Toilet types and designs have changed greatly over the years – it’s all about style, cleanliness, and aesthetics. Presently, you have bidet or smart toilet options that are user-friendly and ideal for those looking for a slightly more extravagant toilet experience.

We know that buying a toilet is not something that is done very often, so you need to consider your bathroom, budget, and backside when choosing the perfect toilet. Here is our quick beginner’s guide to buying a toilet.

Toilet Suite 101

There are 2 fundamental parts to a toilet:

1. Cistern – Holds the water to be used for flushing
2. Toilet Pan/Bowl – The part you sit on

The Toilet Set Out – S trap, P trap, and Skew trap

There are 3 main types of toilet “set outs”, where the waste leaves the toilet pan, and your choice of toilet style may depend on the design of your bathroom and plumbing.

• S trap – As the most common set out used in Australian bathrooms, the S trap is where the waste pipe goes from the toilet into the ground.
• P trap – The P trap is when the waste pipe is connected from the toilet to the wall.
• Skew trap – A skew trap is used when a toilet is not positioned directly in front of a pipe, making it suitable for those with reduced options.

What Are the Three Most Common Toilet Styles in Australia?

Wall Faced Toilet

Occasionally known as a ‘back to the wall’ toilet, this toilet style is where the back of the pan sits flush against the wall with no gap.

Wall Mounted Toilet

Wall-mounted toilets are hung on the wall, as the name suggests, and the cistern and plumbing are hidden in your walls. This is the only toilet style that can be swept under, making it easy to keep clean.

Bidet Toilet or Smart Toilets

Despite being viewed as a lavish style of toilet, bidet or smart toilets are commonly found across Asia. They feature a built-in nozzle that sprays clean water for the user to wash themselves after using the bathroom. It’s fast becoming a popular option as we see pandemic panic buying cause toilet paper shortages in Australia!

Quick Tips for Buying Your Next Toilet

Tip #1 – Check Your Plumbing FIRST

Your current bathroom’s plumbing is already designed for a specific ‘set out’ layout – S trap, P trap, or Skew trap. Check your plumbing before considering buying your next toilet.

Tip #2 – Look at the Water Efficiency

The handy WELS water rating system is a great way to narrow down which toilet you pick next. Considering the average person uses the bathroom 5 times a day, think about how much water you can save if you buy an eco-friendly toilet.

Tip #3 – Ease of Cleaning Matters

How important is the ease of cleaning to you? If you answered very important, you may want to consider a wall mounted toilet (don’t forget, your plumbing needs to be compatible with this toilet type). This style of toilet features an in-wall cistern, which is one less surface for you to clean, and you’ll be able to get under the toilet bowl to sweep and mop.

What Toilet Will You Buy Next? See The Professionals At Just Bathroomware

Hopefully after reading this blog, you understand the basics of how a toilet works, and what you need to consider when buying a new one, so whether you’re renovating or replacing, buying the right toilet will be a piece of cake!

If you would like more information or have any questions, please get in contact with the friendly team at Just Bathroomware today.