Install a toilet in your home, but what kind?

A display of different types of toilets. PHOTO/promise Twinamukye.

What you need to know:

The toilet for many is the most peaceful part of the house. Therefore, purchasing one is not something taken lightly.

Having a squat toilet separate from the bathroom, Patrick Natukunda thought he could create more space for other developments in his home. That is when he thought of having a bathroom and shower together. He would just need one room for both and have more space left for something else.

To pull this off though, he had to dismantle what existed.

“I decided to get rid of the squat toilet for a better lid toilet, leave a shower space and still have a washroom altogether,” he said

After dismantling the toilet to create space, another wall was put in place and the plumber was told to remove the previous steps and level the floor.

Natukunda purchased a p-trap type of toilet with an acrylic cover which aligned with the piping of his house, a shower, together with a tap.

After connecting the toilet, he made sure he left enough space for the shower, giving the entire washroom a facelift.

What to keep in mind

One of the major reasons one should not just buy a toilet is because houses have different plumbing systems. Knowing your plumbing system will help you skip the hustle of having to take it back to the shop if it is not the right kind.

Knowing your washroom space will help you determine where to place your toilet since it has to sit at least 15 to 20 inches away from the wall.

Type of toilets

While some toilets come detached from their tanks, others come in a set.

Two-piece toilets, consisting of a separate tank and seat base, are the commonest option. The pieces may be made for each other but that seam they always have gives much trouble when cleaning.

According to Michael Odong, a sales advisor in Danube Homes, these two-piece toilets have the advantage of being easier to transport and carry, especially if the toilet needs to be carried up the stairs.

This however has an advantage of easy replacement in case one piece is broken.

A closed (one piece) toilet comes attached to the tank. One-piece toilets’ style is seamless, providing a modern look and easier to clean.

Odong notes that a one piece toilet reduces breakage and leakage which is common in the two-piece toilet since it does not need pipes to connect to the bowl. 

The height of the toilet seat

While the recommended height for toilets is at least 16 inches, your choice here will depend on the person intended to use it. If the person is elderly or has trouble getting in and out of the seating position, a higher toilet may be helpful. The person may also be just tall and lower height toilets may not work in their favour.

Flush style

One piece toilets tend to have push-buttons which leave one with an option flushing for a long or short call. In addition to giving your room a classy look, it helps you save water bills. One button releases just enough water for either types of calls- long and short.

Levers are mostly found in two-piece toilets. These toilets are usually less expensive and give the room a classic look although it flushes much more water regardless of whether it is a short or long call.

COST

Prices and quality of the toilets vary widely.

In upscale markets (showrooms), the toilets vary from Shs1.5m and Shs850, 000.

In downscale markets, they start from Shs250, 000 depending on the quality and type.

While some plumbers may install one toilet for Shs50, 000, others may go up to Shs100, 000.