It doesn't matter if you're renovating or building a new bathroom, selecting the right toilet for you can be daunting. It can be difficult to know where to begin!
This is the complete guide to toilets. It includes styles, common issues and buying tips.
Key Terms
There are some key terms to remember when talking about toilets.
Pan - The porcelain bowl in the toilet that you do your business into
Cistern - The water tank that stores the water for flushing is located at the top of the toilet or in the wall. The parts of a toilet cistern are simple and work together to regulate the flow of water in and out. A flush button or lever is also found on all cisterns.
Seat - This is the oval, plastic flap you use to sit on. It usually comes with a cover that can be removed or moved up and down. You can also choose from a range of sizes (child and adult), colours, and shapes (oval or D-shaped, elongated, etc).
Inlet and Outlet Valves: These valves are located in the cistern. They control water flow. The flush button controls the outlet valve, also known as the flushing mechanism. When pressed, it releases water from the pan. After a flush, the inlet valve fills up the cistern.
Flush Button/Lever - A push or pull button that releases water from the cistern to the toilet bowl. There are many styles and designs. Modern toilets have dual flush technology, which allows you to control how much water is used for flushing.
A trap is a pipe connecting your toilet and your sewer pipes. It has a bend to trap odours. There are three main types of traps: the S-trap, which goes through the floor, a P-trap that goes through the rear wall and a Skew trap that goes through the wall to the side. The toilet's design incorporates trap connections.
Water inlet – An inlet connecting your toilet to the water supply. Water inlet - The water can be accessed from either the top or bottom of the toilet cistern.
Set-out is the distance between the centreline of the waste pipe to the wall (for an S trap) or floor (for a P trap). The set-out measurements of a toilet can vary depending on its condition. If you are renovating, make sure that the toilet's layout matches your existing plumbing.
Toilet Styles
There are four major categories of toilet suites in Australia. They are classified according to how they are installed.
Toilet suite with Link / Connector
Pan and cistern are separate installations, but a pipe connects them. A connecting plate is usually used to cover the pipe. These toilets are very popular in older houses and are a good option for those with limited budgets.
Close Coupled Suite
The cistern is located on top of the pan and forms part of the one-unit. It's easy to retrofit and it looks modern and neat.
Back to Wall Suite
Also called wall facing. The pan's back is flush against the wall. This means there are no gaps between your toilet and the wall. This unit is strong and will give your bathroom a bold look. It is easy to clean because there are no gaps between the toilets and the wall.
Concealed Cistern
The cistern can be found behind a cabinet or cavity and is hidden from view. Only the buttons and pan are visible. These can be wall-hung or back-to-wall.
Care / Accessible Toilet Suites
A variety of toilets are available for those with special needs or accessibility issues.
These toilets come with special features like:
- A higher pan allows for easier wheelchair transfer
- Additional support can be provided by armrests and backrests
- Braille buttons for raised flush buttons
- Blue seats for low vision
These toilets have specific requirements for installation. This is done to ensure that the toilet is as easily accessible as possible.
Common Issues
My toilet doesn't stop running
Your toilet will stop running water after a flush when the toilet bowl is flushed through. Your toilet may not be flushing properly if it has a damaged or defective outlet or inlet valve. Or, the washers inside the valves are worn. It may be more cost-effective to replace the whole cistern than the valves, depending on the type of cistern.
My toilet is clogged
You may be able to remove a blockage from your toilet by using a plunger. You will need to call a plumber if the blockage is deeper than the toilet. Blockages are most often caused by human waste and toilet paper. Tree roots can also block drains.
The toilet's base is leaky
The rubber seal (the pan collar), connects the outlet of the toilet (pan), to the PVC drain. Pan collars may wear down over time and can cause leaks around the base or back of the toilet. On older toilets, there is a second rubber seal called the pan cone that connects to the pan. This seal can also leak and may perish.
My toilet smells bad
By trapping smelly gases from returning to your home, plumbing traps can protect it. The water forms a seal which prevents the gas from returning to your bathroom. Toilet traps without water can cause unpleasant odours.
Tips for buying a new toilet
Although choosing a toilet might seem simple, if you don’t pay attention to the details, you could end up in the returns section at your place of purchase before it is too late!
You will need to determine the exact location of your toilet waste and water pipes. This includes their height, depth, and size. In some cases, the material they are made from (e.g. PVC or steel). Talk to a plumber if you are looking to modify the plumbing to fit the toilet you desire.
You can build a bathroom from scratch and choose any type of toilet that you like, as well as tailor your plumbing to fit it.
Federal regulations require that you install a WELS 4-STAR-rated toilet if you are building a new house. A 3 or 4-star suite is suitable for minor renovations or replacement of an existing toilet.
Comments
Post a Comment