Solutions: Denture tablets help keep toilet bowl clean

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/10/2006 (7082 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FORTY per cent of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet.

1. Clean a toilet by dropping one or two denture tablets into the bowl overnight. In the morning brush as usual.

Tip: To prevent bacteria buildup, flush one cup of baking soda into the toilet every week.

2. A badly stained toilet can be scrubbed clean using a pumice stone. Pumice stones are great at removing toilet rust and grey residue, scrub in conjunction with borax, dish soap, shampoo, etc.

3. When shopping for a new toilet, there is little correlation between price and performance. Paying more for a toilet will not necessarily guarantee better flush performance.

4. Before purchasing a new toilet, consider a dual-flush system. This type of toilet saves an average of 26 per more than single flush six-litre units.

5. Low-flush toilets use as little as one pint of water per flush. Regular flush toilets use anywhere from 6L to 13L per flush. Low-consumption toilets replace high water use toilets with 1.6 gallon per flush models. The disadvantage of low-flush toilets: they may not be powerful enough to remove all waste every time and plug up easier than regular units.

6. There are two basic types of flushing systems, pressure and gravity. With the pressure-assisted flush, all waste is removed quickly in four seconds. This system is slightly louder, allows no condensation or sweating on outer tank, typically more effective than gravity fed. Gravity-fed flush uses the force of gravity and siphon “pull” through action to empty bowl. It has a smaller evacuation trap that forms a vacuum to pull water down.

7. To check for a leaky flush valve, turn off the water and mark the water level using a permanent marker. Every once in a while check to make sure the water is hitting the mark. If not, you likely have a leak. Another way to check if you have a leak is to drop blue food colouring into the tank. If the water in the toilet becomes blue without being flushed, you have a leak.

8. Before purchasing a toilet, measure the dimensions of the bathroom and the distance from the floor flange boltholes to the rear wall. Older homes tend to have smaller bathrooms and are often sized for a 10-inch rough-in (new homes normally have a 12-inch rough-in).

9. To caulk or not to caulk? If this were a perfect world there would be no need to caulk around toilets. However, caulking is a good way to keep fluid from sneaking under the toilet where it can stagnate, reach the sub floor and cause problems.

10. Ever heard the term flange? A flange is the bracket that porcelain toilets mount to. Over a period of time, the metal ring can rust through. An alternate option is to choose stainless steel or brass flanges and screws. Make sure that the bolts you purchase are long enough to penetrate the sub floor.

Tip: Broken flanges can be purchased at all major hardware stores.

11. Fixing a slow flushing toilet may be a job best left to a professional. Anyone using muriatic acid to rectify a slow leaking toilet should use extreme caution, wear gloves and safety goggles, open all windows and turn on exhaust fan. Use muriatic acid according to directions (always pour acid into water, never add water into acid).

12. When choosing a toilet seat, look for style, colour and shape. Modern toilet seats include a heat option that plugs in behind the toilet and can be turned off and on. Another new feature, toilet seats with nozzles that spray water, thereby cleaning with little effort.

13. A recent study tested toilet paper brands for softness and dissolvability; Charmin Ultra was rated as the winner. However, in terms of the best buy, Scott won due to its strength, price and softness.

14. There are two basic plunger styles: flat or designed to fit. Flat is the best choice for the sink, bathtub and shower. On the other hand, a toilet requires a plunger that has a flange designed to fit into the bottom hole. Nowadays, plungers need not be an eyesore perched beside the porcelain throne. Plungers are available with high gloss or metallic handles. Plunger cases may be purchased and painted to match the bathroom or stamped with patterns or funny sayings.

Tip: Toilet brush or plunger handles can double as toilet paper holders.

15. When water forms on the outside of a toilet tank it is likely due to condensation. To prevent condensation from forming, insulate the inside of the tank or install an anti-sweat valve which will pipe only enough warm water into the toilet to prevent condensation. Or shut off the water and drain. Apply a thick coat of car wax to the tank interior.

Solutions is compiled from various sources, including: wantasub.com, thisoldhouse.com, greenhomeguide.com, answers.com, magazines.ivillage.com, icgov.org, terrylove.com, bathroomanswers.com, friendlyplumber.com, wikihow.com. Similar information may be found elsewhere.

Reena Nerbas is the author of Household Solutions & Substitutions. She can be heard biweekly on the CBC radio show Up To Speed.

householdsolutions@mts.net