THREE ADVANTAGES OF CONVERTING YOUR TOILET TO DUAL FLUSH
Some toilets are dual flush, which means they have separate flushes for liquid and solid waste. The main advantage of a dual flush toilet is you can conserve water without sacrificing flushing power. If you want a dual flush toilet you can either buy a brand new toilet or you can retrofit or convert your existing toilet to dual flush. Converting your existing toilet to dual flush has a few major advantages.
- WATER CONSERVATION
The biggest advantage of having a dual flush toilet is saving water with every flush. Water conservation is a serious issue, especially in drought-prone areas. Toilets account for nearly 30% of a home’s water usage according to the EPA, and older toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush. New dual-flush options can use less than 2 gallons per flush for liquid waste, representing a significant decrease in water usage.
- PRICE
Converting an existing toilet to a dual-flush toilet using a conversion kit is far less expensive than purchasing an entirely new toilet. The nicest kits can cost a few hundred dollars, but an adequate kit that will present the same benefits can be had for fewer than $100.The money you spend can be made up in water saved very quickly.
- EASY INSTALL
Each conversion kit has its own installation instructions but for the most part, these kits are extremely easy to install. Some kits even boast installation time of 10 minutes. Most kits only require you to remove the lid to your toilet tank and make a few simple adjustments and attachments with simple tools. Even the most intricate of kits are much quicker and easier to install than an entire new toilet.
What are a macerating toilet and sewage ejector pump?
When you flush a normal toilet, it sends the waste through a trap, into a waste line and onto the mainline where it travels to the sewer or septic tank. The drain line on a normal toilet is below the level of it, so gravity pulls the contents of the waste line into it.
Macerating toilets send the waste to a macerating unit located behind the toilet or in the wall. High-powered blades then liquefy the waste, sending it out of the unit through a normal pipe that is tied to the main drain line. Unfortunately, macerating toilets are more expensive than regular ones, but it’s far easier to connect a small-diameter pipe to an existing system rather than redoing the entire bathroom. It’s also much cheaper, too.
For those who believe they are out of luck because their toilet location is below the main drain, don’t worry, we have a solution for you too. Because waste doesn’t need to be liquefied for easier transport through the small-diameter pipe, you can install a sewage ejector pump. There’s no transport involved at all; it just needs to get into the main drain. While they are similar to other pumps, they can do something that others can’t: pass solids. The pump sits in a sealed sump pit basin, where everything is discharged. The float switch normally controls the entire operation, turning the pump on once the water in the basin reaches a certain level.
So, if you had always dreamed about installing that toilet in the basement or in the garage so you didn’t have to run all the way upstairs to do your business, you are finally in luck. Keep in mind that these bathrooms, if maintained and installed properly, can last for a long time.
The Benefits of Toilet Replacement
Toilets are the workhorses of the bathroom; in fact, these simple fixtures account for up to 27% of your home’s total water usage. However, these vital components of your bathroom’s layout are often overlooked and forgotten until a problem arises, such as a leak or a clog. Toilets aren’t built to last forever, and will eventually require replacement when either a single major issue or several minor problems result in the need for repairs that simply aren’t worth the money the plumbing work will cost. Knowing when to replace your toilets and how your home can benefit from toilet replacement can help you determine when it’s time to begin exploring today’s many available toilet models.
A More Efficient Toilet
With toilets accounting for such as the significant percentage of your home’s water usage, one of the most obvious benefits of toilet replacement is less water usage per day. Especially if your toilets were installed before 1994, they are not as efficient as newer models for at least one key reason. Federal plumbing manufacturing regulations passed in 1994 required all new toilets to use 1.6 gallons or less per flush; toilets manufactured before these regulations went into effect can use five gallons or more each time the handle is pulled. Simply installing a newer standard model toilet today can reduce your home’s water usage by 23—46% with absolutely no further effort on your part. Newer ultra-low-flush and high-efficiency toilet models can use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush, further reducing your home’s water usage as well as your monthly water bills.
A Problem-Free Toilet
Whether you are suddenly experiencing new plumbing issues with your toilet or it has been giving you intermittent trouble throughout the years, toilet replacement can put an end to this struggle. Frequent clogs or leaks can add up in terms of repair costs, while issues such as a cracked tank or damaged floor seal can render a toilet essentially useless, requiring replacement to restore function and prevent water damage from affecting your home. Rather than continue to spend time and money on a problematic toilet, replacing the fixture is a permanent solution with a one-time cost that will ensure your toilet is matched to your needs and will continue to function for years to come without further issues.
A Stylish Toilet
Toilets are one of the most visible but also most often overlooked bathroom features in terms of style. Today, toilets are available in multiple designs, from those with classical rounded features to sleek, low-profile toilets that can save space in a smaller bathroom or powder room. If you’re considering toilet replacement for other reasons, opting for a toilet that fits the style and available space in your bathroom can give this room a drastic visual boost that will improve its aesthetics and could even increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future. Appealing bathrooms, which include appealing toilet designs, have been shown to help homes sell more quickly and for a higher price than those with lackluster bathroom designs and outdated or unattractive toilets.
What Are Some Low-flow Toilet Problems?
Common complaints about these toilets include noise and flushing or water pressure issues.
They rely on a pressure-assisted system that makes a distinctive “whooshing” sound which tends to be louder than a regular toilet flush.
If they do not operate properly, they may not force waste far enough down the drain, which can lead to clogs and other plumbing system issues.
If the water pressure in your home is not sufficient for the smooth operation of low-flow toilets, they will not eliminate waste with a single flush or work as intended.
Parts Needed for Toilet Replacement
Before you start removing the old toilet, make sure you have everything you need to put the new one in. If you are missing anything, you could have to go several days without use of that bathroom. Some of these parts may be included with the new toilet, but we have included links just in case you need them! Below are some parts for toilet replacement/repair.
- Closet Bolts
- Closet Bolt Covers
- Wax Bowl Ring
- Closet Flange Extension Ring
- Toilet Flapper
- Toilet Tank Lever
- Oatey Liquilock (optional)
Now that you have all the necessary parts, you are ready to get started with the replacement! Make sure you have an adjustable wrench on hand to help with the bolts.