Pressure-assist Toilets
Pressure-assist toilets: These are the most powerful toilets, best suited for large families or heavy use. The toilet’s water supply provides the pressure to compress air within a sealed plastic reservoir inside the tank. When the incoming water reaches the fill line, the tank is pressurized and ready for the next flush. During flushing, the air under pressure creates a loud “whoosh” as water blasts into the bowl; this noise can startle small children and people who like to flush while seated. Up to 80 percent of the flush water is used to purge the bowl, making for a very efficient flush. These toilets work great as long as the household water pressure is at least 25 pounds per square inch (psi). Pressure-assist toilets can solve problems in homes with older plumbing systems where gravity-fed 1.6-gpf toilets just aren’t strong enough to pull waste through the older pipes. Prices generally range from $225 to $400. Pressure-assist toilets are generally better than gravity toilets, but their more complicated inner workings make them harder to repair.
