have to be comfortable. Study carefully all the features and ask the seller. Do not hurry, so you won’t regret your rash choice.
