How much would you spend on a toilet?
$300?
$600?
Maybe $1,500 if you’re renovating the bathroom and have become emotionally invested in matte-black hinges and a soft-close seat?
How about US$12.11 million?
Last year, somebody actually did.
A fully functioning toilet called America, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sold at Sotheby’s in New York for more than US$12 million.
And before you assume somebody simply covered a normal toilet in gold paint, no.
This thing was made from more than 100 kilograms of solid 18-karat gold.
It is quite possibly the most extravagant way anybody has ever answered the question:
“Which toilet should I buy?”
For the rest of us here in North Lakes and Moreton Bay, there are probably a few more practical things worth considering.
First Things First: Does a $12 Million Toilet Flush Better?
Probably not $12 million better.
And that’s actually a useful lesson when you’re choosing a toilet for your own home.
There are toilets available at wildly different price points, but spending more doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting a toilet that will suit your bathroom better.
The important questions are much less glamorous:
- Will it fit your existing plumbing?
- Is it comfortable?
- Is it easy to clean?
- How much water does it use?
- Can replacement parts be sourced later?
- Is it approved for installation in Australia?
You can keep the 18-karat gold optional.
1. Make Sure the Toilet Actually Fits
This sounds obvious until you’ve already bought one.
Toilets aren’t universally interchangeable.
Your existing toilet has to connect to the sanitary drainage system, and the position of that connection matters.
One of the first things to establish is whether you have an S-trap or P-trap configuration.
An S-trap generally connects through the floor.
A P-trap generally connects through the wall.
Then there’s the set-out, which refers to the position of the waste connection relative to the finished wall.
Different toilet models accommodate different set-out ranges.
So that beautiful toilet you found on sale might be completely unsuitable for the plumbing already sitting behind your current one.
2. Check the Water Inlet Position
The waste isn’t the only connection you need to think about.
Your toilet also needs a water supply.
Older toilet installations often have the isolation valve and water connection clearly visible beside the toilet.
Modern back-to-wall suites are designed to sit much tighter against the wall, which gives them a cleaner appearance.
But that can mean the new toilet wants to occupy exactly the same space as your existing water connection.
If that happens, the plumbing may need to be altered before the toilet can be installed.
Suddenly the bargain toilet isn’t quite such a bargain.
3. Back-to-Wall Toilets Are Popular for a Reason
If you walk through a modern bathroom showroom, you’ll see plenty of back-to-wall toilets.
They sit neatly against the wall with much less exposed plumbing behind them.
That can make the bathroom:
- Look cleaner
- Feel more modern
- Be easier to clean around
- Have fewer awkward gaps collecting dust
For many homeowners, they’re a very good choice.
Just remember that the tighter design leaves less room to accommodate badly positioned existing plumbing.
4. Rimless Toilets Are Worth Considering
This is one modern toilet feature that actually has a practical benefit.
Traditional toilets have a rim around the inside of the bowl where flushing water is distributed.
Unfortunately, that enclosed rim can also create areas that aren’t particularly pleasant to clean.
Rimless toilets use a different flushing design that removes much of that enclosed area.
The big advantage isn’t that your toilet suddenly becomes exciting.
It’s simply easier to clean.
And when we’re talking about toilets, that’s a fairly compelling feature.
5. Soft-Close Seats Are One of Those Things You Don’t Miss Until They’re Gone
A soft-close toilet seat isn’t essential.
Human civilisation survived for quite a long time without them.
But once you’ve had one, going back to a toilet seat that slams shut like a car bonnet feels strangely primitive.
They’re quieter, particularly useful in homes with children, and remove the inevitable:
BANG.
followed by somebody elsewhere in the house wondering what just broke.
6. Look at the WELS Rating
One number that actually does matter when choosing a toilet is its water-efficiency rating.
Australia uses the WELS system to show how efficiently products use water.
Nearly all modern Australian toilets now use dual-flush systems.
A typical 6-litre/3-litre dual-flush toilet is generally rated at 3 stars, while a typical 4.5-litre/3-litre toilet receives a 4-star rating.
That might not sound like a massive difference.
But think about how many times a toilet gets flushed over its lifetime.
A family toilet could easily be flushed thousands of times every year.
Small differences in water consumption start adding up.
7. Check for WaterMark Certification
This is particularly important if you’ve found a suspiciously cheap toilet online.
Australia has a mandatory WaterMark certification scheme covering plumbing and drainage products, including toilets.
WaterMark certification means the product has been tested and certified as suitable for its intended plumbing application.
If a toilet requires WaterMark certification and doesn’t have it, a licensed plumber isn’t permitted to install it.
So before importing the world’s most technologically advanced toilet from a website you’ve never heard of, check that it can actually be legally installed in Australia.
Your $299 internet bargain isn’t much use if it ends up becoming an unusually shaped bathroom ornament.
8. Don’t Choose a Toilet Based Entirely on Looks
Bathroom design matters.
If you’ve spent thousands renovating a bathroom, nobody is going to blame you for wanting the toilet to suit the room.
But you do actually have to use the thing.
Consider:
- Pan height
- Seat shape
- Overall size
- Space around the toilet
- How easy it is to clean
- How accessible the controls are
A toilet can look fantastic in a showroom and still be uncomfortable in your bathroom.
There is no prize for owning the most architecturally impressive toilet if everyone in the house hates sitting on it.
9. Think About Replacement Parts
This one gets overlooked.
A toilet might remain in your bathroom for 10, 15 or 20 years.
During that time, components inside the cistern can eventually need servicing.
Choosing a recognised toilet brand with readily available replacement components can make future repairs much easier.
If a small plastic component fails five years from now, you don’t want to discover the only replacement part available is sitting in a warehouse on the other side of the world.
10. You Probably Don’t Need an In-Wall Cistern Unless You’re Renovating
In-wall cisterns and wall-hung toilets can look fantastic.
The cistern is concealed inside the wall and the bathroom gets a very clean, minimalist appearance.
But that’s a considerably different installation from replacing a standard toilet suite.
There are structural, plumbing and future-access considerations involved.
If you’re already renovating the bathroom, absolutely consider it.
If your existing toilet broke yesterday and you simply need a replacement, turning the job into a construction project may be unnecessary.
How Much Should You Actually Spend on a Toilet?
Thankfully, somewhere below US$12.11 million.
There isn’t one correct price.
A straightforward toilet that suits the existing plumbing may be perfectly adequate.
At higher price points you might get:
- Better styling
- Higher quality fittings
- Rimless designs
- Improved seats and hinges
- Better warranties
- More sophisticated flushing systems
But the smartest purchase isn’t necessarily the most expensive toilet.
It’s the toilet that:
fits the plumbing, fits the bathroom, works properly and isn’t going to become a headache later.
One Final Tip: Ask Your Plumber Before Buying It
If you’re planning to buy the toilet yourself, there’s nothing wrong with that.
But before placing the order, send your plumber the model details.
Better still, send them:
- A photo of the existing toilet
- A photo showing the water connection
- The toilet model you’re considering
- Any dimensions supplied by the manufacturer
It can be much easier to identify a compatibility problem before you’ve got a 50 kg cardboard box sitting in the garage.
Replacing a Toilet in North Lakes or Moreton Bay?
Whether you’re installing a basic replacement toilet or you’ve somehow acquired 100 kilograms of 18-karat gold and have some ambitious bathroom plans, RJT Plumbing & Gas can help.
We handle toilet repairs and replacements across North Lakes, Mango Hill, Griffin, Murrumba Downs, Kallangur, Narangba and surrounding Moreton Bay areas.
If you’re unsure which toilet will suit your existing plumbing, get in touch before you buy.
You don’t need a $12 million toilet.
You just need the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which toilet will fit my bathroom?
Before buying a toilet, check the existing waste configuration, set-out measurement, water inlet position and available space. Toilets are not universally interchangeable, so the new model needs to suit the plumbing already installed in the bathroom.
What is the difference between an S-trap and P-trap toilet?
An S-trap toilet generally connects to the drainage system through the floor, while a P-trap toilet generally connects horizontally through the wall. The toilet you choose needs to be compatible with the existing drainage arrangement.
What is toilet set-out?
Toilet set-out refers to the position of the waste connection relative to the finished wall. Different toilet models are designed to suit different set-out ranges, so the measurement should be checked before purchasing a replacement.
Are back-to-wall toilets better?
Back-to-wall toilets can create a cleaner appearance and are often easier to clean around because they conceal more of the plumbing. However, the existing waste and water connections still need to be positioned correctly for the toilet to fit.
What is a rimless toilet?
A rimless toilet uses a flushing design that removes much of the enclosed rim found around traditional toilet bowls. This can make the bowl easier to access and clean.
Should I check the WELS rating when buying a toilet?
Yes. The WELS rating shows how efficiently the toilet uses water. Modern dual-flush toilets can significantly reduce water use compared with older high-volume or single-flush toilets.
Does a toilet need WaterMark certification in Australia?
Plumbing products that fall within the WaterMark Certification Scheme must have the required certification before they can legally be installed. Homeowners should check that the toilet and associated plumbing products are suitable for installation in Australia.
Can I buy my own toilet and have a plumber install it?
Yes. Homeowners can purchase their own toilet, but it is a good idea to confirm the model with a plumber before ordering. This can help avoid problems with the waste position, set-out, water inlet or overall dimensions.
Can I replace my own toilet in Queensland?
Replacing a toilet involves regulated plumbing and drainage connections. In Queensland, this work should be completed by an appropriately licensed plumber.
Do I need to replace a toilet if the cistern keeps running?
Not necessarily. Running toilets can often be repaired by replacing or servicing components inside the cistern. Complete replacement may make more sense if the toilet is old, damaged, inefficient or difficult to source parts for.
