Guest Author Michelle Silvis from Wilkinson Supply Company in Raleigh, NC.
Why Do You Want to Put a Toilet in My Wall?
Or a better question: "Are you aware of the advantages of owning a concealed carrier, wall-hung toilet system?"
Wall Mount Toilets Have European History
While floor-mounted toilets have been the norm in the United States since the outhouse, Europe has employed wall-mounted and wash-down toilets since 1960.
Currently enjoying roughly 70% market share, wall-mounted toilets have a lot to offer those who choose to do their research and plan their bathrooms in advance.
Wall Mount Toilets are Cleaner and Easier to Care For
Anyone who has ever swept or mopped around a toilet knows that grime and filth congeal around the area where the toilet touches the floor.
Completely sanitizing the area is no less than an intensive, hands-and-knees affair. With a wall-hung toilet however, there is no wax-ring or surface area to worry about. A mop or broom glides easily underneath. You also get a cleaner bowl-per-flush.
Wash Down System Keeps Wall Mount Toilets Cleaner with Less Water
The cleaner bowl is achieved through a washdown system.
Traditional siphonic toilets swirl the water around the bowl in order to create a vacuum in the trapway. By this method, water leaves the bowl first, followed by the waste. This is an adequate system until you attempt to conserve water. Lowering the gallon-per-flush results in clogging or a complete loss of siphonic action.
Washdown systems, by contrast, do not need to create a siphon in the trapway to be effective.
The trapway is typically 1" to 2" larger in diameter (allowing more waste to pass through) and a steeper pitch to the bowl, coupled with a wider rim design, "pushes" the water through the trapway, forcing waste out first, with the water on its heels.
There are several advantages to this method: enhanced longevity, less debris left behind, and less water required to initiate the flushing action, to name a few.
Adjustable Rim Height is Another Advantage for Wall Mount Toilets
Another great feature of concealed carrier units is having an adjustable rim-height.
These systems can easily accommodate a rim height of 15" to 19", typically in the same unit. For those who are unhappy about the height of their toilet, or those who are planning a child's bathroom, this is a unique, yet comfortable, customization.
And with a weight limit of 880 lbs (Gerberit wall-hung carriers), there's never a worry about the bowl separating from the wall, regardless of the user's weight.
Wall Mount Toilets Conceal the Goods, Create More Space
Concealed carrier units are also known for their space savings and aesthetics.
Since the water tank and all major bells & whistles are hidden-from-view in the wall, around 9" of additional space gets freed up, which is perfect for small powder rooms or master bathrooms where minimalism is the design goal. And with zero refill noise, your spouse's late-night trips to the bathroom are only distracting in how they exit the bed.
Dual Flush Valve Options Are Another Green Feature for Wall Mount Toilets
Now if the tank is in the wall, how do I flush?
Most wall-mounted units (like the Duravit Duraflush wall-mount) have the flush valve as a single button built into the wall, so there is never the hold-down-the-lever-an-extra-two-seconds moment that can occur with standard toilets. Simply press once and no more worries. There is also a dual-flush option available, which can be a great, green feature. Being able to choose between 0.8 or 1.6 gallons per flush easily cuts your water bill and curbs your water use significantly.
Thinking Clean and Green?
So if you are in the planning stages of your new bathroom, and are looking for a cleaner-looking and greener alternative to the standard, floor-mounted toilet, a concealed carrier solution might be for you.
Special thanks to Michelle Silvis and Wilkinson Supply Company for this information on wall mount toilets. For energy efficient appliances and fixtures, contact Wilkinson Supply - they'll be able to compare and contrast many different models and features, to ensure you have the best product for your needs.
Wilkinson Supply Company - Raleigh
3300 Bush Street Raleigh, NC 27609
PHONE - 919-834-0395
Read about more green home building topics at http://www.greenhomestriangle.com/.
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Penny, I love the way the Europeans think. Had I known about these toilets, I would have had them installed in our home when we were building in 2005. Oh well, perhaps our next home.