The commode is the centerpiece of any bathroom, and the odds are good that you and your family are going to be using it every single day. So how do you find the right fit for your needs? Generally, plumbers and designers recommend thinking about the “three Fs:” fit, fixture, and flush. Let’s break those down a bit!

Here are the three things to consider when shopping for a new toilet:

1.) Find the Perfect Fit

Size and height are extremely important for finding the right toilet to fit in your unique space. When searching, be sure to consider the “rough-in” distance, or the distance from the finished wall to the center of the sewer drain for the toilet. The standard rough-in measurement is 12 inches, so most toilets will suit your needs; if your bathroom has a more unique rough-in – say, 10 or 14 inches – your search will be more limited.

Next, think about the size of the bowl: For smaller bathrooms, a round bowl (generally about 28 inches from the wall) may suit your needs better than a standard elongated bowl (31 in.). If you’re more interested in comfort, most experts will recommend you go for the elongated.

Comfort also comes into play when you’re considering your new toilet’s height. While 14 inches is the standard height for most toilets, taller or less-mobile users may prefer a taller-than-average toilet for comfort and access.

2.) Find the Fixture Style That’s Right for You

There are two main considerations for style: How many pieces do you want your new toilet to be, and do you want a wall- or floor-mounted model?

On the more standard two-piece toilet, the tank bolts on top of the bowl. This is both more common and less expensive than a one-piece style, in which the tank and bowl are combined. A one-piece toilet, however, is typically easier to clean and clean around.

The same holds true for a wall-mounted toilet: This feature adds a dramatic, high end look to your bathroom and makes cleaning a breeze, but it can run you more than a standard toilet due to installation costs (since you’ll need a thicker wall to mount the toilet and hold the tank) and maintenance (which could require you to open up the wall).

3.) Find the Most Efficient Flush

Using gravity or a power-assisted flush, most conventional low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. However, some more environmentally-conscious homeowners may want to look into dual-flush technology (which uses different amounts of water depending on what’s getting flushed away).

Once you have these basics squared away, we encourage you to look into add-ons, including bidets or heated seats. After all, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home!

And remember, if anything goes wrong with your toilet, sink, or any other part of your plumbing system, we’re here to help, day or night! Drop Combat Plumbing a line with all of your plumbing questions or concerns!