Most of us don’t think twice about our toilet positioning when installing them in our homes or using them. We simply expect all toilets to function the same and be of the same comfort level. However, there’s more to the average toilet than meets the eye. Did you know there’s such a thing as a comfort height toilet? You can learn more about comfort height toilets, their benefits, how they differ from traditional toilets, and more below.
Comfort Height Toilet vs. Standard
A comfort height toilet, also known as a ‘right height’ toilet, is a toilet that is taller than a traditional toilet. While traditional toilets are 15 inches high, comfort toilets feature higher seats and measure between 17 and 19 inches tall. While they aren’t typically installed as ‘standard’ in most homes, they are starting to become more popular as homeowners seek out more comfort in the bathroom.
Most of the best comfort height toilets differ from standard height toilets in the advantages they offer, with some homeowners finding the higher seat easier to sit on and stand up from. The extra height can also line up with the height of a wheelchair seat for people with disabilities.
If you’ve been exploring toilet repair or replacement, or you’ve been thinking about a total bathroom remodel, you may consider installing a comfort height toilet with the help of a highly regarded plumbing service provider.
Benefits of Comfort Height Toilets
When you’re undertaking bathroom remodeling or replacing a leaking or broken toilet with the help of a reputable plumber, there can be great value in exploring comfort height toilets. Many property owners install them for some of these reasons:
Easier Sitting and Standing
Whether you have mobility challenges, joint pain, arthritis, or simply like to be comfortable, a comfort height toilet can tick all the right boxes. As these toilets are taller than traditional ones, they allow for easier sitting down and standing up and can reduce the need for excessive bending.
Comfortable for Taller People
Many taller people struggle with traditional toilets. Their low height can cause back and knee strain as well as discomfort when sitting down and standing up.
However, unless they know how to replace a toilet, they often put up with feeling uncomfortable. Fortunately, with the help of a plumbing service provider, you can install a comfort height toilet and say goodbye to those struggles.
ACA Compliance
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was established to protect people with disabilities in public life. That extends to bathrooms. Alongside grab bars, faucets, and accessible basins, ADA-compliant bathrooms also have comfort height toilets. ADA-compliant toilets are 17 to 19 inches off the ground. If you require accessible features in your home, you’ll enjoy knowing that comfort height toilets fulfill that requirement.
Plenty of Options
With comfort height toilets becoming more commonplace in residential homes, toilet manufacturers are now producing plenty of options for your local plumbing companies to install. It’s easy enough for the average homeowner thinking about replacing a toilet to find a sleek and modern comfort height toilet to suit their bathroom design.
Better Toilet Posture
The best toilet posture involves a squatting position in which your knees are above your hips and your legs are slightly spread. This position relaxes your rectal muscles, reduces straining, straightens the colon, and may even shorten how long it takes to produce bowel movements.
Given that comfort height toilets can help people sit more naturally, they may enjoy more comfortable bathroom trips with reduced strain on the body.
Drawbacks of Comfort Height Toilets
There are certainly many benefits associated with comfort height toilets. However, you deserve to make a well-informed decision about any bathroom changes, which is why you may also like to be aware of any drawbacks. Your local plumbing repair and installation service providers can answer any questions you have before you explore toilet replacement and weigh up standard vs. comfort height toilets.
There can be a few drawbacks of comfort height toilets worth being aware of, such as:
Not comfortable for children
While comfort height toilets are ideal for taller people, they are less practical for children. Children may struggle to sit on the seats or stand in front of these toilets without stools.
Not comfortable if you can’t touch the ground
If you install a 17-inch comfort height toilet or even one that’s taller and can’t touch the ground, you may not find these toilets all that comfortable. You may even feel as though the circulation in your legs is being cut off. The average comfort height toilet height can be a drawback.
Consider who will be using the toilet before you install it with the help of the best plumber in your area. Fortunately, alternatives to comfort height toilets exist, such as leaving your current toilet in place and installing a raised seat.
Considerations When Installing a Comfort Height Toilet
There can be much to think about when planning any bathroom remodels, and a 17, 18, or 19-inch comfort height toilet installation is no exception to the rule. You must weigh the pros and cons and consider whether your current bathroom setup will work well with such a toilet. Here are some of the many considerations worth keeping in mind:
Your Bathroom’s Size and Available Space
Whether you have a large or small bathroom, considering its size and available space can be important for ensuring your new comfort height toilet will fit where you want it to go.
You’ll need plenty of room around the toilet for ease of use, with minimum clearance in front of it of at least 21 inches.
Plumbing Compatibility
Your chosen licensed plumber can be of great help when establishing plumbing compatibility, including the rough-in measurement, waste pipe alignment, and your water supply line.
The rough-in measurement is the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the middle of the waste pipe. Most comfort height toilets have rough-in dimensions of around 12 inches but can also be 10 and 14 inches.
Waste pipe alignment is of equal importance. Ensure the flange and waste pipe align in your toilet’s inlet. Your local trusted plumber can make adjustments if necessary.
Finally, make sure your water supply line is in the correct position to connect to your toilet’s fill valve. Sometimes, the pipe needs to be adjusted or an extension installed.
Accessibility
When you’re installing a comfort height toilet for accessibility, it can be a major consideration. You may like to add extra features alongside your comfort height toilet, like a soft-close lid, a padded seat, a raised seat, and grab bars.
Efficiency and Performance
Just as you would consider efficiency and performance when installing other fixtures in a bathroom or kitchen remodel, you can do the same when installing a comfort height toilet. For example, you may like to review toilet bowl designs since you can purchase both gravity-fed and pressure-assisted models. Some of these options are designed to ensure water efficiency and minimize clogging.
Water-saving features may also be important to you, so look for water-saving technologies like dual-flush buttons.
Costs
You will likely have a specific budget in mind for any bathroom or kitchen remodeling project you embark on. Don’t be afraid to set a budget when buying a comfort height toilet. They can vary in price quite significantly and tend to be more expensive than traditional toilets.
Think about how much you want to spend and what you would like to get for your money, such as a dual flush feature or a padded seat.
Maintenance Requirements
The last thing any property owner wants is to call an emergency plumber to their home for a catastrophic toilet failure. That’s why learning about toilet maintenance requirements can be important. You can learn what your toilet needs to keep it in good condition and possibly reduce the risk of a plumbing emergency.
Most comfort height models are easy to maintain, but here are a few maintenance tasks that you may like to prioritize:
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning can be important for any toilet, and a comfort height toilet is no exception. Always use non-abrasive cleaners and avoid harsh chemicals. Focus on the parts of the toilet where stains and mineral deposits can form, like around the drain hole and under the rim.
Don’t forget to wipe down the outer surfaces like the base, tank, and seat, and wipe the flush handle and toilet seat with a disinfectant cloth or wipe.
Leak Checking
An emergency plumbing professional can assist with any toilet leaks that arise, but only if they know about them! That’s why leak checking can be an important part of toilet maintenance. Always check the tank-to-bowl connection, the base of the toilet, and the water supply line. These are the most common areas to find toilet leaks. If you find any, you can contact your local plumber to fix them.
Flush Mechanism Inspection
Flush mechanisms can wear out over time, which is why inspecting them can be important. Check the flush handle and chain to ensure they are moving freely and are of the correct adjustment. If they’re too tight or loose, adjust them to make them easier to use while flushing.
You can also look at the flapper valve to check for buildup or wear. Toilet flapper replacement can be necessary if your toilet isn’t flushing correctly or is running continuously. You can also inspect the flush valve at the same time to look for deterioration and cracks. If you notice any damage, your local general plumbing service provider may be able to help with valve replacement.
Aesthetics
You deserve to have the bathroom of your dreams, so don’t settle for less than the best when it comes to comfort height toilets. There are many standout comfort height toilets on the market that are designed to be aesthetically pleasing in modern bathrooms.
If you’re unsure which model to buy based on its looks or fit for your bathroom, you can talk to your local trusted commercial or residential plumber, who can provide advice and recommendations.
Find a Plumber Near Me: Choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Professional Toilet Installation
Whether you’re installing a comfort height toilet or a traditional toilet, you deserve the best plumbing service providers in your area. Look no further than Mr. Rooter Plumbing for a licensed and insured plumbing team you can trust.
We can assist with all manner of plumbing installation needs, from traditional and comfort height toilets to vanities, showers, and full bathroom remodels. Request a job estimate or call us to learn more about how we can help with your next bathroom project.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing is proud to be a local trusted name in the plumbing industry, with upfront pricing, no overtime charges, 50+ years of industry experience, and guaranteed workmanship and parts.
