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Low Water Level Toilet Bowl

Low Water Level Toilet Bowl

Shires Supaline / AS Kensington, North London, Take 3

"no More Wire Coat Hangers"

In my continuing preoccupation with DIY blogs the second most frequent complaint after the mysterious smell is the clogged toilet. More and more new homes as well as renovated bathrooms are required by local codes to have low water use toilets. These toilets are designed to save water by using less per each flush. There are even toilets on the market today with 2 settings for flushing one for liquid waste the other for solid.

I’m not so sure that the problem is so much the low use units as much as it is we, ourselves, what we are used to that is causing the problem. For us old geezers who may have started out with outhouses, no clogging problem there, but primarily we are used to the old toilets that used up to 10 gallons of water to flush and were wide in their construction so you could flush your old bowling balls, the left over Thanksgiving turkey as well as the most solid of waste materials that your teen age son could produce. Do you who have read my articles before see a pattern developing about the teen age son? I only had boys but I can imagine some of the things the girls could flush also. With this old experience we took it for granted that the toilets could handle massive loads of what ever you needed to eliminate.In modern times the standard toilet actually used about 3.5 gallons of water per flush but the US department of Energy mandated in 1992 that toilets be developed that could flush with as little as 1.6 gallons.

How can we tell if the toilet is clogged? Of course the first sign is that when you flush instead of everthing disappearing neatly down the toilet it pours out on your feet , on the floor and down the hall. Even more subtle signs are that the water level doesn’t return to the proper level after a flush, or the flush is slow and inefficient. You are better off catching the clog at this stage as opposed to the wet feet stage

Needless to say we are still trying to flush the same amount of waste with half the water so we have to adjust our thinking as to how we use these low flush toilets.  Although it defeats the purpose of the low flow toilet we can flush more often while using the toilet i.e. flush the solids before using paper, we can be more aware of how much toilet paper we use (primarily that teen age boy), we can use paper that dissolves more rapidly or more easily and last but not least the idea, that has been used in Europe for years, we can invest in toilets such as the TOTO nearest, that actually clean our delicate areas with water instead of using paper at all. There are even “washlets” or toilet seats that can be retrofitted to your existing toilet that provide this same service.

OK so we’ve done all these things and the darn thing is still clogged. How do we most easily unclog it before having to spend the son’s college money or by keeping the local plumber on a retainer.  AND NO THE WIRE COAT HANGER IS NOT THE ANSWER. Most the time these things make permanent scratches in the bowl causing debris to build up and making it hard to clean. They are unsanitary and downright dangerous if left around uncleaned.  So we try the plunger first. The problem with plungers today is that the bowl is usually oddly shaped an its difficult to get a good suction without making several plunges but can be helped by thoroughly coating the edge of the plumber with petroleum jelly (that’s Vaseline to most of you) allowing the plunger to make better contact with the sides of the bowl, this works for sinks and tub clogs also. If the plunger doesn’t work there are liquids that can be poured into the clog but be aware that if you are on a septic system they can be hazardous to the bacteria in your septic tank that are necessary for its proper action. Also never plunge after the use of one of these liquid products because they contain caustic solutions that can splash out on you and cause some severe burns or harm. The newest product on the market is canned compressed air to blow the clog free, but can you imagine the reverse effect?? Instead of blowing the clog on through the pipes it blows most of it back at you? Be afraid….very afraid and prepared for the clean up.

Lastly is the snake. No not your son’s boa constrictor even though you may have considered flushing it several times allowing it to join all of those many goldfish that have past on in the past. The snake is a cable device with an auger on the working end and a crank on the other that allows you to insert the cable into your toilet piping and turn the auger for several feet down into the plumbing to find and break up the clog. These are also available for rent at most tool rental businesses in an electrical version but honestly should only be used by the pros. If you have made the valiant effort and you haven’t had any success then its time to call in the pros. Sometimes it is a simple clog but many times it may be symptomatic of more serious problems such as roots growing into and through your drain lines or a septic system that is full and needs to be pumped.

I hope this gives you some new perspective on the clog issue and now you know why Joan Crawford was so adamant that the kids had no wire coat hangers…..No not really I think that was something else completely!

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MJSI HC660 HydroClean Water-Saving Toilet Fill Valve with Cleaning Tube List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $8.50 You save: $6.49 (43%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Hydroclean Fill Valve, Saves Water, Detects Leaks, Cleans The Tank, Requires No Tools To Install, Signals When Properly Installed and Easily Calibrated For Efficient Full Flush Power, A Simple 1 Time Adjustment Allows The Customer To Calibrate The Rate At Which The Bowl Fills, Saving Up To 4 QT Of Water With Each Flush, Allows The Height Of The Valve To Be Set After Installation and Even Under Pressure. Features Detects leaks Cleans the tank Installs easily without tools Calibrates your toilet for full flush efficiency

MJSI HC550 HydroClean Water-saving Toilet Fill Valve List Price: $13.99 Sale Price: $8.47 You save: $5.52 (39%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description HydroClean premium toilet fill valve. Unique bowl filler adjustment, also detects silent leaks. Patented Mini-Valve lets you adjust the amount of water directed to the bowl and can save over 3,000 gallons of water a year! Patented Float Lock allows minor repairs in the tank as well as flapper leak detection without shutting off the water. Save water and save money. Features Detects leaks Installs easily without tools Reduces water hammer Invented by a fourth generation plumber

TOTO Aquia II Dual Flush Toilet Tank - COTTON WHITE - Tank Only (Bowl Sold Separate) List Price: $156.00 Sale Price: $83.39 You save: $72.61 (47%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Cotton White . Tank Only . Bowl and hardware sold Separate Features Dual Flush feature (1.6 GPF / 0.9 GPF) EPA water saving certification Specifications Chrome push-button Features a performance option to allow appropriate water usage Tank cover and fittings included

TOTO CT416-01 Aquia II Elongated Bowl, Cotton White List Price: $319.00 Sale Price: $208.40 You save: $110.60 (35%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description TOTO is the world's largest plumbing products manufacturer. They offer a complete line of commercial and decorative plumbing fixtures and fittings, faucets, accessories, shower and flush valves, as well as lavatories, toilets, Air Baths and urinals. For over 90 years, they have been producing superbly designed, high performance lifestyle enhancing plumbing products for residential bathrooms and commercial restrooms. Features TOTO Aquia II Toilet Bowl Only Cotton white 12" rough Less toilet seat Meets EPA WaterSense Criteria Five year limited warranty NOTE: Must use Washlet adaptor (THU9090) to install any Washlet on this bowl

Fluidmaster #400A Adjustable Anti-Siph Ballcock List Price: $25.50 Sale Price: $7.47 You save: $18.03 (71%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description FLUIDMASTER ADJUSTABLE BALLCOCK *9" to 14" Adjustable float saves water *Plastic and non-corrosive *Anti-siphon Features Fluidmaster #400A Adjustable Anti-Siph Ballcock 9" to 14" Adjustable float saves water Plastic and non-corrosive Anti-siphon Boxed

KOHLER K-3323-0 Santa Rosa Compact Elongated Toilet, White List Price: $417.45 Sale Price: $333.95 You save: $83.50 (20%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days See Reviews For This Product Description K-3323-0 Finish: White Image shows White finish Compact in size, the stylish Santa Rosa toilet delivers 3.5-gallon flushing performance in a 1.6-gallon package. This one piece elongated toilet is available in a palette of Kohler colors to complement any d cor. Stylish and durable, this charming toilet is a must have for any bathroom. Features: -Ingenium flushing system delivers 3.5-gallon flushing performance in a 1.6-gallon package -Elongated bowl -12'' rough-in -Includes Brevia toilet seat and cover and left-hand trip lever, does not include supply -Includes polished chrome trip lever -Vitreous china construction -Elongated bowl -Comfort height -One--piece, compact toilet -EPDM flapper -Kohler One-Year Limited Warranty -Water area: 9.75 H x 8.75 W -Overall dimensions: 27.5 H x 18.75 W x 15 D Santa Rosa Specification Sheet Santa Rosa Installation Instructions Santa Rosa Current Service Parts Santa Rosa Homeowner s Guide Features Compact in size, this stylish model delivers 3.5-gallon flushing performance in a 1.6-gallon package Features Ingenium flushing system Measures a 12-inch rough-in Includes Brevia toilet seat with left-hand trip lever, less supply 27-1/2-by-18-3/4-by-26-3/4-inch

KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 gpf Toilet with Class Six Technology, White Sale Price: $388.97   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days See Reviews For This Product Description Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron Comfort Height elongated 1.28 gpf toilet with Class Six technology and left-hand trip lever, less seat, WhiteFeaturing the new Class Six flushing technology, the redesigned Cimarron Comfort Height elongated toilet delivers outstanding bulk flushing and best-in-class bowl cleanliness. The Cimarron two-piece toilet's easy curves complement a variety of bathroom environments. This 1.28 gpf model provides significant water savings without sacrificing performance.Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron Comfort Height elongated 1.28 gpf toilet with Class Six technology and left-hand trip lever, less seat, White Features:; Dimensions: 29-3/8" x 19" x 30-3/4"; 29-3/8"L x 17-3/5"W x 30-3/4"H; Class Six flushing technology provides tremendous bulk waste flushing performance and best-in-class bowl cleanliness; Canister flush valve provides smooth flushing actuation with consistent water usage, flush after flush; DryLock attachment plate reduces installation time by 40%, as well as prevents potential leak points during the installation and throughout the life of the product; With a seat height comparable to that of a standard chair, KOHLER Comfort Height toilets make sitting down and standing up easier for people of all ages; 1.28 gpf provides significant water savings of up to 3,200 gallons per year without sacrificing performance; Meets strict flushing performance guidelines established by the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) WaterSense program; Qualifies as an HET (High-Efficient Toilet) - consumer rebates are available in certain municipalities; 12" rough-in; Elongated bowl Features 28-3/4"L x 17-5/8"W x 30-3/4"H Class Six(R) flushing technology provides tremendous bulk waste flushing performance and best-in-class bowl cleanliness Canister flush valve provides smooth flushing actuation with consistent water usage, flush after flush Exclusive Dry Lock(TM) installation system facilitates installation, and keeps floors dry Meets strict flushing performance guidelines established by the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) WaterSense program

Lavelle #528 Korky Quietfill Valve List Price: $9.49 Sale Price: $7.39 You save: $2.10 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Korky Quietfill Anti-Siphon Toilet Tank Fill Valve, Fits All 2 Piece and Most 1 Piece Toilets, Up To 11" Water Level, Ultra Quiet, 5 Year Warranty, Boxed. Features Lavelle #528 Korky Quietfill Valve Fits All 2 Piece and Most 1 Piece Toilets Up To 11" Water Level Ultra Quiet 5 Year Warranty

American Standard 2479.216.020 FloWise Dual Flush Elongated Toilet, White List Price: $398.00 See Reviews For This Product Description American Standard Vitreous China Two Piece Elongated ToiletFloWise CollectionWash Down ToiletCombination Bowl and TankHigh Efficiency, Low Consumption Full Flush (1.6gpF/6.0LpF) and Partial Flush (0.8 gpf/3.0LpF)Meets EPA WaterSense Criteria12" (305mm) Rough-InChrome Plated Top Mounted Push Buttom ActuatorConcealed Trapway BowlSanitary Dam on BowlFully Glazed 2-1/4" TrapwayInternal Trapway Area Fully Glazed100% Factory Flush Tested2 Color-Matched Bolt Caps2 Year WarrantyIncludes Color-Matched Solid Plastic Seat & CoverNominal Dimensions: 31-1/4" L x 17" W x 30-1/8" H (794 x 432 x 765mm)Available Accessories: 735130-400(Tank Cover), 7381034-200(Tank Cover Locking Device)Meets all ANSI/ASME Low Consumption, Water Conservation RequirementsHigh Efficiency Toilet Utilizes 33% Less Water than Traditional 1.6 GPF/6.0 LPF ToiletsIncludes 3067.216(Elongated Toilet Bowl) and 4035.216(Toilet Tank) Features Combination toilet tank and bowl Elongated high efficiency, low consumption dual flush toilet Certified in EPA WaterSense program Polished chrome-plated top mounted push button actuator Fully glazed concealed 2-5/8-Inch trap way

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