So you’re in the market for a new toilet.

Maybe there are cracks in the tank. Maybe it’s wobbling. Maybe there are other problems with it. Whatever the case, your commode has seen better days and it’s time to replace it.

But how do you know what kind of toilet you should be purchasing?

Here are the things plumbers say you should keep in mind.

Know the toilet’s rough-in size

The last thing you want is to buy a toilet, get it home, and realize that it doesn’t fit in your bathroom! This is why it’s important to measure the rough-in size – in other words, the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the middle of the drainpipe or bolts that attach the toilet to the floor.

To figure out what the rough-in is, look on both sides of your toilet and you’ll see two bolts. If you measure from the middle of those bolts to the wall, you’ll get your rough-in measurement. Most toilets have a rough-in measurement of between 11 and 13 inches.

One piece, or two?

Bathing suits aren’t the only things that come in one or two pieces! One-piece toilets are easier to install and clean, but they tend to be more expensive. Two-piece toilets, where the bowl and tank are separate, are cheaper. But they can be harder to clean and require more repairs.

How does It flush?

It probably goes without saying that your toilet’s flushing capabilities are its most important feature! Before you purchase a toilet, research which toilets have the best flush performance (Consumer Reports is one site that ranks them.)

It’s also helpful to look into the different types of flushing systems to figure out what best suits your needs. Gravity flushes are the most common, while pressure-assisted toilets use less water to flush more waste due to added air pressure in a secondary tank. They can be noisier, though – and they’re more expensive. There are also single flush and dual flush systems. A single flush uses the same amount of water to flush both liquid and solid waste. A dual flush system has two flushes, and uses half the amount of water to flush liquid waste.

Here are a few other flushing systems to consider:

  • Double cyclone: Developed by the brand Toto, the double cyclone is when you have two nozzles for water, which face sideways and allow you to clean the toilet bowl effectively.
  • Tornado: This system was also developed by Toto and includes three sideways placed sideways around the top of the bowl.
  • Double vortex: The American Standard brand created this type of powerful flush, which features two nozzles that send water in different directions at the same time.

What kind of bowl do you want?

Elongated bowls tend to be more comfortable for people, but they’re also bigger. So if your bathroom is on the smaller side, you will want to choose a rounded bowl.

How water efficient is the toilet?

Federal plumbing standards mandate that new toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, but water efficient toilets under the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® use about 1.28 gallons per flush.

When you’ve settled on your new commode, and need help installing it, reach out to your local Benjamin Franklin Plumbing! Contact us online or call us at 1-877-BEN-1776.