Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘toilet’

Choosing the Right Bathroom Toilet

Wednesday, August 25th, 2021

Bathroom Toilet

Choosing the Right Bathroom Toilet in 2021

Most people don’t look for qualities in their toilet unless they’re replacing their old one. When choosing a toilet, you should look for what fits your needs best. Be careful though, many new toilets have fancy features you don’t necessarily need. Below, our Fox Valley plumbers share a few things you should consider when choosing a new toilet

Who will be using the toilet?

This is such an important factor because the height and shape of the toilet will contribute to the household’s comfort when using it. If you have little kids sharing/using the toilet most of the time, perhaps it’s best to go for something that’s not too high and is a bit narrow. There’s always the danger of them falling in with larger bathroom toilets. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, who provide Sacramento plumbing services, says it’s a common mistake for homeowners to choose a toilet that is too low to the ground. Try to find a toilet that is average-sized.

How’s the flush power?

You need a strong flush, especially if the bathroom is located on the higher level of the house. Flush power is indicated on the product packaging (which is why it’s often displayed as well in stores) and the scale of power is from 1-10.

How big is the bathroom?

The size of the bathroom has to be considered as well. According to the interior design experts that Fox Valley and Applegate, Wisconsin residents trust, while elongated toilet bowls feel more comfortable, a round bowl may be the better choice for a small bathroom. Elongated toilet bowls measure up to 31″ from the wall; on the other hand, round fixtures max out at 28″. That means they save more space, and not only that, round bowls cost less, too.

What is the style you prefer?

There are four styles to choose from:

  • Two-piece toilets – This is the most common type. The tank and bowl are separate and it’s easy to find replacement parts for this style of toilet bowl.
  • One-piece toilets – The tank and bowl are built together. It’s more expensive but it saves space and it’s much easier to clean.
  • Wall-mounted toilets – This, needless to say, is mounted to a wall and doesn’t require a toilet foot or base. This is ideal for people who have mobility issues. It’s also more expensive to buy and install and a thick wall is required for mounting.
  • Water-saving toilets – These are very popular and they come in different designs, but they don’t use more than 1.6 gallons of water for every flush.

What Add-Ons Do You Want?

Toilets can come with built-in bidets and seat warmers. There are those with lids that close on their own. See which of these you need or want in a bathroom toilet bowl.

The right toilet is always the one that can meet your requirements. Establishing what you and your family really need will help you when choosing the right bathroom toilet. Don’t hesitate to contact Turek’s Plumbing today to choose a bathroom toilet that is right for you. 

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in August 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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What Is That Loud Noise After I Flush?

Monday, July 16th, 2018

What Is That Loud Noise After I Flush?

As you flush your toilet, you are caught unawares by the unusually loud sound you hear.

Do you have a small animal trapped somewhere in the bathroom? Is there some structural damage within the walls of the bathroom? Surprised, you flush the toilet again, confirming that the loud sound did indeed come from inside the bathroom. 

“What is that loud noise after I flush?” you ask yourself. The simple answer: A water hammer.

A Water Hammer

A water hammer occurs when water traveling at a fast speed suddenly stops. In this case, the closing of the toilet valve causes the water to stop its movement and crash against the valve. In turn, this causes the pipes to vibrate against your bathroom walls.

Imagine the water inside your toilet pipes as a long line of cars traveling a highway. And then one of the cars makes an abrupt stop without giving the other trailing cars an opportunity to swerve or put on the brakes at a comfortable distance. The result of that is a massive pile-up.

That, in essence, is what happens when a water hammer occurs.

But why do water hammers occur in the first place?

Water hammers are more likely to happen in homes that were built in the sixties. The pipes used in the toilets of these homes are equipped with a T-shaped fitting designed to create an air chamber. The purpose of this air chamber is to act as a shock absorber, preventing water hammers from occurring.

However, this air chamber can be filled with water, rendering it useless in performing the task it was designed for. Fixing this problem is as simple as turning off the main water valve and then draining off the water from all the pipes in your home.

But, if your home was built after the sixties, you shouldn’t hear water hammers in your homes. This is because of the different developments made during these subsequent years to prevent this problem. If your home was built after the sixties and you hear water hammers every time you flush your toilet, it is best to call in a professional plumber to determine the underlying cause. Left unchecked, water hammers can lead to bigger problems which may be more difficult and more costly to fix. Such problems include water leaks in the walls of your home. 

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Why Is My Toilet Leaking At The Base?

Wednesday, April 25th, 2018

If there is water around the base of your toilet, this means that there is a leak around the base of the fixture. Once you notice a leak, deal with it immediately. Do not wait for your bathroom to become a swimming pool – have it fixed!

Why is My Toilet Leaking at the Base? 

For people asking, “Why is my toilet leaking at the base?” an Appleton plumber shares three possible reasons, along with some things homeowners can do before calling in the experts:

  1. Loose T-Bolts

T-bolts are the plastic caps you see around the base of your toilet. They help hold the toilet firmly in place. If these bolts become broken or loose, the seal of the toilet can break, thus causing leaks.

All you have to do is to reposition the toilet so it becomes leveled and centered. After that, tighten the bolts and replace the cap. But if the bolts continue to spin freely, this means they are broken. In this case, replacing the T-bolts is your only option.

Flush the toilet once the bolts are secure. If water still leaks at the base, check the wax seal underneath the toilet.

  1. Damaged Wax Ring

If your toilet is still leaking at the base even after you have tightened or replaced the bolt, the wax ring may be the culprit.

The wax ring seals the toilet to the floor to prevent the seepage of dirty water. Over time, this seal can disintegrate or become useless when the T-bolts become loose. Replacing a wax seal is a more tedious task so you might need an extra set of hands. But for best results, it is recommended that you contact a reputable plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin.

When replacing the seal, turn off the water that comes into the toilet. Also, flush the toilet drain and make use of rags to absorb any water that remains. The water line from the tank must be unscrewed. Before lifting the toilet, do not forget to undo the T-bolts. Remove the old wax ring from the toilet and the floor with a scraper. Also, clean the area with disinfectant. Once the toilet and floor are dry, install the new wax ring. Put the toilet back in place and tighten the T-bolts.

  1. Cracked Toilet Bowl

Although this is rare, your toilet leaking may be caused by a crack in the toilet bowl. If you can pinpoint the crack, use a sealant to repair it. Make sure to turn off the water supply, drain the bowl, and dry the area before doing so. But if the leak continues, you need to replace the toilet bowl.

Dealing with toilet leaks is not as easy as it seems. If you need any help, Turek’s Plumbing highly recommends hiring their plumbing professionals to do the job for you.

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