Toilet advice

[ChrisR]

I've looked into a lot of bogs.
I've decided it isn't the flush volume or the height which is critical (though they do help), but the shape and volume of the bit that holds the water - and things. Very often the waterways down there are just too big, so the flush just makes a big pond of water go gently round and round. Immediately post the change to 6litres some makes were hopeless, but they've improved, by making the trap opening, front side, narrower. That means the water has to go down faster, and it carries all with it.
Some of the worst ones I know of now are cheap Portugese imports, and expensive Villeroy and Boch.

 

[shaggy]

I've had my head down a few myself. I'll agree it's a combination of factors but now dual flush is back it means that a single flush is only 3L which isn't a lot of water. I'm sure that the high level 3 gallon cisterns in the outside toilet block at school would shift anything though. Have you got any pics of the shapes that you recommend?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I've read it again PVMan and you're right. I was looking at where he said 'flap valves versus syphons' and thought he meant outlet valve cisterns versus syphonic cisterns so I was talking about cisterns. Back to school for me then; 'read the question properly'

Partly my fault, as I talked about siphons in successive sentences without making it 100% clear - I've now edited it for the benefit of any latecomers.

Looks like the balance of opinion is against close-coupled, so what with that and all that I read about flap-valves, it looks like low-level and a traditional siphon for me. Just need to make sure I get a big cistern.

 

[shaggy]

It did lead to the discussion about cistern capacity though which was useful info. Anyway, I've been to wickes and looked at cisterns. They have 3 cisterns in stock; the close-coupled, low level porcelain and cheapo low-level plastic which is best avoided (I've fitted a few in renovations but wouldn't want one myself) All they have done with the close-coupled and low level porcelain, to comply with the 6L reg, is mark the level on the inside of the cistern as 6L and it's only just over half-way up from bottom so you can get a lot more water in than that. The close coupled one would be better for maximum water volume because it has bottom entry for fill and overflow stand-pipe. The syphon valve is also adjustable for 6L, 7L or 9L; it's just a matter of fitting a plug in a hole in the side of the valve.
What this means is that you can get a universal syphon valve and set it to give a 9L flush but you can also fill the cistern above the 6L level mark as well.
I personally favour the close-coupled one. Mine works ok and they look neater.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Thanks for your selfless sacrifice in walking through the doors of a s**d

OOI I've measured my existing low-level cistern by filling it from a jug, and it's 9-and-a-bit l. Pound to a cent it's 2 imperial gallons.