If you are on the hunt for a gravity-flush toilet then you have come to the right place!
Here we will go over what to look for when choosing the right gravity flush toilet for you, what to expect if you decide to go with one, as well as the Pros & Cons and what to look for before making a purchase.
Gravity flush toilets have remained popular over the years thanks to their tried and true performance and overall reliability that they provide.
These toilets are so popular, in fact, that you can find them almost anywhere—from new homes or condos to your local business and apartment buildings for rent.
Years ago, these toilets were not what they have become today.
Their design has been improved over time and manufacturers have made sure to continually put out toilets that have allowed them to remain the most popular type of toilet to choose from—even when compared to the highly popular pressure-assisted toilets that many people love to incorporate into their homes today.
Regardless of what type of toilet you are used to—or even if you already have a gravity-feed toilet in your home—you will find that you will have a large selection to choose from so it is important to know as much as possible before choosing a new one to install in your home.
Not only are gravity flush toilets simple to use and easy to set up, but they are typically more affordable when compared to other toilet types you will have to choose from.
A Guide to Gravity Fed Toilets
When buying any toilet, it is important to know as much as possible about what you are getting into.
This is especially important for those of you looking for a toilet that offers specific features as well as for those who are unsure of which toilet you need or want in your home or business.
Regardless of what you are looking for, it is unlikely that you have ever seen a gravity flush toilet.
These toilets are among the most popular and can be found almost anywhere—they are typically the go-to in most homes, apartments, and business unless the owner or builder choose otherwise.
Just because they are popular doesn’t mean they are right for you or that you know absolutely everything you need to know about them, which is why we have put together this guide to help you make your final decision and ensure that you get the best toilet for your home.
If you want to learn more continue reading below to learn everything you need to know about gravity-feed toilets. We hope it helps!
Brands
Brands are important to look out for, especially if you have a favorite.
Some brands come much more highly recommended and are much more well-known than others—but this doesn’t always mean that they are better.
Here we will briefly go over some of the best brands you will have to consider when looking for a gravity flush toilet for your space.
Toto
When searching for toilets in general, Toto is a brand that you will definitely come across.
Not are they one of the most popular and highly recommended brands out there, but they are also among the most innovative and unique brands as well.
They offer a variety of home appliances and do not focus solely on toilets.
Toto is a highly reputable brand that produces reliable, durable, and easy-to-use products that users have come to love and trust.
Toto also offers a large number of options when it comes to gravity feed—so you will have quite a selection to choose from.
Not only do they have a large list of gravity flush toilets to choose from, but the Toto brand has made sure to cover all of its basis.
They have literally made a toilet for almost everyone—no matter what style, features, or overall look you are trying to go for in your home or business bathroom.
Dometic
The Dometic brand is one that is geared towards outdoor enthusiasts and people with RVs and boats as well as for truck drivers and those of you who like to camp and be on the go.
Their mission is “to make mobile living easy” and ensure that you have a product that is easy to use and that works for you.
While Dometic doesn’t have as wide a selection as brands like Toto and Kohler, the selections they do have available are among the best.
Their products are great for RV’s and mobile uses—but that doesn’t take away from their effectiveness and efficiency.
Dometic toilets are easy to install, simple to use, and make cleaning a lot easier for most users.
Their toilets are typically a lot more eco-friendly—many do require no electricity, and minimal connection hardware, and come with water conservation features that help you reduce your water waste every time you flush.
Kohler
Now Kohler is a brand we know you will probably recognize. Not only is the brand highly recommended and extremely popular, but they are also really durable and designed to last you the long haul.
The brand was conceived over 150 years ago by a family and Wisconsin, and during that time Kohler has really made a name for itself.
Not only do they offer a wide selection of some of the best toilets to choose from, but they also offer other products that you can purchase.
They focus on quality and durability, which is why they are among one of the most competitive brands when it comes to gravity-feed toilets.
If you want a toilet you can rely on for years to come, then a Kohler toilet is a great one to consider—and they offer lots of designs and style options to choose from as well, so you can find something that goes perfectly in your bathroom space.
What you can expect to spend
As we mentioned before, gravity flush toilets are among the most popular types of toilets out there already.
Not only are there a lot of selections to choose from when it comes to gravity flush toilets, but they are also some of the most affordable types of toilets as well.
When compared to other types of toilets out there, you will find that gravity-feed toilets come at a much lower cost—which is why so many people go for this type of toilet.
Whether you are looking to buy several toilets for your home, or for your business, you will find that these are the way to go when you are purchasing in bulk.
So, if you want reliable toilets without breaking the bank, then this is the way to go.
Even the most expensive gravity-feed toilets are much lower in price when compared to their counterparts.
The best part, however, is that although they are much lower in cost, they don’t require you to sacrifice much.
Not only do they come in several design options, but many come with additional features—and, of course, there are also water-conserving models out there as well.
Pros and Cons of Gravity Feed Toilets
Like everything in life, there is also a good and a bad to these types of toilets.
While gravity flush toilets have undergone lots of significant improvements over the past few years, it is important to take a look at whether or not their recent innovation will be a good fit for your needs.
While gravity-feed toilets nowadays over lots of innovative features many users will love, it is important to be aware of absolutely everything.
So, take a look below to learn all the good and the bad that come with using a gravity-feed toilet.
PROS
As we already discussed earlier the best part about the gravity feed toilet is their low prices.
Not only are they innovative, modern, and simple to use, but they also come at the lowest prices available—whether you purchase them in bulk for your home or business, or as a single unit.
Whether you are doing a minor upgrade or a total bathroom renovation, a gravity-feed toilet is a great one to consider.
Another benefit that comes with these toilets is their proven technology—I mean they have everything you could need or want from a toilet, and on top of that they are also really durable and reliable.
Gravity-feed toilets use a technology that has literally been around for decades, they have just expounded on it and improved it over the years.
Since its reliable technology, you know you can trust them and—since they are the most commonly used type of toilet—they are also relatively simple and affordable to fix when you have a problem.
With gravity-feed toilets, you also have tons of designs and styles to choose from.
Not only do these types of toilets come in lots of models to choose from, but they actually offer the most options to choose from when compared to other types of toilets.
If you want a specific look you want to have an issue finding the perfect design with one of these—and since they are available in traditional and modern designs, you will literally have endless selections available.
If you are looking for something really unique, then this is a great way to go.
Lastly, the best part of gravity-feed toilets is that they can always be improved upon.
If you have some expertise when it comes to modifying home appliances, you will find that gravity-feed toilets are probably the easiest to modify if you really want to.
CONS
One of the biggest cons to gravity-feed toilets is their water consumption.
While they have some more water-conserving options, these toilets will use up a lot more water when compared to other types of toilets.
If you already have a high water bill, or if you want something that will help you reduce your costs over time, then this is not the way to go.
If you have low water pressure in your home then this won’t be the best option for you since it may end up requiring multiple flushes, thus using up even more water.
If you think you may have this issue, make sure to figure out your average flush per month and take into consideration the toilet’s gallons per flush.
Another major con for these types of toilets is their overall size.
Typically, they are on the larger side, and not a great option for smaller bathrooms—and if you are worried about the overall “look” of your bathroom this is not only a comfort issue but also décor issue.
While there are smaller models to choose from, in the end, they don’t compare to the compact size other toilet types offer.
Lastly, make sure to also consider how many users will be using the toilet.
If you have a larger family and only one or two bathrooms you may want to consider a pressure-assisted toilet instead, since gravity-flush toilets consume a lot more water you will definitely want to try and cut costs where you can.
The best features Gravity Feed Toilets have to offer
While we have covered some of the positives that gravity feed toilets above, those are certainly not the best features they offer.
Depending on the model you decide to go with, you will find that some of these toilets stand out more than others—which is why it is important to make a list of everything you want in a toilet, this way you know you are purchasing one that will fit your needs perfectly.
Insulated Tanks
Gravity-feed toilets with insulated tanks are able to reduce and stop condensation.
This is important because it prevents water from leaking and minimizes the occurrence of mold or mildew—even preventing from it even developing in and around areas where water travels within your toilet.
Double Cyclone Technology
If you choose a model that utilizes double cyclone technology, then you are choosing a more powerful gravity flush toilet.
This technology uses the effectiveness of the gravity method in combination with an extra burst of water for a more efficient flush.
Not only does this help get everything clean and down the toilet, but it also helps you conserve water and even reduce your water bill.
Quiet Flush
Quiet flush is a great feature if you want something that will make less noise when flushed, without sacrificing the flushing power of the toilet.
This is specifically useful for families with younger children as well as for smaller homes and apartments.
Flapperless Systems
If you want the quietest toilet you can get, then you will love the flapper less system, especially in combination with the quiet flush features.
This feature is designed to help reduce the refill noise your toilet makes after it is flushed, thus making it a good option for larger families, smaller homes, or anyone who is a light sleeper and doesn’t want this sound waking them up in the middle of the night.
Using this system won’t take away from the overall effectiveness and efficiency of your toilet so while you get a quieter system, you also get something that works just as great.
Nozzles
Some of the newer gravity flush toilets have nozzles in place of rim holes.
These are better because they deliver a better flush and if you set it up and install it correctly then it makes your toilet flush effectively and efficiently—ensuring your toilet stays clean and clear.
Bolt installation
If you want a toilet that is quick and easy to install, then you will want one that comes with a bolt installation option.
Many brands offer this feature and if you are worried about installing your toilet incorrectly, have never done it before, or if you just want to save time then you will want a gravity-feed toilet with a bolt installation option.
It allows you to get a perfectly balanced and installed toilet that is set up and ready to go in no time.
Left-handed levers
While this is a rare find, it is an option if it is something that you really want.
Not only is this feature useful, but it is also a simple design that left-handers everywhere will definitely appreciate.
Chrome Tips and Custom Accents
As we mentioned earlier, these toilets are available in the widest selection of designs, styles, and color options to choose from.
Not only can these additions add a touch of class to your toilets—with premium models have chrome-tipped levers that make them look classy and sleek.
Repairing your Gravity Feed toilet
As you have heard us mention throughout the buying guide, gravity-feed toilets are easier to fix in comparison to other toilets and are also simpler and more cost-effective to fix when problems arrive.
To understand how to repair a gravity toilet, however, you must first understand how they work.
Gravity feed toilets require a simple lever or push button to flush waste into the waste pipe.
Once this is done, the waste is sent to your septic tank—but none of this can be done without the floater in the tank.
The floater prevents the water from overflowing as water goes into your toilet bowl to flush everything down.
Since problems will inevitably arise at some point or another, it is important to be aware of what you need to do.
And, minor repairs are relatively easy and affordable to do on your own.
The most common issues that people experience are overflowing and flushing issues, then you will want to check your toilet’s dill and flush valves for inconsistencies.
When doing this you will need to carefully remove the tank’s lid and place it on a steady surface that is out of your way.
Make sure to turn off the toilet’s water supply and proceed to take a look at the valves.
If any need to be replaced, these should be hard to find since most of the gravity feed’s toilet parts are pretty affordable and easy to find anyway.
Cleaning a Gravity Feed Toilet
Like most toilets, gravity-feed toilets require weekly cleaning if you want to keep them looking clean and running optimally.
While skipping cleanings won’t mess up your toilet, it can become unsightly if you don’t keep up with it.
Bowl cleaners are the fastest, easiest, and most common way to clean your toilet—just squirt, scrub, and you are done.
Gravity-feed toilets also benefit a lot from drop-in tablets.
These tablets are set in the tank and continuously clean your toilets –but be careful because these tablets are strong, should not be touched, and will turn your toilet water blue.
If you want an alternative to drop-in tablets, you will want to take a look at gel stamps.
Gel stamps are placed inside the toilet bowl and will clean your toilet bowl with each flush. As it gets used up, your stamp gets smaller and smaller, which is how you will know when it will need to be replaced.
Summary
While gravity flush toilets are technically “old school,” they are still among the most popular toilets to choose from.
Not only are they the most widely used toilet in businesses, homes, and apartments but they are also the most affordable types of toilets out there.
A gravity feed toilet is not only dependable and reliable, but its low maintenance makes it super popular among users.
They are also available in the most color and design options to choose from—so, if you are looking for something really unique and perfect for your space then you will definitely find a gravity feed toilet that will fit your needs.
Although these toilets typically use up more water than pressure-assisted toilets, they are still a great option for those of you buying in bulk.
However, it is important to note that if you have a low-pressure water supply then you may want to steer clear of these, especially if you need more than one, or if you have a large family.
In the end, gravity-feed flush toilets are really popular, and it is obvious why that is.
While they have been around the longest, their design and technology have also evolved with them—making them some of the best toilets to consider for your home or RV.
