Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Flawless Flushing - Strategies to Keep Your Toilet Trouble Free

Is there a more aggravating situation in your day than to have a toilet not flush properly? As long as a toilet is working as it should, it's easy to not give it a second thought. Rather than wait for a toilet to act up, take a pro-active approach to minimize toilet troubles.

Tips to insure flawless flushing; here's a baker's dozen:

1. Don't use a toilet for a trash can or garbage disposer. Rather than list all the items that shouldn't be flushed down a toilet, I'll list the safe ones. A toilet is designed for the purpose of disposing of human waste and toilet tissue ... that's it ... end of story.

2. All paper is not created equal; toilet tissue is especially designed to quickly breakup in water whereas many other papers such as paper towels actually advertise how strong they are and how they hold together when wiping up liquids. Keep a waste paper basket in the bathroom for such things as facial tissues, sanitary products, paper towels, flushable wipes, etc.

3. Be kind to your toilets. Treat your toilet tanks and bowls like the "china bowls" they are; they can and will crack if abused. BE CAREFUL with tools around a toilet, don't compound the problem when making a repair in your bathroom. It's unlikely that you will be able to fix a cracked toilet bowl or tank.

4. Don't use a toilet for a ladder or stepstool. Don't stand or sit on a toilet tank lid. And don't put a lot of pressure on a tank by leaning back against it.

5. Throw out a toilet bowl cleaning brush once the bristles wear down and any metal is showing. Once the bowl is scratched, it's impossible keep clean, and you won't be able to repair the scratches. A plastic brush is less likely to scratch the china.

6. Don't store small or heavy items on the lid of the toilet tank or on a shelf above to minimize the risk of a something falling in, such as toys, brushes, combs, etc. A tooth brush that gets stuck in the interior passageway of a toilet bowl that can't be dislodged means replacing the toilet. A very heavy item that hits the china bowl could chip or crack the bowl.

7. Don't pour hot liquids into a toilet bowl or tank, the bowl or tank may crack.

8. Don't mix toilet cleaning products. Many of them contain bleach or ammonia; two ingredients that make a dangerous combination when mixed.

9. Help the environment, don't flush old prescriptions down a toilet. A hand full of pills is unlikely to harm a toilet, but according to the Arlington (Texas) Water Utilities, significant advancements in technology and processes have been made. Consequently, pharmaceutical compounds in tiny amounts are able to be detected in our waterways. Pharmaceutical compounds and personal care products are being found at low levels in many of our nation's lakes, rivers, and streams.

10. Do flush a toilet after every use. A crust will begin to form on the bottom of the toilet bowl if urine is allowed to sit in the bowl for long periods. The crust is very difficult to remove.

11. Never use a regular drain snake in a toilet which can permanently scratch the bowl. Make sure to only use a snake known as a toilet auger designed especially for toilets.

12. During freezing weather make sure the bathroom is heated, otherwise the toilet tank and bowl must be completely drained. In addition, the supply line under the tank should be disconnected and the ballcock drained.

13. Don't use drop-in tank tablets for cleaning a toilet. Whether blue, white or purple, these tablets are not good for the toilet. Some will cause a lazy flush which forces you to flush one, two or more times to completely clear a bowl. This lazy flush is also known as the blue goo phenomenon.

Tag : toilet,toilet paper,toilet repair,toilet wall,flush toilet

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kay_Keating

Thursday, 17 February 2011

The Differences Between Traditional and Modern Toilets

There are list of things you should consider when designing a bathroom. Fixtures and sinks are possibly your top priorities. However, if you want a bathroom that reflects your creativity, it's necessary to consider the toilet. You can choose between traditional and modern toilets. If you want to add classic elegance to your bathroom design, then you can prefer a traditional toilet. If you want to create a fun and contemporary look to your bathroom, then you can choose a modern toilet type.

If you want to buy a traditional toilet at a discounted price, you can search online. Many bathroom stores that do business online offer this kind of toilets at a lower rate. A common model of a traditional toilet has a flush system that is generated by a pull chain. The waterproof receptacle of a traditional toilet that holds liquid is placed on top resting on the wall. This receptacle for liquid, or commonly called a toilet cistern, is attached to the toilet pan through a drainpipe. The traditional toilet's flushing system is the simplest form of flushing methods. A gravity flushing system produces less noise and is very efficient because the gravity increases the flow of water but a gravity fed toilet is really difficult to repair and consumes more water. Today's traditional-type toilets are generally made of ceramics that are really different from the original pieces which are purely made of heavy metals.

Though ceramics are commonly used to produce traditional type toilets, there are still suppliers that provide toilet cisterns created from steel. Modern toilets on the other hand are more expensive because they use new concepts of flushing systems such as pressure-assisted and dual flush systems but you can purchase them at a lower price them from bathroom shops online. Pressure-assisted flush is the latest form of flushing system. It's easy to flush toilets with this kind of flushing system. Apart from that, the system also decreases possibilities for clogging but they are noisier compared to the gravity flushing system. Some modern type of toilets have advanced features such as heated seat and ozone deodorant that helps eliminate odors. Some modern toilets also have air conditioning under the rim. This is definitely good and convenient especially during warm seasons. Learning the qualities and benefits of traditional and modern toilets can help you decide which one suits your needs and fancy.

Nowadays, manufacturers produced more creative modern toilets since these kinds are more popular than traditional toilets. Modern toilets don't only come in different colors like pink, blue, green and purple but they also come in fun, eye-catching and even humorous designs. There are a lot inspirational designs online you can have for your bathroom. Since you spend time in your bathroom, these unique contemporary styles can help you get rid of boredom. Choosing between traditional and modern toilets can be exciting and tricky but whatever type of toilet you want for your bathroom, you have to make sure that it is really functional and will give you much comfort.

There are list of things you should consider when designing a bathroom. Fixtures and sinks are possibly your top priorities. However, if you want a bathroom that reflects your creativity, it's necessary to consider the toilet.

Tag : toilet,traditional toilet,modern toilet,toilet paper,toilet seats,toilet repair

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amaan_Goyal

Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Corner Toilet Design Ideas

Corner toilets are the toilets which can be adjusted into small space or can be adjusted into less area, it does not matter what is the size of the persons rest room. Corner toilet unit will help the person to take the advantage on the rest room that is on the hand and it also gives a good look to the person house. If any person wants to re-model its bathroom or rest room than he or she can prefer to these kind of toilets which looks good and give a cool, attractive look to the viewer.

Now a day many companies have constructed this kind of bathroom or rest room. Kohler toilets, American Standard toilets, Toto toilets and many more provide these kind of amazing corner toilets for the outlay.Although the fact that it is curious that the rest rooms must have need of a corner toilet unit and despite it they gives a good look to the rest room. Corner toilets are those toilets which can solve the space saving problems and that can be easily fill an unused corner, and provide a good amount of storage for bathroom, towels, cosmetics and accessories. Corner toilets designed for the corner escalating are an amazing and wonderful invention that can really save the unused space. The corner toilets manufacturers all produce them, both in modern drawn out style design, or in a more traditional round bowl and many more designs.

For once, it doesn't matter what is the size of a person's bathroom is. It is a bizarre as that statement may sound, somebody's inventive idea of creating a toilet unit that can be set up in a corner of any size which has made it possible for a person to maximize the space that is available to him or her, but they can also add a certain touch of different style to his or her bath room allowing it to stand out of the rest of the bathrooms in the home. If a person or one who prefers that their toilet be constructed up in an olden world feel, then he or she can choose to install a high tank with a pull chain instead of the normal one piece toilet tank or shelf top unit that would look great in color of bronze coupled with a toilet unit in white vitreous china.

A person can have a lot of fun with this setup, or can put up a corner bath in the opposite corner creating the chimera of open space that will make using a smaller bathroom less than it has to be. While it is rare that new bath rooms may require the use of toilets out of necessity, a number of buildings would benefit from these toilets and if a person has a clumsily shaped bath room, a corner toilet unit can be the easily perfect fit. The role of a corner toilet towards helps in creating an organized bathroom and clean is gigantic.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amaan_Goyal

Monday, 17 January 2011

Eco Toilets For the Home

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the entire house, and a major source of water waste and inefficiency. Showers and toilets are two of the biggest consumers of water.

According to a 2009 report released by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States flushes over 4.8 million gallons of water per year and the average American flushes 9000 gallons of water per year. The report also stated that replacing flush toilets that use 3.5 gallons per flush with eco toilets that use 1.6 gallons per flush will result in a 34% savings in household water consumption.

There are a variety of different toilets that homeowners can install to reduce water consumption, save money, and save the environment. Many homeowners are choosing to install eco toilets such as the dual flush toilet to reduce water consumption.

The dual flush toilet works by providing the user with a half flush option and a full flush option on the same toilet. Typically a user would choose a half flush for urine and a full flush for feces. The half flush option only uses 0.79 gallons of water per flush, compared to the 1.6 gallons of water required for a full flush.

Many satisfied users report that the half flush is adequate for almost all flushing needs, and that the full flush is rarely needed. Experts suggest that a household can reduce household flush volumes by 68% using a dual flush toilet.

The composting toilet is gaining popularity around the world, and is just beginning to be introduced into American markets. Composting eco toilets work by using naturally-occurring bacteria to break down human waste into a usable compost material called humus.

The toilets do not use any water, are completely self contained, and all waste is collected and composted in the same unit. The toilets are carefully constructed with a special venting and air flow system to prevent unpleasant odors, bugs, and pests.

The composting toilet can even accommodate regular toilet tissue. A composting toilet is more expensive than a regular or dual flush toilet, and will require professional installation to ensure that the venting system is properly installed.

The squat toilet, although common in Eastern countries, is rarely used in the United States. These eco toilets are located flush to the ground, and the user must sit in squatted position to use the toilet.

The waste is removed by pouring water into the bowl with a hose or bucket. A squat toilet requires much less water than a conventional toilet, and many experts believe that it is more sanitary, as the buttocks and thighs do not come into contact with the toilet surface.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ezra_Plank

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

A Toilet For Every Space

The basic components of a toilet include washbasin, toilet seat, flush and shower or bathtub in the bathing area. Here we find that to fix these components together, toilets require too much of wall space. The cisterns or tanks too wide and often tend to have the water inlet and overflow on the side of the tank, which takes up even more wall space. Redesigning an old toilet into a new one, with the best of the facilities in the available small space is a tedious task.

Today with the alarming increase in the population the land areas are getting quite expensive. Due to this people get comparatively smaller homes. Due to this, the size of toilets has greatly shrunken. People try to utilize every nook and corner of the home judiciously.

Though large toilets are a bliss because there a person spends a lot of time to rejuvenate and energize still the need of the hour is to find alternatives that utilize less space yet retaining the beauty of the ceramic palace, thus making toilet big enough to be used by all, and small enough to fit into the available space.Sanitary manufacturers in the field of hygiene products have come up with a range of pioneering products that require a bit too less of the wall and floor area, yet retain the spaciousness of a toilet. The innovative designs and product automation has opened whole new grounds for work and development for proper and careful space utilization. They have come up with a range of toilet designs like 2 piece toilet, a 1 piece toilet, a floor mount toilet, a wall mount toilet, a concealed tank toilet, a comfort height toilet and a corner toilet. Also the colors of the walls have a great effect. Light color paints in a small bathroom to give a feeling of space. Apart from that the direction of light and mirror placing also add to the feeling of space.

Corner toilets are one of the one of the best ways for utilizing the corner spaces. A pedestal sink does not take up the visual space or floor space that a cabinet does and will make a smaller area look larger. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. For toilets of small spaces, plumbing is done such that it enters cistern from below instead of the side and the size of the cistern is chosen no more than 16 inches. Apart from this, round bowl fronts are preferred, rather than the usual elongated ones. A round-front toilet extends 25 to 28 inches from the wall while elongated toilet extends 29 to 31 inches. The round toilet bowls are shorter in length by a full 2 inches, making this choice a particularly useful toilet for small spaces - just perfect for when space is at a premium. There are a variety of variations available for the smaller toilets that can definitely be called as A Toilet for every space.

The basic components of a toilet include washbasin, toilet seat, flush and shower or bathtub in the bathing area. Here we find that to fix these components together, toilets require too much of wall space. The cisterns or tanks too wide and often tend to have the water inlet and overflow on the side of the tank, which takes up even more wall space. Wall Hung Toilets are a good option for small bathrooms.

Tag : toilet,toilet peper,toilet repair,toilet wall,toilet water

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amaan_Goyal

Sunday, 2 January 2011

Sun-Mar Composting Toilets - A Few More Frequently Asked Questions

Let's face it, composting toilets are a very complex and little understood product. Many consumers don't even realize that compost toilets are actually odorless and present a great eco-friendly alternative for residential homes in urban and suburban areas. Through our website, we receive all kinds of questions from our visitors and customers about composting toilet systems, how they work, and their various pros and cons. Below are a few more of our most frequently asked questions that may be helpful to other consumers who are considering a composting toilet system or simply comparing brands. Please be sure to note that all the information in this article pertains specifically to Sun-Mar composting toilet systems.

1. Do I have to use a special kind of toilet paper in a composting toilet?
No. You can use any type of toilet paper you want, it will break down without a problem.

2. Can baby wipes, tampons, diaper liners, paper towels, or other similar items be put in the toilet?
No. We recommend keeping these and similar products out of the toilet because they can affect the capacity. When you choose a compost toilet system, the most important consideration is the capacity rating. Sun-Mar systems have capacity ratings based on the number of people using the toilet per day. If you add other products to the toilet, this will throw off the capacity and can cause a problem.

3. How do I clean my Sun-Mar system?
The outside of the toilet can be cleaned using any type of regular household cleaner of your choosing. Around the rim of the bowl and inside the bowl of the toilet, we recommend using Compost Quick Cleaning Spray. This is a special toilet and bowl cleaner designed for composting toilets. It contains a compost accelerating agent that will aide in the breakdown process of your compost. If you don't want to use Compost Quick, you can also use a solution of hot water and baking soda. You should not use chemical toilet bowl cleaners in your composting toilet, because these products can kill the aerobic bacteria that are a vital part of the composting process.

4. Is a compost toilet difficult to install? Do I need a professional installer?
No. In most cases, Sun-Mar composting toilets are a do-it-yourself installation. Before purchasing any system, be sure to download a copy of the product manual which contains complete installation instructions. We encourage our customers to read these manuals thoroughly before purchasing a unit so they will understand what is involved in installing the system before it arrives.

5. What is the expected life of a composting toilet?
The expected life of a Sun-Mar compost toilet is 20 to 25 years. However, homeowners should expect that some parts in the toilet, such as electrical fans or heaters, may wear out sooner and need to be replaced. Replacement components are readily available directly from the manufacturer.

Tag : toilet,compost toilet,toilet peper,toilet repair,toilet system

Thursday, 23 December 2010

Dual Flush Toilets and Kits - Advantages and Disadvantages

Dual flush toilets are becoming more and more popular throughout the world. With a growing awareness and the need to conserve water, as well and more significant droughts throughout the world, people are turning to ways they can conserve water in their own homes. These toilets are used widely throughout the rest of the world, but slowly becoming a popular choice among residents of the United States and Canada.

If you are considering purchasing these water efficient and "green" toilets, you will want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of these water efficient toilets. These environmentally friendly units offer two flush volumes: one volume for fluids and the other for solids.

Is it worth abandoning the standard flush system and going for a full replacement or a dual flush toilet conversion kit? Below are some advantages and disadvantages of both.

Advantages

Save Water

There is no doubt that a these water efficient toilets are very highly efficient and are in compliance of the National Energy Policy Act of 1994. These dual flushing toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to older standard toilets that use more than 3.5 gallons per flush. As mentioned, these dual flushing toilets and kits feature two flush volumes on every model. The lower volume or the liquid flush, uses less than 1.1 gallons per flush. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we can save up to 4,000 gallons of water every year by converting our toilets to the dual flush system.

Saves Money

Water bills can decrease by hundreds of dollars. Along with that, in different provinces in Canada and states in the U.S., rebates are given to consumers who purchase HET a dual flushing toilet with a WaterSense label. The EPA provides an extensive list of toilets from well-known toilet manufacturers. These include, Caroma, American Standard, Kohler and Toto. The WaterSense label indicates that a dual flush toilet is not only "green" but also of a high quality.

The best savings is through a dual flush conversion kit. For about $30 and a couple of hours in an afternoon, you can convert your own regular toilet into a water efficient dual flush toilet. Prices of a brand new water efficient toilet can start around $250 U.S. for economy models and can go up for luxury models.

Clog Less

Most dual flush toilets are made to use gravity to remove waste through a large trapway, rather than old-fashioned pressure siphoning. The trapway is large enough to reduce incidence of clogging.

Disadvantages:

May Be Hard to Install

Some models of these toilets may be difficult for the do it yourselfer and may require professional installation. According to reviews at Amazon.com, and eFaucets, the ease of installation will vary by the model and the experience of the person installing the dual flush toilet. These toilet conversion kits like the one2flush conversion kit will cost around $30 and a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon. Any do it yourselfer can have a dual flush toilet at a fraction of the cost using a kit like the one2flush conversion kit.

Can Be Expensive

Many dual flush toilet models can start at around $250 and go up from there. That is why a conversion kit may be the best choice for most home owners. You can easily convert your own toilet into a dual flush toilet with these conversion kits.

What To Do With Your Old Toilet?

Of course with every new toilet purchased, you need to get rid of the old one. If you are environmentally conscious then you know that your old toilet will increase waste in the land fields. With an increase in technology, scientists and environmentalists are looking for ways to recycle old toilets. To save money and the land fields, using a conversion kit is a smart solution.

Conclusion:

These bathroom fixtures and conversion kits will save money, reduce waste and are eco-friendly. If a full toilet replacement is not an option, a dual flush retrofit may be the best option when striving to make the bathroom plumbing more water efficient.

To save hundreds of dollars on a new toilet, check out these reviews and to get more information about the one2flush dual flushing conversion kit at dual flush toilets

Tag : toilet,toilet training,toilet paper,toilet repair,flush toilet

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aleta_Grahm

Tuesday, 14 December 2010

Toilet For Small Spaces

Toilets come in a variety of styles and models. Some of which are one-piece models and others two-piece units. There is even the composting model for the eco-friendly touch. Models of toilets tend to be categorized, however, by the design of the flush, most of which tend to be reverse trap flush cisterns. A more expensive design is the siphon jet which also has the advantage of being more efficient. There is also the half-flush system which seems to be more popular in some countries than in others. The cistern isn't the end of the story, of course. When choosing a toilet you can decide between a wall-hung design or a low level cistern toilet; one of the traditional high-level cistern toilets; a low-level cistern toilet that has its back attached to the wall; closed coupled cistern toilet; an increasingly popular option is the composting toilet; and then, of course, you can always take a visit to Japan to view their fabulous Toto toilet which can only be purchased in Japan at present.

The Traditional Toilet

The traditional toilet often tends to take up too much wall space. Not just with the toilet bowl and cistern, but with water inlets being on the side of the cistern while the overflow may also be on the side. Of the various different models, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps one of the better choices for a toilet for small spaces would be the wall hung toilet which can be set at varying heights and due to its absence of appendages, can create a remarkable feeling of space in a room that is smaller than average.

Corner Cistern Unit

In a confined space, there is nothing to stop you fitting a corner toilet. These toilets are not as unusual as they sound - and it's the cistern that fits into the corner, rather than the toilet bowl. Ideal Standard is one of the companies that produce a corner toilet for small spaces: the model is one of the Space ranges which, although only available in white, conform to Ideal Standard E7172, E7091, and E7204. It is only sold as a complete set, comprising bowl, corner cistern and toilet seat. The actual height of the toilet bowl is 395mm and, because the cistern is recessed into an available corner, this model makes the ideal design for a toilet for small spaces.

Innovative Designs

While solving the problem of providing a toilet for small spaces calls for innovative thinking, I think the Toto is probably a little too innovative - apart from taking up a bit too much space either side of the toilet bowl with its 'all-singing-all-dancing' routines of taking your blood pressure and analyzing your urine then relaying the resultant information on to your doctor! However, manufacturers of toilet porcelain do, in fact, make smaller toilets - some far too petite to be a great deal of use. For a toilet for small spaces you need to be looking for plumbing that enters the cistern from below instead of the side, with the cistern being no wider than 16 inches. However, when you do need a toilet for small spaces, you might consider a round front bowl, rather than one of the elongated ones. The round toilet bowls are shorter in length by a full 2 inches, making this choice a particularly useful toilet for small spaces - just perfect for when space is at a premium.