The toilet in our bathroom recently lost its seal at the bottom. This issue has caused us to choose a new toilet for our bathroom because my husband figured since he is going to have to pull it up, we might as well buy a new one.
I took to searching online at Lowe’s for the prices and models of a new toilet. While looking through the hundreds of toilet sets, I started with price points while putting the brand aside for the time being.
What is and is not included when buying a toilet for a bathroom?
While looking throught the complete toilets, I noticed some of the toilets had the tank inserts included while others didn’t. That led me to start asking my husband more questions about what it’s going to take to replace our toilet.
One question is, why don’t the toilets come with the flush systems needed for the tank? That didn’t make sense to my why companies wouldn’t include that with the toilet. His answer was twofold. He stated that it depends on the toilet bowl and tank that you buy. If you are buying the toilet tank and bowl seperately, the toilet tank flushing system normally aren’t included. He said after that more than likely it was due to companies wanting to make more money when selling these types of things.
He went into further explaination saying that if you are buying the complete toilet, the tank and bowl together, some companies will put the first set of hardware in with the toilet. I must have had a blank look on my face at that point. He continued to explain that hardware included the bolts to attach the toilet bowl to the floor, any pieces needed to attach the tank to the toilet, and the flushing system for the tank. He did continue to tell me that even with those things being included everything need to install the toilet still may not be included. My husband also told me that the flang wasn’t included with the toilet and that piece would need to be replaced as well. He mentioned that sometimes the wax seal is included and sometimes it isn’t. At least I knew what he meant when he said the wax seal. I had seen my dad replace those a few times in bathrooms before.
What types to consider when buying a toilet?
One thing considered when buying our new toilet was are we going to replace the whole thing. As I said in the beginning my husband decided to since it was going to be pulled for the repairs to the floor and resealing the toilet.
While looking at the toilets at Lowe’s, I noticed they sold the complete toilet set. That means the toilet has the tank and bowl in a box together. One thing my husband was thinking of doing was getting a corner tank for the bathroom so we could turn the toilet and put it on an angle in the corner since that’s where our toilet is in our tiny bathroom. I had found a corner tank at Lowe’s website for $199. That didn’t include the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl on minimum was going to cost another $167. That was a total of $366 for just those two pieces. This didn’t include the wax ring, toilet seat, and flange which I found out when we bought our toilet was a separate piece we were going to have to buy. It also didn’t inlude the lever or toilet tank guts. So those things were going to cost us an additional $50 approximately.
After we went to Lowe’s to see what they had in stock, we narrowed our new toilet down to a one piece set. There were three of those that were shown as displays in the store. We decided to go this route because over all it meant less time for installing because the tank didn’t have to be attached to the bowl after it was installed on the floor. We also found the one we chose was about the same size of the two-piece corner tank option we were considering. Not only that, this one-piece toilet has the wax seal, and seat included. While the clerk said it has the lever and ball flushing kit included for the tank in the box, we bought that one even if we find it doesn’t once we get the toilet out of the box. The toilet set was cheaper by $100 over our original idea for a toilet installation. By having the toilet seat and wax ring included, this saves us another $20 or so at this time. If the tank guts are included, we have saved the additional $50 in cost.
As you can see, reconsidering our initial decision of a corner tank and bowl, we have saved about $150 just on the toilet. Before going out and getting a toilet for your bathroom, do a little finger and leg work. This can save you as much as it did us before jumping into this home remodeling project with both feet.
Is the toilet water efficiency rated?
Even though we hadn’t considered the energy efficiency of a toilet, the complete toilet we bought is water efficient. Even if we save a few dollars on our water bill a year with this toilet, I suspect over time it will pay for itself in less water and sewar usage. I know our sewar usage cost varies over time depending on how much we are at home. Even if we manage to get our water bill, which has sewage and trash pickup included in the cost, goes down to below $60 a month and stays there, every month we will save at least $1.25 a month. While that may not seem like a lot, over time that $1.25 adds up. Even though that $1.25 a month adds up to $15 a year, it will take about 18 years to pay for the toilet using this method. Yes, you can laugh at my way of thinking because I think of little things like this.
Conclusion
Doing the leg work before buying a toilet can save you as much as $200. By discussing what is needed for replacing a toilet can be cost effective not only in the price, but possibly in how much work is needed to replace it and the savings in the long run with your water and sewage bill.
Source
American Standard Cadet 3 WaterSense High-Performance White Elongated Complete Toilet
