Tag: toilet replacement

6 Signs It’s Time For A Toilet Replacement in Pennsylvania

Aug 30, 2019

6 Signs It’s Time For A Toilet Replacement in Pennsylvania

  • bathroom remodeling
toilet replacement in Pennsylvania by McHales KBA

Your bathroom’s toilet can run for a long time if you keep it properly maintained. However, you’ll eventually find a problem that can’t easily be fixed or find a problem too late to fix it. If that’s the case, you’ll want to call McHale’s KBA to get a toilet replacement for your Pennsylvania home. However, you’ll have to be able to tell when you need to call for a replacement. If you can’t tell when you need to replace it, you might wind up breaking your toilet and causing some major water damage.

Here are six signs you should schedule a toilet replacement for your Pennsylvania home:

 

Frequent repairs

As appliances and fixtures get older, they tend to require more repairs to keep them operational. Repairing your toilet often will result in the bills adding up. Eventually, it’ll be cheaper to just go out and get a new toilet. Next time you call to get an older toilet fixed, ask about whether getting a new toilet would be more viable.

 

Old age

As mentioned above, older toilets often require more repair work to keep running. However, older toilets also are likely to not be as water-efficient as newer models. Buying a newer toilet model can help you save money on your water bills as well as saving the environment.

 

Surface damage

As toilets get older and are scrubbed during cleaning, they tend to accumulate a variety of scratches. As well as being unattractive, scratches make it harder to keep your toilet clean. If you find yourself cleaning your toilet too often or just want an aesthetic change, call us about getting a new toilet.

 

Wobbling

A wobbly toilet is a sign of either a minor problem or a major problem. At best, you could have some screws loose that can easily be tightened by a plumber. On the other hand, the floor beneath the toilet might be damaged or rotting due to water. Either way, you should call a plumber in case it’s something serious.

 

Mineral deposits

Homeowners who have to deal with hard water may find mineral buildups on their toilets and other plumbing. For a toilet, minerals can accumulate in the inlet holes or siphon tube, preventing water from flowing effectively. If you’re lucky, you can chip away at the blockage and keep your toilet working. Otherwise, you might need to buy a new model. If you have hard water and want to avoid this issue, consider purchasing a water softener for your home.

 

Inefficient flushing

Are you an environmentally aware homeowner who keeps careful stock of their resource usage? If you are, you might want to consider getting a new toilet to save on water. When it comes to modern models, your average toilet uses three to five gallons per flush and low-flush models only use around two. If you’re looking to help save water, try getting a new toilet to replace your old model.

 

What makes McHale’s KBA my best choice for bathroom remodeling?

We have award-winning Certified Kitchen Designers by The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) & The National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI) on staff. We’ll come to your home and give you a complimentary design consultation. Next, we set up an appointment in our state of the art showroom. We have a diverse selection of good, better and best products to fit every budget. Our interior designers will help you choose all the materials in our unique design center. You can see your products in the same light that is in your home. Our design center has fluorescent, halogen, LED, general, task, hi-hats, under cabinets & natural sunlight. Different types of lighting make a big difference in how your home looks. You’ll see the color and texture of your cabinets and tile change under different lighting styles. After your showroom experience, you’ll never say “that’s not what it looked like in your showroom”. We help you visualize your project with computer-aided designs. Call McHale’s KBA to learn more about how we can help you with a toilet replacement in Pennsylvania!

By McHales Kitchen and Bath

A Homeowner’s Checklist For Choosing A Modern Toilet

Dec 27, 2018

A Homeowner’s Checklist For Choosing A Modern Toilet

  • bathroom remodeling
bathroom remodeling in Bucks County by McHale's Kitchen and Bath

When purchasing a toilet for your home or business, there are a great many variables to consider along with cost and color. Height, shape, size, style, water efficiency, and flushing power are all factors that can mean the difference between you being comfortably seated on the porcelain throne or working a plunger. Here is a checklist of things that may make a significant difference when you schedule your bathroom remodeling in Bucks County from McHale’s.

Bathroom Remodeling in Bucks County Done by McHale’s

Utility Bills

For homeowners that are connected to city and town utilities, you know that water bill can make you do a double take. Bathrooms use nearly half of the average home’s water and toilets alone account for about 25 to 30 percent of your water. Older seven-gallon tanks can run you nearly 13,000 gallons per year on average. But if you were to reduce down to a newer 1.28-gallon tank, the annual average consumption could drop to about 2,300 gallons. Basically, your water bill would drop by about 10,000 gallons. One would be correct to say, large tanks are flushing your money down the drain.

Seat Height

The standard height of a toilet is about 14.5 inches, measuring from the floor to rim. Some models are designed to accommodate slightly taller people with a height of about 16 inches. Handicap-rated units and height-friendly models can range from 17 to 19 inches. Obviously, there is a good amount of distance and difference between these models when you bend your knees. The days of selecting the standard unit are a thing of the past. It’s important to pick a height that is comfortable for you and your family. You may want to pick up a step stool for the little ones as well.

Bowl Shape

Toilet bowls come in two basic shapes, round and oval shaped. Oval shaped models are generally a couple of inches long from front to back than their round counterparts and people find them more comfortable, in general. You will need to account for those extra inches in your bathroom layout.

Space

Building codes generally require 15 inches from center to the wall and at least two feet in front. These distances are fine if you have limited space in your bathroom. However, having a good 30 inches in front will make you feel less cramped. And plan for enough elbow room for your sized body. You are not limited to building code measurements. They are the minimums.

Performance and Efficiency

There are two basic types of toilet flushing systems, gravity, and pressure:

  • Gravity Fed: Like many standard home toilets, a tank holds the water. You push the lever and it moves everything down the drain. They can generate as little as 10 PSI and work effectively. They are generally less expensive than pressure toilets but may not push waste as effectively. Basically, they can clog more often.
  • Pressure Units: These models use compressed water and air to force waste down the drain. They tend to make a bit more noise than gravity-fed toilets and your home will need a minimum of about 25 PSI of water pressure for it to function well. These models use less water and the tanks tend to be smaller. The downside for pressurized toilets is that they are usually more expensive.

Features

Like most modern conveniences, toilets have evolved and your purchase now comes with several options that can personalize your experience. Here are some features to consider with a McHale’s bathroom remodeling in Bucks County:

  • Dual Flush: One water conservation option is the two-button flush control. Basically, you can press partial flush for liquids or a full flush for solids. It saves a considerable amount of water over time – a great goal for bathroom remodeling in Bucks County!
  • Concealed and Skirted Trapways: The backs and sides of toilets can look soiled very quickly. Concealed or skirted trapways give the toilet a sleek look and exterior that is easy to clean and doesn’t “trap” as much grime. These make your toilet easy to clean and looking clean longer.
  • One Piece or Two: The vast majority of toilets in use are the two-piece type. The tank rests on the bowl portion and is tightened in place. These are usually easy to find replacement parts for at local hardware stores. But one-piece units, although more expensive, are quite sleek and much easier to keep clean. Wall mounted units are also excellent space savers and good for people using wheelchairs. They do require strong support walls.
  • Touchless Units: Automatic flushing sensors are wonderful for those who don’t like touching toilets or who have forgetful friends and family members. There are also retro-fitting kits available for some models that you can just wave your hand over. They have a fun sci-fi feel about them.
  • Color: About 85 percent of homeowners choose white. But, you can purchase yours in a wide array of colors. Just be careful with “trendy” colors. When the color goes out of style, your bathroom might go with it.
  • Rebates and Warranties: Remember to check for manufacturer rebates and consider what warranty options are available. You never know if your unit has a defect.

Selecting a toilet that is just right for you and your family means weighing the many options, variables, and features of today’s makes and models. It’s also important to discuss your learning with an experienced plumber. When you need Bathroom Remodeling in Bucks County, call the experts at McHale’s!

By McHales Kitchen and Bath