What Features Make A Toilet Suitable For Flushing Large Waste? Expert Opinion

Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford

When you look at a toilet’s appearance, it’s easy to assume that all lavatories are alike. However, a peek view beneath their seat covers and other specific features reveals substantial differences. Moreover, certain inventions make a toilet suitable for flushing large waste without leaving behind any debris. Unfortunately, many customers mostly focus on the comfort and aesthetics of the toilet but overlook the essential feature such as the flush effectiveness!

The United States Environment Protection Agency (U.S EPA) established new regulations for water consumption in toilets, which might affect flushing power. So, currently, most producers are manufacturing flush systems that consume as barely as 1.28 (GPF) gallons per flush. However, some toilets utilize hydrostatic pressure generated from water to flush and cleanse the bowel. Therefore, consuming less water does not always translate to less-than-stellar flushing effectiveness. 

Related: 24+ Different Types Of Toilets, Styles, Flush Systems (Buying Guide)

What Are the Essential Features That Makes A Toilet Suitable For Flushing Large Waste?

flushing water

In light of the EPA requirements, toilet manufacturers must design toilets with more efficient and effective flushing features. So, what are these unique features? Read on to get more informed.

1. Trapway Size

A trapway is where waste and water exit the toilet’s bowl and enter the drainage system. In most cases, it’s commonly referred to as the siphon outlet. It’s a curved, primary s-shaped hose located behind the toilet’s bowl and serves as a link between the toilet’s base and the sewer line. 

The s-shaped property of the trapway holds water to prevent the backflow of sewer gases into the toilet. Furthermore, it produces a siphonic impact which aids in flushing effectiveness. But what size is ideal?

Well, toilet trapway diameters or sizes range between 2″ – 2-3/8 inches. According to American National Standard Institute (ANSI), the smallest trapway diameter is 1 ½ inches. But when it comes to picking the best one that’s ideal for flushing large waste, we recommend that you check for the toilet with the largest trapway.   

Toilets with a larger trapway facilitate faster movement of waste and water from the toilet’s bowl. A larger trapway also increases the siphonic force that aids in the easier elimination of the bowl’s content.

2. Siphon Jet Flushing Technology

If you want a toilet suitable for flushing large waste, then pick the one that features a siphon jet flush mechanism. Standard gravity-fed designed toilets depend on the water pressure established in the toilet’s cistern to flow into the bowl and flush away waste.

The process takes place to draw waste and water towards the trapway. This establishes the siphonic effect that pulls the water and wastes out into the sewer line.

But for the siphon jet flush mechanism, things get more modern. It’s an ideal invention and a more efficient flushing system than Standard gravity-fed designed toilets. However, water still gets suspended from the cistern and flows toward the bowl. 

A portion of the water is redirected into a siphon-jetway and then pushed directly into the toilet’s trap to overwhelm the pressure produced at the trapway quickly. The action results in a stronger siphon force that fastens the draw of large waste and water into the sewer line. So, pick a toilet that features a siphon jet flushing mechanism. It increases the flushing effectiveness while consuming less water! 

3. Pressure-Assisted Flushing Technology

A pressure-assisted flushing technology employs an auxiliary tank within the toilet’s main cistern to generate extra air pressure that aids the flushing process as more water is maintained in the toilet bowl.

Gravity and pressure accumulated in the toilet’s tank combine to release a powerful flushing action. Pressure-assisted flushing toilets are high-performing toilets that will solve all your clogging nightmares. These toilets are much more powerful than the old gravity-flow toilet models and use less water. 

4. Dual-Flush 

The dual flush mechanism is another important feature to check if you want a toilet that effectively flushes large waste. Dual-flush toilets feature a broader trapway for easier waste elimination from the bowl. 

Moreover, toilets with dual-flushing technology allow you to choose between a heavy flush for solid waste and a light flush for liquid waste. 

5. Ceramic Glaze

Toilets still require water to push waste off the bowl through to the sewer pipes. But the invention of ceramic glaze cut the need and consumption of water for flushing into half. First, a ceramic glaze plays an important role in preventing dirt, pathogenic bacteria, and waste from sticking to the toilet’s bowl surface. 

What’s more, a ceramic glaze reduces friction and makes your toilet bowl feel smooth. Fortunately, waste is washed off from the bowl quickly when there’s less friction. So, keeping that in mind, most toilet producers realized that featuring a toilet with a ceramic glaze implies that water and waste will flow easily and quickly.

6. Flush Valve

Upon pressing your toilet’s handle downwards, the water accumulated inside the cistern is funneled to the bowl to initiate the flushing process. That rate and speed of flow of water from the cistern into the toilet’s bowl impacts the flushing effectiveness.

Traditional or old toilets feature flappers that aim to act as stoppers and shut the drainage pipe in your toilet’s tank. The rubber stoppers lift upwards upon pressing the flush handle to allow water to pass through the drainage pipe. 

However, if you’re looking for a more powerful and efficient flush, check out a toilet that features a flush valve rather than a flapper. Flush valves permit water to flow from the toilet’s cistern from an angle of 360 degrees. It results in a more powerful and quicker flush that pushes away the large waste from the bowl.

Final Verdict

Whenever you buy a toilet, you should get the right one that does its job correctly. Most homeowners complain that their toilets have become malfunctioning or don’t perform as expected. So, be keen! If you want a toilet ideal for flushing large waste efficiently, consider the above outlined essential features.