10 Tips on How to Choose a Toilet: Comfort and Quality Matters

Leaking toilet with the broken flushing system, clogged pipes and wobbling seat shouldn’t remain in your house for too long, especially if you take into consideration the number of times you use it every single day.

It’s not only the matter of your personal comfort (even though one has to feel comfy while scrolling through the Instagram and sitting in the bathroom) but also of the house safety and water efficiency. Old faulty toilets may break down and flood your house with you know what any moment. Besides, they use twice the amount of water their newer alternatives do per a single flush. Thus, they deteriorate your water efficiency and add unnecessary dollars to your water bill.

But, when you understand that the toilet replacement is inevitable, you need to approach toilet shopping quite seriously and not to get fooled by the exclusive shop offers and high prices, which do not always stand for the top quality. These tips will walk you through the shopping process and prepare you to choose the most comfortable and qualitative pedestal within a reasonable budget.

After you do so, make sure to hire an experienced plumber to get your brand new ceramic throne installed professionally, as the high quality of the toilet installation directly influences its lifespan and minimizes the breakdowns and pipe issues.

10 tips to buy the best toilet for your bathroom

1. It’s all about the flush. Powerful flush is one of the key points you should pay attention to when determining the quality of a toilet, as it ensures the clean finish and effective water use. As the production standards require manufacturers to reduce the amount of water the toilets release for a single flush, it’s the power of the flush that does most of the removal job. Shop for a toilet at the bathroom centers, where they have a bunch of pedestals installed, and conduct a flush test. You may also check out toilet reviews on Consumerreports.org to see how other consumers like certain types and models of modern toilets.
2. Opt for the pressure-assisted models for better water efficiency, more waste removal power and  toilet tank drip+sweat control, but stick to the gravity-feed ones if you don’t like noisy flushes. Consider buying a dual-flush toilet to be able to control the amount of flushed water depending on your needs and improve your water efficiency even more. 
3. Be aware of the sizes. While standard toilets are made to fit into the standard 12-inch gap between the wall and the toilet outlet, you may also find 10-14-inch options to meet different bathroom dimensions. Thus, you need to measure that distance to be able to get the toilet that fits into the space available at your bathroom.
4. Don’t be shy to do the sit test. If you find a high-quality appliance, you’ll be stuck with it for 10 years or more. So, make sure to get the one you find really comfortable to sit on. And, it’s not only the shape of the seat that might influence your choice. Most people note, that higher pedestals (17-19-inch tall bowls instead of standard 15-inch ones) are a lot more comfortable to use. They’re not just easier to get on and get off. They’re also better for our backs and knees. However, additional height causes additional costs. And, you might want to stick to the standard height if you’re choosing a toilet for the kids’ bathroom.
5. Get educated about the prices. You should be comfortable anywhere from $300-700. Toilets that cost less than won’t surprise you with proper quality and durability, even if the manufacturer and the seller try to prove that wrong. If you can afford the more expensive toilet, go ahead and by one, but I don’t think that you should overstep your budget for ‘special additional features’ those high-end toilets have. It’s just a toilet, right?
6. If you need a compact appliance, stick to the round shape of its bowl. But, bear in mind that you might find it less comfortable than the elongated one.
7. Opt for the braided and flexible stainless steel water supply lines to minimize the leaks and repairs. Don’t forget about the individual shut-off valve to be able to cut off your toilet’s water connection when you need to stop it from flooding the house without leaving the rest of your home with no water.
8. Don’t get one-piece or wall-hung pedestals unless you plan to hire a professional plumber who’s qualified enough to conduct all necessary plumbing system remodels (for the wall-hung one) and install those types of toilets safely. Don’t attempt lifting and installing one-piece bowls on your own, as they’re too heavy for one unprofessional person to handle.
9. Pick the color carefully. Latest bathroom design trends might persuade you to buy a boldly-colored toilet. However, you need to take into consideration the fact that some colors don’t age as well as others do. That applies both to the functional and design side of the issue. Traditional white or black thrones won’t let you down, though.
10. If you want a cushioned seat for your pedestal, be ready to change it quite often, as it will crack and get ruined pretty fast.