The exciting world of toilets

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MrTomato

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#261672 10-Dec-2019 09:57

Over Christmas I'm going to have the singular delight of renovating a bathroom, which means I'm going to have to replace the toilet.

Generally speaking, what's likely to be the difference between expensive and cheaper toilets (other than styling differences and dimensions)? Do the expensive ones flush better somehow?

If you look at Bunnings, for example, they have toilets of broadly similar designs and listed specifications, but with price differences of hundreds of dollars. Their range of back-to-wall toilets go from $229 to $1,299!

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MikeB4
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#2371521 10-Dec-2019 10:01

Don't get too flushed with excitement or bogged down in too much detail it can be a waste of time.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

sen8or

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#2371523 10-Dec-2019 10:05

Soft close lid! Never really thought about it until we had a toilet with one, now wouldn't have it any other way. Beyond that, you're pretty much paying for styling and/or installation differences (S trap, back to wall, hidden cistern etc). Just find one you like the look of and that will work for your particular installation requirements.

wellygary

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#2371531 10-Dec-2019 10:15

Where do you live?

In some council areas even replacing a toilet "like for like" is restricted plumbing work,

but in other parts of the country it is OK, even the PM got pinged on this a few years ago..

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11816473

timmmay

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#2371534 10-Dec-2019 10:18

There are lightweight plastic ones, and more solid ceramic ones. The solid ones are better, I think. Soft close lid is really handy. Sometimes the half flush button is smaller, which I don't like, as you should use it more.

Earbanean

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#2371550 10-Dec-2019 10:32

You can choose with a rim, or rimless. That makes a bit of a difference for cleaning. Also there are differences in the size/shape of the 'drop' i.e. will the sides get hit more or less. That effects cleaning/appearance as well.

A lot of the rest is size and styling. e.g. cistern in/out of wall, toilet 'floating' or on floor. Rounded or straight lines etc. Height and size of seat are comfort differences as well.

We're renovating at the mo, so just been through all this.

davidcole

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#2371564 10-Dec-2019 10:58

I always found, the ones with a really heavy lid....that doesn't rest against the cistern really sorts the men from the boys....if you're not quick enough, you may find yourself missing an appendage.

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#2371569 10-Dec-2019 11:07

There was comment on here recently that the cheap ones have a smaller connection and are more prone to clogging.

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nickb800

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#2371572 10-Dec-2019 11:10

wellygary:
Where do you live?

In some council areas even replacing a toilet "like for like" is restricted plumbing work,

but in other parts of the country it is OK, even the PM got pinged on this a few years ago..

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11816473

Plumbing regulations are the same nationally - you can't legally replace a toilet as a DIYer.

Council interpretation comes into it when you're talking about moving it or adding an additional one - determining whether building consent is required.

That said, if you're just swapping out a toilet on the same paperwork, then consent shouldn't be required, and therefore there will be no record of it being replaced, so whoever buys the house off you in future won't know whether you or a plumber replaced it

FineWine

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#2371577 10-Dec-2019 11:18

MikeB4:

Don't get too flushed with excitement or bogged down in too much detail it can be a waste of time.

I disagree with that statement !

When we renovated our nearly purchased house of 2000 build in 2015, we replaced the toilet system with a back to wall, S trap, Englefield Valencia Closed Couple Suit from Mitre10 which was on sale for $299.

The biggest thing that we find we do not like about this toilet is that the soft close seat is not wide enough compared to our previous seat. I suppose it is our fault. For 25 years, mostly in Australia, when we moved we also took the toilet seat which was one of very good comfort and fit. We even bought it over with us when we returned to NZ. But was unable to use this seat with the above toilet system due to the placement of the mounting/fixing holes.

Also the plastic used in this seat stains very easierly and quickly plus the vitreous china is starting to discolour at the below the water level. I believe that this is due to the fact the ceramic coating (shine) is wearing thin.

So my advice is to sit around on a variety of seat systems and make sure you find one that suits your comfort and fit.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

nzkc

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#2371579 10-Dec-2019 11:18

timmmay:
Sometimes the half flush button is smaller, which I don't like, as you should use it more.

With the toilets I have we can swap their function. Just lift up the cistern lid (actually optional but makes it easier) then flip the buttons insert around. Actually...I think I could swap the flush system side of it too (would have to confirm that).

That said... convention is smaller button = half flush. So most people would be confused/surprised/mistaken if I did swap them.

wellygary

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#2371580 10-Dec-2019 11:33

nickb800:Plumbing regulations are the same nationally - you can't legally replace a toilet as a DIYer.

In some areas you can....

Yes the regs are national., but there are grandfathered exemptions carried over from previous legislation

"Exemptions for specified areas are a carry-over from 1970s legislation"

Sanitary plumbing exemptions for specified areas are a legacy of the previous Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 1976.

The householder exemption lets homeowners in areas as diverse as the Hurunui district, the Hauraki Gulf Islands Ward of Auckland City, Porirua, Wellington and Kiwitea County, Oroua County, and Pohangina County do their own sanitary plumbing. The rural areas exemption allows anyone to complete restricted work in specified rural areas. No new exemptions have been approved since 1994."

https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/planning-a-successful-build/scope-and-design/check-if-you-need-consents/building-consent-exemptions-for-low-risk-work/schedule-1-guidance/part-2/32-plumbing-and-drainage/#jumpto-examples-where-this-exemption-could-apply

They will probably get killed the next time the act is updated, but for now they continue to exist.

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billgates

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#2371581 10-Dec-2019 11:41

The big difference between cheap and some of the expensive toilets you will find is glazing coverage. Rim or rimless is personal preference. Go look at new toilets, stick your hand through the bowl and feel for the glazing behind it and above it and also under the rim if it's not rimless. If it's not glazed then it will hold more germs and waste and harder to clean. Duravit AFAIK, is still one of the brands that glazes their toilets throughout.

Do whatever you want to do man.

nickb800

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#2371627 10-Dec-2019 11:57

wellygary:

nickb800:Plumbing regulations are the same nationally - you can't legally replace a toilet as a DIYer.

In some areas you can....

Yes the regs are national., but there are grandfathered exemptions carried over from previous legislation

"Exemptions for specified areas are a carry-over from 1970s legislation"

Sanitary plumbing exemptions for specified areas are a legacy of the previous Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 1976.

The householder exemption lets homeowners in areas as diverse as the Hurunui district, the Hauraki Gulf Islands Ward of Auckland City, Porirua, Wellington and Kiwitea County, Oroua County, and Pohangina County do their own sanitary plumbing. The rural areas exemption allows anyone to complete restricted work in specified rural areas. No new exemptions have been approved since 1994."

https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/planning-a-successful-build/scope-and-design/check-if-you-need-consents/building-consent-exemptions-for-low-risk-work/schedule-1-guidance/part-2/32-plumbing-and-drainage/#jumpto-examples-where-this-exemption-could-apply

They will probably get killed the next time the act is updated, but for now they continue to exist.

Fascinating - they certainly don't make it easy to find that list of areas! There's actually a current proposal out for consultation to get rid of that exemption, and I would imagine it would fly through.

1101

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#2371629 10-Dec-2019 11:59

I bought a cheapy.
The 'sit on' part was OK .

The cistern's internals were rubbish, and had to be replaced . Also was VERY loud when refilling (untill internals replaced)

wellygary

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#2371681 10-Dec-2019 12:19

nickb800:

Fascinating - they certainly don't make it easy to find that list of areas! There's actually a current proposal out for consultation to get rid of that exemption, and I would imagine it would fly through.

I've done some digging and the areas are more than they mention,

they come into power via individual "Sanitary Plumbing (Permission for Householders) Notices"

Here's a list of them

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/all/results.aspx?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_Sanitary+Plumbing+(Permission+for+Householders)+Notice_resel_25_a&p=1

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