Paul Friedman Plumbing - 301-881-8660 » Toilet Tips

Power-assist Toilets

Andy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:35:56 +0000

Power-assist toilets: Power-assist toilets plug into a standard GFCI outlet and use electricity to power a pump that pushes water into the toilet bowl. These quiet operators work well in close quarters or bathrooms located near bedrooms. A self-closing seat, which may be added to any toilet for about $50, eliminates the loud clanking associated with a toilet seat dropping on porcelain. This type of toilet is expensive; prices start at about $900. The designer Kohler Hatbox toilet, for example costs about $2,800.

Pressure-assist Toilets

Andy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:29:57 +0000

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.

Gravity Toilets

Andy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:21:42 +0000

Gravity toilets: This is the most familiar type of toilet. Here, water drops from the tank into the bowl and trap, moving waste down the drain. Gravity does all the work, which makes them a good choice for homes that don’t get great water pressure (as low as 10 pounds per square inch should be fine). Gravity toilets have a proven design and appeal to those who want a quiet flush. Since there’s not much fancy technology inside the tank, repairs are easier. However, lower-priced models don’t typically fare as well in testing. The best gravity toilets can cost as much as pressure-assist toilets. Prices range from about $150 to $500.