Three Easy Steps to Repair a Leaky Wax Seal on Your Toilet

Symptom: There is water on the floor around the base of my toilet or water leaks from under the base of my toilet when I flush.

Usually this happens when the wax ring looses it's seal. Replacing the wax ring under the toilet bowl should repair this problem.

The first step in making this repair is to turn off the water source and remove all the water from your toilet tank and bowl. A good maintenance tip is to have a stop valve installed before the water supply line to the toilet tank. This is very common in most residences. If there is no stop valve the water will have to be turned off outside to make this repair. Many times an inline shut off valve will be installed where the water enters the home. The water can be turned off here, or at the street where the water meter is installed. A good maintenance procedure is to install a shut off valve right outside the house where the water enters from the street. It is also very convenient for making other plumbing repairs.

Next, once all the water is out of the toilet tank and bowl and the water is turned off, disconnect the water supply line to the toilet tank. Next Remove the nuts from the bolts that hold the toilet bowl to the floor so you can lift the bowl off the floor and away from the toilet flange(top of the sewer pipe). Inspect the flange for deterioration or damage. Cast iron pipe flanges rust over time and may need to be repaired or replaced. There are several options for repairing a cast iron flange. Putting a new steel ring over the top of the cast iron flange, chipping off the rusted flange and replacing with a new cast iron flange, or inserting a PVC (plastic) flange with an expansion joint are some of the options for repairing a damaged or deteriorated cast iron flange. Repair techniques for PVC flanges include using a "half moon" metal part, or a PVC spacer. All these parts can be purchased at your local home improvement store.

The last step, once you have inspected and/or repaired the toilet flange is to install the wax ring that you purchased at the local home improvement store. The wax ring is applied to the bottom of the toilet bowl. Set the bolts in the toilet flange and carefully set the toilet bowl over the bolts onto the wax ring. Install the nuts onto the bolts being careful not to over tighten. Reattach the water supply line and open the valve. Check for leaks. Once the tank is full, do a test flush to be sure you have a good seal at the flange. Your repair is complete!

Tools needed: channel lock pliers, adjustable wrench, hammer.

How to Use a Chemical Toilet

Have you ever thought that it might be useful to own a chemical toilet? Plenty of people do buy these products every year and yet it's clear that there's a real lack of information available about them online. I'm not quite sure why this should be the case, but this article aims to provide some useful information.

There are a number of manufacturers making chemical portable toilets at the moment. You may well have heard of some of the better known companies, such as Thetford. There will also be some manufacturers who will doubtless be unknown to you at present. Fortunately, most chemical toilets work in a very similar manner.

They are designed for situations where there are no other alternative toilet arrangements available, or where such alternatives are simply not of a high enough standard. So let's take a closer look at how they work.

Most chemical toilets are divided into two sections. The upper section usually includes the toilet seat and a tank that is used to hold fresh water. Just as is the case with a home toilet, there is likely to be a flushing mechanism. This enables the freshwater to clean the toilet bowl after use.

The aim of this is to keep the toilet clean, ensuring that you have to carry out the minimum of maintenance. It is best to add suitable chemicals to the freshwater tank, as they will assist with cleaning and also offer a more attractive odour.

The bottom half of the toilet will usually include a waste tank. As the name suggests, this is where the waste products will be stored after you flush the toilet. Once again, you would usually add the appropriate chemicals to this lower tank in order to ensure that waste materials break down quickly.

More expensive chemical toilets will also tend to have a level indicator on the bottom tank. This will tell you when the tank is becoming full. At this point, you can empty the waste tank at a suitable location within the caravan site or camp site.

This is easily done, since most chemical toilets are designed in such a way as to ensure that they can be separated into two parts quickly.

As you can see, using a chemical toilet is fairly simple. This guide should give you an overview of the basics.

Some portable toilets will also offer additional functionality, but most people manage with more basic models.

What's Wrong With My Toilet

Four of the most common symptoms when troubleshooting and diagnosing your toilet for maintenance and repair.

Symptom #1 There is water on the floor around the base of my toilet or water leaks from under the base of my toilet when I flush. Usually this happens when the wax ring looses it's seal. This is caused by lack of use (wax ring dries up)or, more commonly the toilet moves causing a break in the seal. The toilet moves usually because the flange on the sewer pipe breaks and the bolt no longer holds the toilet in place or the porcelain cracks where the bolt holds the tank to the floor. Repairs can be made by the homeowner.

Symptom #2: Water is leaking from between my tank and bowl. The tank and bowl are held together by bolts (usually two) and there are rubber seals on the bolts and between the tank and bowl. Local water conditions and bowl cleaners that are put into the toilet tank can cause these items to deteriorate. Unless there is a crack in the tank, replacing these items will repair this problem.

Symptom #3: The toilet tank is filling with water even when I'm not using it. There is a part in your toilet tank called the flapper. It is attached to the flush valve. It is usually a soft rubber which over time can deteriorate due to age, water conditions or adding bowl cleaners to the tank. Replacing the flapper will repair this problem. Most flappers are universal.

Symptom #4: The water will not shut off even after the tank is full. Repair or replace the fill valve. This is the valve that lets water into your tank from the water supply line. There are several types. The two most common fill valves are the horizontal floating ball that is attached to an arm which in turn opens or closes the fill valve , and the vertical floating ball which rides up and down the fill valve shaft closing or opening the fill valve. In many cases, replacing the seals in the fill valve will repair this problem. However, most people opt to replace the fill valve totally.

Her Fix-it Guide to Toilet Repair

Imagine your home without toilets. Yes, the thought itself is enough to make you cringe. The toilet is often the most used, or should we say the most 'misused' fixture in the home. The importance of the toilet can only be felt at the exact point in time when something goes wrong with it. Toilets generally are a fairly easy DIY project that can be successfully completed by anyone. With just a bit of work and the tips you will find in this article, you should be able to quickly fix your toilet.

The first step in fixing a toilet is to determine the problem with the toilet. Your toilet could either be a slow moving toilet, or it could be clogged, or it could even be a running toilet. A slow moving toilet implies that you have to flush the toilet quite a number of times and the water drains away quite slowly. Slow moving toilets are often the result of clogged sewage drain pipes, and are at risk of suddenly clogging completely and overflowing. No one likes to clean up the mess an overflowing toilet creates. A running toilet is one where once you flush it, the water does not want to stop flowing into the toilet bowl. A running toilet can use up a large amount of water over a fairly short period, so it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Make no difference which problem you have, you can fix it yourself. If you happen to have a clogged or slow moving toilet, then the first thing you should do is turn off water supply to the toilet. You can do this can be by turning the knob on the shut off valve to the right until the water supply stops. The valve is normally placed a few inches above the floor on the left when facing the toilet.

Now determine which the problem you have. To do this, pour a bucket of water quickly into the bowl. If it flushes slowly, the toilet has developed a clog. Clear the clog affecting your toilet by first using a plunger. If this removes the clog, then you can turn the water back on to the toilet, if it does not clear the clog, then you should try using a plumber's snake. This tool will allow you to clear most any clog.

Once you have the clog taken care of, then you should clear the mineral deposits that tend to develop in the small holes under the rim of the toilet. This will help your toilet flush much more effectively. These holes can be cleared with a stiff bristled brush, or you can use the bent end of a coat hanger to poke the holes clear. You might also want to make use of a small mirror to see the holes that are being cleared.

If your toilet is letting water into the bowl at all times, then you have a running toilet. First off, remove the toilet tank lid and sit aside out of your way. Some people like to place it in the bathtub. Next check the ball cock, which is the valve that the float is attached to. If water is coming out of the valve, you may need to replace it.

If that doesn't seem to be the problem, then press down on the flap at the bottom of the toilet tank to see if the water stops running into the bowl. Over time, these flaps tend to warp out of shape and cause the tank to leak into the bowl. If this solves the problem, then replace the tank flap.

Whichever needs replacing, be certain to shut off the water supply to the toilet before you begin your repair.

Residential Plumbing - Finding the Toilet That is Best For You

After years of "making do," you've finally decided to remodel your bathroom. You've selected the colors, the sink, the tub, the floor, the tiles, the mirror, and even the towel racks. But what about the toilet? Never had you imagined that there would be so many choices and decisions to make: the size, the shape of the bowl, the flushing mechanism, just to name a few.

Here are some basic considerations to keep in mind when conducting your search, even before you find a plumber for the job:

1. Size. Toilets come in different lengths, widths and heights, and your main consideration should be to ensure that the size of the toilet and the space available for it allow for a comfortable fit. In addition, it is necessary to mount most toilets 12-14 inches from the wall. These measurements must be accounted for.

2. Shape of the bowl. Bowls can be purchased in either a round or elongated (oval) style. Elongated bowls are generally about two inches longer than round bowls, allowing for maximum comfort. Round bowls are smaller and thus, are better suited for smaller spaces. In addition the many varieties of toilet seats on the market today generally are made to fit round bowls, so with a round bowl it may be easier to match the decor in your bathroom.

3. Flushing mechanism. With regard to flushing, in the U.S. today, two standard flush systems are generally available: (i) the "gravity-flush system," in which the pressure of the water in the tank, together with the weight of the water in the bowl, forces water and waste through the trapway, where a siphoning action completes the flush, and (ii) the "pressure-assisted flush system, " in which a cylinder of compressed air in the tank forces water into the bowl. The "pressure-assisted flush system" provides for a stronger flush and less chance of clogging, but is generally more expensive and noisier than a "gravity-flush system, and may require expensive maintenance. You may also want to consider a "dual flush toilet," which offers a low volume (half) flush for liquid waste and a full volume flush for solid waste. While this type of toilet is more expensive, and the instillation a bit more complicated, the cost savings (and benefit to the environment) are enormous.

4. Trapway. The trapway is the snakelike plumbing through which waste and water flows. Larger and glazed trapways allow for more efficient flushing and decrease the incidence of clogging.

5. Pieces. A two-piece toilet is one in which the water tank is bolted on top of a separate bowl, and is generally somewhat more affordable. Talk to an experienced plumber about your options here. A one-piece toilet is one in which the tank and bowl are integrated without a seam, and tends to be more expensive, but is generally more stylish, smaller and easier to clean.

6. Attachment. Determining how the toilet shall be attached (whether bolted to the floor or mounted to the wall) simply depends on the plumbing in your bathroom. If you have a wall-discharge drain line (the pipe that takes waste and water from your toilet to the septic tank or sewer line) you will need a wall-mounted toilet. A floor-discharge drain line, requires a floor-bolted toilet.

Choosing a High Efficiency Toilet For Sustainability and Water Saving

Do you know that one's residential lavatory is responsible for in the region of 30% of all home water usage, and leaking toilet pipes are a major source of water loss? This considerable use of water prompted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Country to sponsor a plan referred to as WaterSense to help those making acquisitions of toilets to find high-efficiency toilets that are extremely water-efficient to assist the nation save water by decreasing its water and waste water use within the home.

High Efficiency Toilets

The definition of high efficiency toilets is described under federal law within the US, but will probably be totally different across the world. Check your individual nation's specifications to see. In the US any new toilet isn't allowed to use more that 1.6 gallons of water each single flush. High efficiency toilets (HETs) need to advance on that by utilizing not more than 1.26 gallons for each flush (gpf). This saves around 20% over normal new toilets, a large saving if these are rolled out country wide. An impartial laboratory has to endorse these toilets to allow them to obtain the WaterSense label. The certification process is stringent and the toilets have to fulfill stringent efficiency and performance standards.

But Do They Work?

One of many major considerations of shoppers regarding low-flow toilets is whether they provide the same bowl clearing and cleansing standards because the non HETs. The good news is that Water Sense high-efficiency toilets really combine high performance with power and efficiency, unlike the other non HETs. There have been large advances in flushing expertise which makes these toilets usually a lot better at clearing the bowl that standard toilets.

What Savings May be Made?

When you were to put in high efficiency toilets in your house, changing your previous 3.5 gpf lavatory with a WaterSense label toilet you could possibly save water at a rate of4000 gals per year. Over the lifetime of that new rest room, you can save round $2000 in water use and waste water costs, certainly much more than the purchase cost of the toilet. In case you are changing a much older bathroom, the savings could be lots more. And if you happen to, as many other do, have two bathrooms in your house, changing both might be an amazing saver, both financially, and in terms of water conservation.

Excessive Effectivity Toilet Manufacturers

Nearly the entire main toilet producers are actually offering high efficiency low-flow and dual flush toilets for sale to the market. American Standard, Toto, Kohler, Eljer and Gerber all offer the HET alternative. Caroma, Mansfield and Niagara are a number of the lesser know manufacturers also offering these low consumption toilet designs.

It is sensible, in these occasions of drought, uncertainty about climate adjustments, financial turbulence and escalating costs of services like waste water disposal, to consider methods to cut back your water usage. The prices of HET toilets will not be high, rebates may be available on certain areas and their effectiveness makes it a very good time to consider installing excessive efficiency toilets in your home.

Kohler Toilet Seat Review - A Combination of Ergonomics, Aesthetics, and Quality

Kohler is a well-known brand of bathroom appliances that makes innovative toilets and toilet seats. The company is dedicated to both performance and comfort. The flushing systems are designed to flush only when the seat is closed. The seats are designed to stay warm at all times without using up a lot of electricity.

If you are thinking about buying a Kohler toilet seat, you'll be glad to know that they are constructed to fit just about any toilet. They are available in many sizes, shapes, colors, and materials. Every single one is constructed with a focus on ergonomics for comfort. These seats also shut quietly, thus creating a peaceful bathroom atmosphere.

Sold by HomeClick, this collection of seats utilizes technology for an impressive amount of performance. While there are many models to choose from, they do all share some of the same features. For instance, they are all designed to ensure a proper fit. This means you can easily find the right size seat for your toilet, no matter its size or shape. They also have a Quick-Release function that allows them to be easily removed from the toilet.

Many of the Kohler toilet seat models also come with the Heated French Curve technology. This uses a small amount of electricity to warm the seat, thus enhancing the comfort and convenience. If you are concerned about stains, you can get a seat with polypropylene. The more expensive models, such as the Kohler Lustra, come with a resistant polypropylene finish that'll last for decades. It will not peel, stain, or chip. Furthermore, it is made with an antimicrobial agent that prevents bacteria and mildew from growing.

Even the more expensive models are affordable if you take advantage of online coupons and discount offers. No matter which size, shape, or color you want, you should easily be able to find a Kohler toilet seat to go in your bathroom. They all offer numerous features for comfort, quality, aesthetics, and convenience.

Small Bathroom Design Problem Solved With A Small Toilet

A small toilet could be the key to your bathroom-remodeling problem

Remodeling small bathrooms can be difficult especially when you try to fit more into your makeover bathroom than you had in your old one. The key to solving your problem could lie in the design of your new toilet.

Fitting more stuff in your small bathroom

This was the situation that I found myself in when I remodeled my very small bathroom. I wanted to turn the place into a beautiful ceramic heaven that all my family and guests would be pleased to use. I also wanted to add a separate shower cubicle to replace the shower over the bathtub that I hated and this is where the problem lay.

My little bathroom was already crowded with just a bathtub, toilet, washbasin and radiator but I desperately wanted a new shower so I set to work on the design. I armed myself with measuring tape, pencil and graph paper which can be printed for free from here Free Graph Paper for Bathroom remodeling and used it to rearrange the items in bathroom on paper.

By moving the radiator over the bathtub and the washbasin to the opposite wall I managed to free up quite a lot of space but I could see that I still didn't have enough room for the toilet. At least not for one the same size as I had already.

The problems with toilets

The main problem with a lot of toilets is that they take up too much wall space. Not only are the cisterns or tanks too wide but they also often tend to have the water inlet and overflow on the side of the tank, which takes up even more wall space. So I started to look for toilets that would fit into the space that I had available and found that there is quite a lot to choose from.

Choose a small toilet with a bottom inlet feed

I was pleasantly surprised when I started to look for small toilets. I found some that were so tiny that they would fit almost anywhere. Unfortunately they would be very little use for anyone but the most petite of us because they would be completely impractical.

So it's a compromise that we are looking for. A toilet that is big enough to be used by all, and small enough to fit into the available space. You should be able to find small toilets that have cisterns of 16 inches width or less with plumbing that enters from the bottom rather than the side.

The plumbing arrangement helps a lot because side entry takes up a lot of room. The toilet that I chose even directs the overflow into the waste outlet rather than requiring a side-exit pipe to carry it away.

I managed to fit my new small toilet next to my nice new shower cubicle and it all worked out great. I hope that yours does too.

My Toilet is Clogged - What Should I Do With It?

Toilet clogging is the last thing you want to experience. The problem results to other problems like foul smell and inability to use the toilet. With kind of dilemma, you can fix the problem yourself before seeking the help of Cincinnati plumbers. Clogged toilet is due to a foreign material that either intentionally or unintentionally placed there. Someone may have flushed a large object in it that stuck and did not make it to the waste pipe.

If the toilet is not overflowing with water, the use of plunger will do. Cut the water supply while doing the job. Just keep a bucket of water nearby to assist you with the task. The small amount of water in the bowl is enough to make a forceful suction. Keep the pushing and pulling actions, do this for 15 to 20 times. Try to pour some water from your bucket to check if the clog clears. However, do not add too much water. It will cause overflowing if the clog is still there. If the clog remains, call for the Cincinnati plumbers to help you deal with it.

To avoid this problem, you have to orient everyone in the household about what not to flush in the toilet. Cincinnati plumbers identify sanitary napkins, tissues or other large objects as possible cause of obstruction in your waste pipe. Inform your family members to use the trashcan to dispose these things properly. The trouble of clogging objects is more common if you have the low flow toilets. Since they do not have enough water pressure, it does not flush everything in the drain line. To avoid clogging, flush several times or you assist it by manually pouring water while flushing.

Clogged toilets are disgusting. By keeping a plunger in your home, you can deal with it yourself. However, if the clog is too difficult to handle, Cincinnati plumbers are always ready to assist you.

Toilet Terrors And Other Potty Training Fears

Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among toddlers and small children. Look at things from your child’s perspective. He is giving up the security of a diaper for a big, cold thing with a giant hole that might swallow him. Up until this point, your child has been able to go in his diaper. He didn’t have to control himself until a potty was available. He could go anytime and anywhere, knowing that someone would always be there to change his diaper. The idea of having to go to a specific location means he will have to stop what he’s doing to use the potty. To top it all off, he looses the warmth of his diaper and must now go potty naked where other people might be watching!
Common potty training concerns and solutions:
Fear of Making a Mistake – Your child is just beginning to control his bodily functions. He won’t be perfect at it, and might worry that he will be punished for accidents. Throughout the potty training process, assure your child that you are there for him and he can come to you if he’s afraid or worried about something. When accidents happen, don’t make a big deal out of them. Simply clean up and tell him that you know he is trying. Potty training is often a good time to build a trust between you and your child that will last throughout your lives.
Fear of Automatically Flushing Public Toilets – More and more public restrooms switch to automatically flushing toilets. Children who are at the later stages of potty training (transitioned from the potty chair to the toilet) are often fearful of the public toilet flushing while they are seated. These fears can be alleviated with a simple, inexpensive device called the Flush Stopper.
Fear of Falling In – The fear of falling in the toilet is common when your child has mastered the small potty-chair and transitions to the toilet. You can help alleviate this fear by purchasing a potty seat that either fits on the toilet or attaches to the toilet such as the Flip-N-Flush [http://www.zipbaby.com/potty_training_products_flipnflush.php] or PRIMO's Ducka [http://www.zipbaby.com/potty_training_products_primo_ducka.php]. The potty seats will decrease the size of the toilet hole and help your child feel more secure. The Flip-N-Flush is especially useful because it flips down for your child’s use and flips up so that other family members can easily access the regular toilet seat.
Your child’s fears need to be addressed as real and serious fears. If your child knows that you understand and are trying to help, he will feel more relaxed and comfortable while potty training.

The Advantages of a Squat Toilet

Frequent travelers and those who are stationed overseas are very familiar with the concept of a squat toilet. Others, though, may find this to be a very unusual bathroom fixture.

Rather than sitting up off the floor like a standard flush toilet, the squatting toilet is basically just a hole in the ground into which you urinate and defecate. The only exception that you will find is a "pedestal" squat toilet. This style is approximately the same height as toilets found in America.

Squat toilets are most frequently found in Asia and Europe and go by a variety of names, such as Iranian, Turkish, Eastern or Natural-Position toilets. Yet, they function in much the same way as a traditional one.

The main difference between a squat toilet and a flush one, other than the position of the fixture, is the lack of toilet paper. To compensate for this, a bowl or bucket of water is placed next to the unit and you wash yourself rather than wipe. This can be very difficult to get used to when you come from a country with flush toilets, but adjustments have to be made in certain situations.

The reason the squatting toilet is so popular is that many believe it is cleaner and safer than its seated counterpart. Some studies have shown that sitting on a toilet may lead to hemorrhoids.

In addition, it is believed that straining while seated during a bowel movement can lead to illnesses such as constipation, IBS, and colon cancer, among others. The reasoning for this is that the straining causes a lot of pressure on internal organs which leads to nerve damage in these organs. The damaged organs are then more susceptible to disease.

Other concerns focus on the amount of fecal matter left during a bowel movement produced on a seated toilet. Some experts believe that fecal matter left in the body can stagnate and lead to disease also.

Yet, concerns about disease also arise from the use of a squat toilet. People often do not use the fixture properly, or don't care enough to hit the hole. This can lead to a dirty floor surrounding the toilet. When the next person goes to use it, their skirt or pants may fall and land in this mess, leading to sickness. So many people choose to completely remove their lower clothing before using the fixture to eliminate this problem.

The choice of whether to install a squat toilet is personal, and only you can decide if it will work for you. For more information about these unfamiliar eco toilets, see the author's website, shown in the paragraph below.

Getting the Decent Toilet For Your Bathroom

Modern people will definitely find difficulties without toilets. This particular bathroom equipment is very crucial that we cannot live without it these days. Other than its main functionality, you may want to get a proper toilet that is suitable to your bathroom decoration. Pokey looking toilet destroys the look of your bathroom. This is something that you want to avoid at all cost. The message here is to get the proper toilet that will serve you great functionality as well as beautiful design to your bathroom. There are various toilets available in the market with different prices. Therefore, you need to equip yourself with sufficient knowledge so that you can get the proper toilet for your bathroom.

Most of the toilets that you find in the stores will offer 3.5 and 5.5-liter toilet flush capacity. They are the standard for average models. The advanced technology has been contributing to the modern toilet innovation. The new toilet model is introducing low flow feature. This model will only require 1.6-liter water, but the performance will be the same as the one with bigger water capacity. It is a great feature because it is very efficient in term of water usage as well as your water bill. You can minimize the waste water by using this particular model of toilet. This way, you have supported the environment because this toilet is an environment friendly product

Many unbranded toilet manufacturers also come with this low flow feature. However, you should be careful with their products. There is no guarantee that the products can work, as they should be. They might offer you more affordable prices. If you are not careful, you may need to spend more money to repair the toilet later. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you only get a high-quality toilet. You can refer to some popular toilet brands. They have been proven as best in the industry that you can always expect the top quality products as well.

If you are still hesitant to determine which toilet product will be the perfect one for you, you may refer to following tips:

1. You need to check if your local authority requires any standard for the toilet installation. If there is certain requirement, you should comply with it. You need to get the model with the standard compliance.

2. You should purchase popular toilet brands, like Toto and Kohler. They have been manufacturing great quality toilet for years. We recognize their products to be superior in the market. Therefore, you should get this branded toilet if you do not want to get disturbing problems later.

3. There are various model and design of toilet to choose in the market. You should determine what you need and which will suit the decoration of your bathroom. For example, you may want to get 1 piece model with an regular flush toilet, rather than 2 pieces toilet with a gravity flush system.

4. The toilets also come in various sizes. The installation of the toilet requires particular measurement. Generally, you must spare 12-14 inches from the wall so that you can install the toilet properly. Therefore, you should measure your bathroom first before you head off buying the toilet. This way, you can get the right size of toilet that will match your bathroom perfectly.

Save Money and Water With a Dual Flush Toilet Kit

In South Florida every drop of water counts. Water restrictions place limits on how much and when homeowners can irrigate their gardens. People are expected to go to car washes instead of washing their vehicles in their driveways. Conscientious folks take quick showers, flush only when necessary, and don't let the water run when they brush their teeth. That's why dual flush toilet kits are so popular in the sunshine state.

Dual flush toilets save water by using a half flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste, saving overall toilet water usage by 50 percent. All you do is pull the handle down for a half flush and up for a full flush. And, these flapper-less toilets don't leak, as do 12 percent of toilets with flappers-adding to the savings.

While dual flush toilets save water and money in the long run, they are expensive to buy, especially if you already have a perfectly good old-fashioned toilet. Dual flush conversion kits remedy this problem. With a toilet conversion kit homeowners can easily convert their old toilets into "smarter flushes."

The retrofit fits into the tank of any two-piece toilet, converting it into an efficient dual flush toilet in less than 30 minutes. The full conversion kit includes a dual flush valve, a water fill valve, and stainless steel nuts and bolts. With the complete instructions that come with every kit you don't even need a plumber to revolutionize your toilet system. But if you prefer to hire a professional to do the job, you won't have to pay for much of the plumber's time because the retrofit is so easy to do.

In addition to saving money on water, conversion toilets save money on maintenance. By using the conversion kit you replace all working parts in the toilet with new state-of-the-art parts and materials that are resistant to rot, decay, bleach, disinfectants, and corrosion. And there are more advantages: by reducing water usage you reduce wastewater and sewage or septic tank overload.

Converting your existing appliance rather than buying a new toilet means your upgraded toilet has the same color as your old one-no worries about matching the color of the toilet to the sink and tub. And because you are not replacing the bowl the converted toilet has the same footprint as the old one, which means you don't have to be concerned with exposed flooring. If that's not enough to convince you of the benefits of using a dual flush conversion kit, consider this environmental benefit: you won't be adding another old toilet to the landfill.

Exactly how much water and money each household will save by changing to a dual flush toilet depends on local water rates and household water usage. With water prices expected to rise 27 percent over the next five years, your investment will pay for itself in no time. Plus, you'll be doing your part to keep drought from drying up our water supplies.

Toilet Cisterns - Simple Ways to Save Water and Money

The bathroom and toilet cistern make up over 40% of the total water usage for the average household. By carrying out a few simple tests you can find out whether your toilet cistern is using more water than necessary, and if it is take steps to reduce your water usage and save money.

1. Fix toilet cistern leaks

A leaking toilet cistern can waste large amounts of water - more than 12 liters an hour. This quickly adds up to a significant amount of water especially if not noticed or ignored. Households should check for leaks and if any are discovered be vigilant in fixing them, if necessary by a plumber.

A leaking toilet cistern will often make a constant humming sound as the toilet is forced to keep taking in more water to replace the water that escapes through the leak. This is not always the case though or may not be heard, allowing water to leak imperceptibly and unnoticed against the white porcelain of the toilet bowl. If you suspect that your toilet cistern is leaking, a DIY test you can do to check this is to remove the cistern lid and put in a few drops of food dye. If colored water appears in the bowl before you flush, then there is a leak. Alternatively, hold a piece of toilet paper against the back of the inside of the bowl. If it gets wet it would again indicate that you have a leak. In the event that a leak is discovered leaking toilet cistern repair should be carried out as soon as possible to avoid any further waste of water. If you are still unsure after carrying out this test, contact a plumbing service for more information.

2. Install a dual flush cistern

A dual flush toilet cistern is a unit that has two buttons - one for a full flush and a second for a half flush. Though the planning regulations in many countries now require that all new houses and apartments install dual flush units, most older houses and apartments will not have them. Older toilet cisterns are much less water efficient and will use about ten liters of water per flush. By comparison, more modern units will use between four and six liters for a full flush or three liters for a half flush.

It is easy to measure how much water your toilet cistern uses. Turn off the water supply using the tap found behind or under the bowl. If this tap cannot be located or is still leaking, turn off the main water supply to the house. Remove the lid (note that with some units it may be necessary to unscrew the flush button to do this) and mark the level of water using a waterproof marker or tape. Press the flush button and allow the toilet cistern to empty. As you have turned the water supply off it will not refill automatically. Refill the manually using a measuring jug or bottle, counting the number of liters required to fill the toilet cistern back to the marked line. Don't forget to turn the water supply back on when finished!

Repairing a Leaking Toilet

Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.

If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.

This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.

If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.

You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.

There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.

If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.

First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.

There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.

Happy Toilet Repairing.

Natural Gallstone Cure - How to Pass Gallstones Down the Toilet

Did you know that an effective natural gallstone cure will pass your stones down the toilet by tomorrow? Unfortunately, most people have no clue how to flush their gallbladder and gallstones!

This article is intended to educate you on a variety of options you have for a natural cure for gallstones.

Pass Gallstones

There are numerous things you can try for a natural gallstone cure. Here is a list of things you may wish to consider.

1. You may wish to start passing your gallstones with a colon cleanse. A colon cleanse helps eliminate toxins from the gastrointestinal system, particularly the colon. The easiest way to perform this cleanse is to use an enema. The best kits work with distilled water and lemon juice.

2. Drink plenty of water! You should be drinking about 100 ounces daily which is about the amount of one gallon. That is a lot but you will be flushing your organs!

3. Avoid fattening foods.

4. Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol. You may wish to stay away from your favorite animal based foods.

5. Eat bran cereal every morning to help with the flushing process.

6. You should also be eating plenty of vegetables daily.

7. Eat whole grains and foods that are high in dietary fiber.

8. Supplement vitamin C daily at 2500 mg to help convert your cholesterol stones to harmless bile.

9. Educate yourself on natural health and gallstones. Research has proven that natural remedies work for dissolving and passing gallstones. Continue to learn how your diet impacts your gallbladder. The more you know about treating this disease, the more likely you will be able to cure and prevent it.

How to Unplug Your Toilet

We've all had this experience. You really have to go but someone has just made your toilet nonfunctional. You've tried to plunging it until your hands and wrist started to ache but no amount of effort seems to get things flowing again. You've thought of calling a plumber but they're expensive at even the normal labor rate. So what can you do besides getting your body tired by continuing what you are doing?

Most people don't know how to plunge a toilet properly to begin with. They push and push until the wax seal breaks out and then they have another problem to contend with. Also, they've bought the wrong toilet plunger.
The most effective plunger to buy is the one that has a flap that folds out so the rubber end looks like a bell. Stay away from the one that looks like a saucer.
To properly plunge your toilet first make sure the flap on the plunger is extended out. Then place the end into the hole. Slowly push the plunger down into the hole until the air in the plunger is expelled. This creates a vacuum in the plunger. Make sure the outside rim of the plunger is fully seated over the hole on the bottom of the bowl. Then with a quick jerking motion pull the plunger so that the vacuum created lifts the water out of the hole and releases the obstruction. You may have to do this several times before you are successful.

After many attempts using this method without success I discovered another way.

Hot water! My bathtub is next to the toilet, so I filled a large pot with hot water and poured it into the bowl to soften the obstruction and within eight or nine potfuls I was successful. As soon as I saw that the water level was going down quicker I used the plunger once again and then tried to flush and it worked!

Next time this happens you should try these methods. You'll save your muscles and your pocketbook!

Toilet Repair

I don't know how many times I have walked down the plumbing section in home depot and some poor guy or girl is standing there trying to figure out how to repair their toilet. There are only a few things that can go wrong with your toilet. You get plug it, but that is for another article. It could be leaking. There are leaks from a number of places.

Leaks can come from:

The wax seal

The connection from the tank to the bowl

The connection from the supply tube

Leaking inside from the tank to the bowl

Leaking inside from flowing over the overflow tube

There are other toilet repair problems, but these are the most common.

The wax seal:

Often the toilet will either have water on the floor or through the floor to the ceiling below. To fix this you need to get a new wax ring and t-bolts. Turn off the supply water, flush it, sponge out as much water as you can from the tank and from the bowl, loosen the t-bolts off, loosen off the supply tube, lift the toilet off the floor, turning it upside down beside you, scrape off the old wax seal from it and from the floor, remove the old t-bolts, put in new t-bolts, and wax ring, set toilet down on top of the flange, press gently to the floor allowing the wax to create a seal, tighten t-bolts, go from one bolt to the other 5 ¼ turns each, DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, hook up the supply tube, turn on water, flush toilet, check for leaks.

That's it, normally I would charge about $150 for coming to someone's place to do this, so you just saved that money.

The connection from the tank to the bowl: In this case you might need a new spud washer and tank bolts. Or in some cases this happens and the tank or bowl has cracked over time. The first thing you need to do is find where the leak is coming from. Does it leak all the time or only when the toilet is flushed? If it leaks all the time the tank may be cracked. These are quite often hairline cracks, try and wipe dry the tank, then feel with your hands where the water is coming from. Sometimes it might be condensation as well, if this is the case you will need to line your tank with a Styrofoam insulation, you can buy this at your hardware store. If you find water is coming from a small crack you will need a new toilet, if it is newer you might be able to get the matching tank still.

To change the spud washer and tank bolts you will need to shut off the supply water, and flush the toilet. Now loosen the bolts under the tank that connect to the bowl, usually two sometimes three. Loosen the supply tube and remove. Remove the tank and remove the washer the is at the bottom of the tank, normally a rubber type washer with a spongy feeling. Replace with a new one and put the tank back on the bowl. Tighten the new tank bolts in place, again alternating to keep the tank even. Now too tight or you will crack the tank or the bowl. Put the supply tube back into place and turn on the water. Check for leaks, tighten slightly if there is some. You are done! That's another $150.00 you just saved yourself.

The connection from the supply tube:

This one is easy, simply turn off the water and remove the supply tube. Pick up a new one and put into place, turn on the water and check for leaks. Savings this time $120.00.

Leaking inside the toilet from the tank to the bowl:

This is a very common toilet repair, this is just the seal from inside the tank. Called the flapper. American Standard has their own kind of flapper, but the rest are the same. Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank and wait an hour or two. If there is food coloring in the bowl you know you have a leaky flapper. Buy a universal flapper from the hardware store. Turn off the water, and remove the old flapper. The rubber may be giving off a black film, this will stain your floor so make sure to wrap it up right away. To remove the flapper, take the chain off the lever, and remove the flapper from the two hooks at the bottom of the overflow tube. These hooks are rubber and attached to the flapper. Now install the new one, and turn on the water. Flush the toilet. If the toilet does not flush well you will need to adjust the chain length from the lever to the flapper. Then flush again and you are done! Savings $120.00

Leaking inside the toilet by flowing over the overflow tube:

The second most common toilet repair. If the water is flowing over the overflow tube, or if it is running from the fill valve tube to the overflow tube you need a new fill valve. Fill valves come in two styles, one with the big float ball and arm, the other with the float on the valve itself. Both are interchangeable with each other. Buy a new fill valve. Turn off the water, and disconnect the supply tube. Flush it and sponge out the water in the tank. Loosen the nut under the fill valve on the outside of the tank. Remove the old fill valve. When installing the new one check the height of the fill valve. If you bought the type with the float on the valve you can raise this by twisting the valve. Don't go too high or you will have to start over. Now put the valve into the hole at the bottom of the tank, tighten on the nut on the outside of the tank. Put on the supply tube, and turn on the water. Check for leaks, if need be tight the nut a bit more, being careful not to over tighten. Take the tube that comes with the new valve and connect from the valve to the overflow tube with the connector in the package. This allows the bowl to fill after you flush so that sewer gases do not come up out of the sewer. Savings $130.00

These are the most common toilet repair jobs, there are others just not as common.

Preventing Toilet Clogs

The sight of water rising instead of falling in the basin of a toilet shortly after flushing strikes fear in the hearts of many people. This sad sight means that the toilet sewage line has somehow become clogged. The first course of action in a situation like this is usually to grab the plunger and fish it around the bottom of the toilet looking for the toilet drain.

Then most people will give a few half-hearted plunges in a meek effort to dislodge any blockages while making sure not to splash dirty toilet water anywhere near there body. Some people actually go the the lengths of standing on bathtubs, sinks, or any other bathroom fixture in an effort to keep even the smallest drop of water from landing on their body.

In spite of their best efforts, most people will inevitably be splashed with the dirty water. This combined with the fact that the toilet is still clogged makes the experience all the more unpleasant. So how can you avoid this situation from happening to you in the future? Well aside from dietary changes, here are some simple ways to make sure your toilet remains clog-free.

1. Do not use excessive toilet paper. Many people use huge amounts of toilet paper when using the bathroom and this can lead to blockages forming in the sewage line. Limiting the amount of toilet paper thrown into the toilet basin will help prevent these types of blockages.

2. Do not flush paper towels. Paper towels are made to absorb and are not designed to break down in the same way that toilet paper is. Flushing paper towels in standard toilets is a great way to create a problem.

3. Use a drain cleaner periodically. Periodic use of an industrial strength drain cleaner can help to prevent clogs from forming and make sure your sewage line remains clear.

Follwing these few simple tips can help any home-owner prevent toilet clogs.

Dual Flush Toilet - How to Retrofit and Upgrade Your Old Toilet

I've always been an environmentally conscious individual and as such have always made some attempt to keep my household eco-friendly. I've used compost heaps and recycled my plastics, papers and aluminums, but it wasn't until recently that I decided to make an effort to try and save water.

I wasn't quite sure what method I wanted to try in order to cut my teeth on water conservation so I did some research online first. I found low-flow showerheads, HET toilets, tips on how to check various taps and toilets for leaks, and even suggestions on various heavy items to place in my toilet tank, so as to displace water and use less per flush. The showerheads looked appealing at first, but then I stumbled onto something called a dual flush toilet. These dual flush systems, where one lever flushes a full tank and one lever flushes half a tank, caught my imagination. They're unique, and in my opinion add a certain amount of style to your bathroom.

At first I thought I would have to replace my entire toilet. I consider myself fairly handy but I'm no plumber. I also had no intention of paying someone to tear my bathroom apart. That was when I stumbled across something called a dual flush toilet retrofit kit. These kits are quite cheap and I really had no problem installing one. I'll leave it up to you to find a kit you want to install, but the following are the steps I took to install my own dual flush kit, and if you would like to try it yourself, they will hopefully be quite easy to follow.

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet and drain tank. Use a sponge to remove the excess remaining water from the tank.

2. Disconnect the tank's inlet fitting from the water supply. Unscrew the two bolts that hold the tank down to the toilet.

3. Disconnect the flush handle from the tank. Lay the tank down on a towel and, using a channel-locking plier, unscrew the large flush valve holding nut.

4. Install the dual flush toilet kit valve - the tapered rubber gasket goes on the inside of the tank to prevent leakage. Tighten large nut until secure.

5. Install the two rubber gasket tie-down bolts and their lock nuts to the bottom of the tank. Bolt the tank down to the toilet using the second set of rubber gaskets and nuts. At this stage I recommend using completely new tank tie down bolts. They are inexpensive to purchase at any hardware store.

6. Assemble the new arms as per required length between the handles and the new flush valve. You may cut them with a hacksaw if necessary here.

7a) Insert the small and large handles into the handle-hole in the tank. Insert spacer if needed.

b) Hook long arm into overflow tube, and short arm into release pole.

c) Slide short and long arms into place on the handles and use clip to secure.

d) Connect the refill tube from the fill valve to the nipple on the long arm.

8. Open water supply to the tank. Fill slowly while checking for leaks. You may want to label the large and small handles as "full" and "half", but that is personal preference.

The way my dual flush kit works I flush my full six-liter tank with the large handle, and the small handle gives me a four-liter flush. I don't have any problem with the four-liter flush performance and I'm quite satisfied with the way everything turned out. You can imagine that people usually have something to say when they emerge from my bathroom, which always gives me a chuckle.