Let’s not beat around the bush. Home renovations are expensive. But when it comes to trimming the fat off your bathroom remodel, there’s one fixture you just shouldn’t touch.
The toilet.
In this post we’ll look at five reasons why buying the cheapest toilet you can find is a one-way ticket to bathroom disaster.
Better learn to keep that plunger handy
Nothing quite spoils your morning routine like a clogged toilet. You’re already running late and now you’ve got this to deal with. There are a number of reasons why you’re more likely to encounter flushing issues with a low-quality toilet.
Weak siphon: Plain and simple, the engineering on cheap bowls just isn’t up to snuff. There’s a science behind creating the water pressure that whisks your waste away and just a slight decrease in siphon greatly increases your chances of a clog.
Problems with the porcelain mold: Misshapen port holes are one of the primary causes of a slow flushing toilet. If you live somewhere with hard water you could be in double-trouble as mineral deposits develop more quickly on improperly formed jets.
Poorly designed trap: Problems with the S-shaped trap between your bowl and drain will cause blockages to happen more frequently.
Pay now or pay later
It’s a guarantee that low-cost toilets come with junky parts inside the tank. You can rest assured that not long after installation you’ll encounter issues with one or more of the moving parts and need to replace your flapper, fill valve, flush handle or perhaps even the whole shebang.
If you’re not handy around the house you could wind up spending all the money you saved on a single visit from your plumber. Flimsy toilet innards just don’t last.
I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to order that in
Here’s another reason to buy Kohler! Many budget toilet models come from China and don’t use standard replacement parts in the tank.
Talk about a migraine. Imagine having to special order in even the simplest seals and washers for your toilet. It’s an added expense and an added headache you don’t want to deal with.
Drip, drip, drip
Low quality seals age quickly and start to leak before you know it.
If the main gasket between the tank and the bowl goes bad you’ll know right away when you slip on the wet floor. If the leak’s inside the tank, however, you may not become aware of the problem until you start to notice those extra high water bills.
You get what you pay for
Aside from providing poor functionality, budget toilets tend to look and feel cheap as well.
From an uncomfortable seat to a slamming lid or wiggly handle, you’ll be reminded with every use that there’s a fine line between making smart frugal decisions and being a tightwad!
If you need to cut costs from your bathroom makeover, do it elsewhere. Opting to install a bargain basement toilet is a decision you’ll regret for years to come.
