Toilet Talk

Toilets are not the most glamorous fixture in the home, but they are a necessity. And when not operating well, they are a source of discomfort for all. For more on toilet repair, replacement and water savings, read on. If you have a clogged toilet, click here.

Toilets use approximately 30% of residential water consumption. Over the course of a lifetime, a person may flush the toilet 140,000 times. Using pre-1994 toilets, that can amount to 450,000 gallons of water per person. If the toilet is pre-1980, the number can be staggering.

Saving water is simple. By being conscious of toilet performance, large amounts of water can be easily saved.

• Replace pre-1994 toilets. Pre-1980 toilets can use 5.0 or more gpf (gallons per flush). Toilets made between 1980 and 1994 can use 3.5 gpf. Since 1994, toilets use 1.6 gpf. By replacing a 3.5 gpf toilet with a 1.6 gpf toilet, a person can save 3,400 gallons of water per year.

• Repair leaky, runny toilets. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. A simple dye test can determine if you toilet is leaking.

• Repair or replace poor performing toilets. Some of the earlier 1.6 gpf toilets do not perform well, requiring more than one flush to get the job done. Newer toilets perform much better and do not require an additional flush.

Toilet replacement or repairs save you money. Sure, it costs to repair or replace a toilet, but the savings will out weigh the cost.

• Your water bill or electric bill (well water) will decrease with reduced water usage. You may save up to $78 annually.

• Less water usage decreases stress on sewer or septic systems, possibly reducing maintenance.

• Rebates are available in some water districts when replacing an old, water guzzler to a low flow, high performance toilet. Rebates may range from $25 to $125.

Higher Efficiency Toilets (HET's) can save you (and the environment) even more. HET's are one the market as we speak. HET's use 1.3 gpf or less, therefore decreasing water usage all the more, while increasing your savings.

Ask us what options may be best for you. And start saving water today!

If you are looking for a toilet repair contractor in the Sacramento or Placer area, please call us today at 1-888-SLOW-DRAIN or complete our online request form.