5 Toilet Tips

Your toilet plays an important role in your everyday life yet it’s a part of our home’s plumbing that we don’t think about much. We want to help you get to know your toilet better and help keep it running smoothly so here are five toilet tips you need to know.

1. Toilets are going green! Recent innovations in water-saving toilets mean that you can upgrade to a toilet that allows you to choose how it flushes. Most come with the option of less water vs. more water depending on whether you’re flushing solid waste or only liquids.
2. There is a “do not flush” list and it includes everything except for bodily waste and toilet paper. YES, the list includes “biodegradable sanitary wipes,” which can lead to clogs. You shouldn’t be flushing facial tissues, baby wipes or even cotton balls, either.
3. Your plunger is your friend. To use a plunger effectively, first make sure the plunger is sealed at the bottom of the toilet. Then, pump the plunger up and down without breaking the seal. When the pressure has built up, pull up on the plunger to break the seal. The pressure with the water in the bowl should push all at once to push the clog through.
4. Are you welcoming people into your home this spring? Before you host party or overnight guests, be sure that your toilet is flushing properly without any fancy handle-jiggling or having to flush multiple times.
5. A few fun facts: First, have you ever heard of Thomas Crapper? It turns out he didn’t invent the toilet—but he was the first one to market it to the masses. Second, the oldest indoor flush toilet belonged to King Minos of Crete, who ruled from his porcelain throne more than 28 thousand years ago. Finally, over $100,000 US dollars was spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind; the answer: three out of four people have the flap in the front.

And now you know!

If you need help upgrading your toilet, removing a clog or simply need a toilet tune-up, contact Ben Franklin Plumbing AZ today at (602) 903-1762.