Is It Time for A New Toilet Installation in Your Vancouver Home?

Flushing your toilet amounts to 30 percent of our overall water usage in Vancouver. Sad but true, especially if you consider that we're treating a necessity like it is a luxury. Luckily, there are ways to control how much we actually wash down the drain, so it's no longer necessary to use almost two gallons of water to get rid of human waste. With newer, more energy-efficient models available for your home, Vancouver toilet installation and replacement services are some of the best ways to reduce water usage.

When advanced, flushable toilets became more widespread in the 1950s and 1960s, they would use an unimaginable five to six gallons per flush, which equals 18 to 26 litres. Today, there are many modern alternatives that provide more than enough flushing power while also limiting the amount of water that they use. If you have an older toilet, you might be surprised to learn that it could be costing you money, but don’t despair! Modern technology has improved, and your local Vancouver plumber at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver, BC, is your go-to person to ask about toilet installation services.

There are many benefits that come with a new toilet installation in Vancouver. Whether you have an old toilet that you want to replace or you just need a new toilet as part of a recent renovation, our team of expert plumbers can ensure that your new porcelain throne meets all your needs and answer any questions you might have about Vancouver toilet installation and replacement.

Different Toilet Types for Vancouver Homes

Before we dive further into Vancouver toilet installation, let’s learn more about the popular types that you find in many households. This way, it will be easier for you to determine your preferences concerning your Vancouver home's circumstances. Your standard traditional system is composed of a bowl and a tank. However, there are three major types to choose from:

• One-Piece: This model has a tank and bowl attached to each other, which keeps leakage to a minimum and facilitates cleaning efforts. While this version is easier to install than a two-piece, it's a tad more expensive due to its durability and high-end look.
• Two-Piece: This model has a separate tank and bowl and is most common in households. It's less expensive and more economical and comes with more options for looks and heights. While replacement parts are easy to find, this type can be prone to breakage and leaks.
• Wall-Mounted: A wall-hung toilet is directly mounted to the wall, with a tank installed inside the wall. It's the most expensive of all three because it's more difficult to install. However, it also comes with a few benefits, such as added space in your bathroom.

Modern Toilet Types and Advanced Flushing Mechanisms

There are many modern types of toilets available for installation in Vancouver, but most regular homeowners just want a functional model with a healthy storage tank that drains water into the bowl when activating the button or lever. However, some people are more interested in the alternatives available for Vancouver toilet installation. Depending on your needs, there is a wide range of toilet replacement options that could benefit you—from different types to different flush mechanisms.

Alternative Modern Toilet Types

Upflush

This type does not require intensive plumbing work for installation. In fact, it's fully mobile and flexible in terms of placement, making toilet installation easy for tight spaces or areas not ideal for pipework. Unlike traditional plumbing fixtures, upflush systems have a unique discharge system made of a macerator unit and a pipe that processes human waste and toilet paper. Instead of gravitational flush into the drain, this type sends the shredded waste through an upward discharge line into Vancouver's sewage system.

Low-Flow

If protecting your environment and conserving water is your priority, a low-flow toilet installation will be your best bet. Most low-flow models use 1.28 gallons per flush, if not less. You can reduce your usage by 20 to 60 percent with a new toilet installation. Vancouver, BC homeowners who take advantage of this kind of system, could see significant savings on their water bills.

Keep in mind that clogs can happen when you use less water or have a low-pressure system. Your licensed plumber can inspect your existing plumbing system to tell you what needs to be done to ensure a smooth installation. That said, modern low-flows have gone through some enhancement in recent years and are now more efficient than the earlier versions that may have been more prone to clogs.

Compost Toilets

Composting is a biological process of treating human waste in a way that can sustainably fertilize plants and preserve your local water quality, and it’s possible to get a type of toilet built to serve that purpose. These models are more popular in remote areas, and when done right, you can enhance the growth of plants in areas where soil amendment is allowed. Still, it comes with high maintenance and can lead to odours, pests, and health hazards if mishandled.

Flush Mechanisms

Dual Flush

This is a common and environmentally friendly option for Vancouver homeowners and allows you to hit a half or full flush button for fluid or solid waste. Although it's expensive to buy, it's also more energy-efficient, which will save you money in the long run and help you manage your water usage.

Double Cyclone

You might have seen this powerful type a lot in commercial washrooms. As its name suggests, the water swirls like a cyclone and effectively cleans the bowl before rinsing and flushing. They're not as efficient as a dual-flush toilet but still have a water-saving quality that saves you money on your monthly bill.

Tornado

This is your next level of the double cyclone, using three jets positioned sideways around the top of the bowl. Although it swirls around powerfully like a tornado, it still has a quiet flush.

Gravity

This flushing mechanism is the most common and secure for standard households. Water drops from the holding tank into the bowl as you flush, pushing the waste through the trapway. Gravity types tend to be silent, don't clog easily, and operate with fewer parts.

Pressure-Assisted Flush

This mechanism has an additional pressure vessel within the main tank. When water mixes with that compressed air in the pressure vessel, it becomes pressurized and leads to a powerful flush. This system is reliably efficient, strong, and suitable for large family households. The only downside is that it's noisy.

Auto Flush / Touchless

Many of Vancouver’s public and commercial washrooms have motion sensor features to support a healthier and more hygienic environment. This will be your choice for installation if you want to reduce bacteria and virus spread and conserve water.

Flushometer Valve

This powerful mechanism is suited for tankless toilets, which you also find in commercial washrooms. The key components are the bowl and flushometer valve, which means barely any extra parts are required. During your flush, water leaves through the flush valve into the bowl. It's considered robust and good at handling frequent uses.

You will be surprised to know that some advanced flushing mechanisms can create whirlpool effects in a bowl! Our Vancouver toilet installation professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing can answer any questions you may have and advise you about the best options for a perfect toilet installation. Vancouver, BC, homes can benefit from having modern, water-efficient options that help reduce their monthly bills.

DIY Vancouver Toilet Installation: Can You Do It?

It is not impossible if you have previously installed one. Overall, it’s safer and more convenient to leave it to a licensed plumbing professional, especially if you plan to upgrade to a newer model that might have special requirements, such as drain pipe realignment. We recommend that you look into that before choosing your plumbing fixture and inspect the corresponding drain line. If you decide to go ahead with your DIY Vancouver toilet installation, ensure that you also have your tools ready as well as a partner. Remember that a standard one-piece toilet can weigh up to 88 lbs because the toilet and tank are fused. On the other hand, a two-piece model typically weighs approximately 55 lbs.

Gather your materials:

• New toilet
• Tank
• Parts: flange, wax ring (seal), supply line, brass bolts
• Rags
• Plumber's putty
• Plastic shims

…and tools:

• Rubber gloves
• A marker
• Screwdriver set
• Utility knife
• Putty knife
• Hacksaw
• Tubing cutter
• Adjustable wrenches

Vancouver Toilet Installation Steps

Assuming you have done the necessary research and measurements, and have gathered all the correct size replacement materials, follow these steps for a safe Vancouver toilet installation process:

1. Turn Off Your Water: Locate the shut-off valve behind your toilet base and turn it closed.
2. Secure Your Work Area: Place old towels or rags on your bathroom floor to absorb any potential leaks.
3. Remove The Old Model: Press the flush handle down to get rid of any remaining water from the tank and bowl. Then, detach the supply line with a wrench at both connection points. If you have a two-piece type, it might be easier to separate your tank from the bowl first. Next, use a wrench to remove the bolts that connect the bottom of the tank to the bowl. Lift up the tank and set it safely aside, so you can remove the bolts.
4. Remove Bits and Pieces: Continue to remove other pieces, including nuts and washers.
5. Score Caulking: Some toilets are caulked around their base, but you can use a utility knife to break the caulk by scoring it.
6. Rock It Off: Gently rock the base to loosen the bottom further before lifting up your old toilet bowl.
7. Inspect Parts: You may inspect old parts to check their condition, but overall, we recommend replacing them all if they are not made of durable materials. Consider replacing the flange, wax ring, bolts, and supply line.
8. Clean: Use a putty knife to properly remove the wax ring and clean around the area with a damp cloth. As this can be time-consuming, you should temporarily stuff the opening with a dirty rag to prevent sewer gas from rising up.
9. Install A New Wax Ring: You can either attach the wax ring to your new toilet bowl’s bottom or place it directly over your new flange.
10. Install The Bolts: Attach your replacement bolts to the flange.
11. Install Your New Toilet: This might be the most challenging part. As you place your new bowl onto the flange, ensure it aligns with the bolt holes in its base. Rock it lightly to make sure the seal is tight.
12. Bolt Your Base Into Place: We recommend brass bolts for more durability. Remember to place washers and nuts on each bolt and tighten them (but don’t overtighten!).
13. Install Your Tank: If you’re installing a two-piece toilet, you’ll need to attach the tank to the bowl, whereas a one-piece won’t require this step. If your case is the former, install your tank by inserting the bolts into the tank and placing it onto the bowl, aligning the bolt holes.
14. Tighten the Bolts: Tighten until the tank sits nicely on the bowl.
15. Attach Your Supply Line: Install a new line by tightening the nut to the fill valve below the tank. Then, tighten the other nut to the supply valve.
16. Turn On Water Supply: Open your shut-off valve, allow the tank to fill, and check for leaks.

Replace Your Toilet Flapper to Reduce Your Monthly Bill

Every Vancouver homeowner wants to reduce their water bill, not only for economic reasons but also to preserve our environment. It’s scary to see how much we already have to cover for water supply and wastewater treatment, not to mention stormwater and drainage management. If upgrading your toilet is too big of a step yet, and your existing one appears to be just fine, you can ask your professional plumber for helpful advice. If you have a tank-based fixture, they will inspect your fill valve and flapper and likely suggest that you replace these parts for better functionality.

Some Vancouver property owners don’t know that they’ve been using a wrong-size flapper for years and would have wasted endless litres of water that way. It’s hard to spot fixture inefficiency sometimes—unless it’s a more obvious defect like a phantom flush during which your tank spontaneously refills itself. With an inspection and some basic replacements from a knowledgeable plumber, you may be able to save money on your bills and reduce your water usage.

Do You Need Toilet Installation Services in Vancouver?

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver is always ready to answer your call. We are your one-call solution for all your plumbing needs, from plumbing installation and replacement to Vancouver drain cleaning and Vancouver plumbing repair services. Require someone to be available 24/7 for any emergency plumbing needs? No problem! You can rest assured that you won't ever have to wait until Monday morning for our reliable expert services. Our Vancouver plumbers provide guaranteed repairs for every emergency—as well as other routine maintenance.