Pros And Cons Of Low Flow Toilets

If you're like most people, you want to do your part in helping the environment. This includes using less water. There is no doubt that water conservation is one of those activities that the experts want everyone to do. One way to do this is to have your plumber install a low-flow toilet. This guide explains the pros and cons of low-flow toilets, so you can decide if you want to have one installed or not, but keep in mind that any new construction is required to have low-flow toilets.

Pro #1: Water Conservation

A low-flow toilet uses about half the amount of water per flush than a traditional toilet does. These toilets use 1.6 gallons of water per flush as compared to older models that use up to 7 gallons per flush.

Pro #2: Reduced Water Bills

Using less water naturally means that your water bill will be less.

Pro #3: Modern Style

Low-flow toilets are designed in a way that matches most modern bathroom decor and finishings. The sleek design is smaller than most traditional toilets, so you'll save a little extra space as well.

Con #1: One Flush May Not Be Enough

Because a low-flow toilet uses less water, your family members may need to flush it more than once to flush waste down to the sewer or septic system. If this occurs often enough, your water bill may not be as low as what you expect because you're using more water.

Con #2: Frequent Overflows

The use of less water means that there is less force moving human waste down the toilet, so more toilet backups may occur. If your toilet overflows a lot, you may be calling the plumber out more often than you would with a traditional toilet.

Con #3: Frequent Clogs

Keep the plunger handy if you go with a low-flow toilet. These money-saving contraptions may clog frequently because of the lower water pressure. To reduce the amount of clogs, instruct your family to be even more careful about what they are flushing than they were with the older-model toilets.

Low-flow toilets come in a variety of designs. Ask a plumber like Rakeman Plumbing which models are best for your family size. Some have two flush types, one for urine and another for feces, to help with more powerful flushing. One of these may be best if you have more than just a couple people living in your home.