Seven Features to Consider in Toto Toilets

Whether your old one just went kaput or it’s time to upgrade from the olive green one circa 1970, selecting just the right toilet can be a bit more complicated than one may think. As such, here are the seven features you should consider when choosing from the wide range of Toto toilets to help you find the one that fits just right.

Gravity-Fed vs. Pressure-Assist
Determine which type of toilet you prefer: gravity-fed or pressure-assist. While they tend to be more expensive, gravity-fed toilets typically perform better; they use water from the tank to create a siphon action to draw waste through the trapway. A pressure-assist toilet uses compressed air to force the water into the bowl, pushing the waste down. Pressure-assist toilets are noisy than gravity-fed ones but are more common since they are less expensive.

One-Piece or Two?
While they are easier to clean and more contemporary, one-piece toilets tend to be more expensive than two-piece toilets, in which the tank and the bowl are two separate pieces. Since they are generally cheaper, two-piece toilets tend to be more common.

Determine Your Water Pressure
Since pressure-assist toilets require minimum of 25 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure to function properly, make sure you check your home’s water pressure before making a purchase. If you have low water pressure, opt for a gravity-fed toilet which requires a much less psi.

Pick Your Shade
While white continues to be the standard, these days toilets come in a wide range of colors, from beige to blue and everything in between.

The Bowl Shape
Toilet bowls come in two different shapes: round and elongated. Round toilet bowls are approximately two inches smaller than elongated ones, which can save space but they don’t tend to be as comfortable. Most toilet manufacturers offer models with both types of bowls.

Dual-Flush Toilets
Dual-flush toilets allow you to flush according to the type of waste; solid waste needs 1.6 gallons to flush but liquid waste only needs .8 gallons. While they are more expensive, dual-flush toilets can save a significant amount of water in the long run.

Choose Your Seat
Most two-piece toilets do not include a seat so it will need to be purchased separately. The type of seat you choose will depend on the bowl size and what type of material you prefer: plastic or wood.