I can’t emphasize enough how annoying it is to have to flush again and again simply to get the waste in your toilet to flush down, and that too, multiple times a day. Well, a high-flow toilet can help you with this issue. Even though it consumes less water, its efficient design makes flushing simpler even when using less water. The question now is, how do you convert a low-flow toilet to a high-flow toilet?
Logically speaking, you can’t turn a low-flow toilet into a high-flow toilet, but you can certainly boost its flushing power, which will certainly accomplish the same thing as it will be effective enough. Simply raise the toilet tank float a little bit to achieve this, and voila! You’re done.
Let’s peek into the article to get a clearer picture of the topic and wash away any questions you may have.
What Is a Low-Flow Toilet?
Comparatively speaking to a high-flow toilet or even a conventional toilet, a low-flow toilet is a type of flush toilet that uses less water to flush down the waste. There is no denying that they are high-efficiency toilets and assist in lowering water usage per flush.
The new toilets that will be sold must comply with US law’s requirement that they must be low-flow toilets. This indicates that an increasing number of individuals need to own low-flow toilets that use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. While a typical toilet flush would require between 3.5 and 7 gallons.
The low-flow toilets use less water to flush because of their specific cistern and siphon designs. The low-flow toilets not only help conserve water but also save money.
What Is a High-Flow Toilet?
Similar to a low-flow toilet, a high-flow toilet also uses less water to flush down the waste. However, it also makes use of advanced technologies, performs smoothly, and is unquestionably significantly more durable than a conventional toilet.
A high-flow toilet increases the speed of the flush water rather than using more water, which allows it to remove waste more quickly and effectively.
The fact that high-flow toilets consume even less water than low-flow toilets is interesting to note. They consume 20% less water than the average low-flow toilet, amounting to 1.28 gallons per flush.
In order to generate the extra air pressure, the high-flow toilet’s mechanism uses a secondary tank, which is housed inside the main tank.
Therefore, even with less water, the increased air pressure will help with efficient toilet flushing.
Difference Between a Low and High-Flow Toilet
The main difference between a low-flow and a high-flow toilet is that a low-flow toilet concentrates solely on flushing with the least amount of water, whereas a high-flow toilet not only focuses on flushing with the least amount of water but also does it in the most efficient and effective manner.
To put it another way, a high-flow toilet can be thought of as a low-flow toilet but with a powerful flush.
Methods for Increasing Toilet Flush Power
Here are a few methods for increasing your toilet’s flush power.
#1 Raise the Toilet Tank Float
The position of the toilet tank float should be taken into account when increasing the flush power. The goal of the toilet tank float is to ensure that the water level is maintained at a specified position and does not exceed the float.
When you elevate the toilet tank float in a low-flow toilet, there is more room for water, and the tank allows a few extra gallons to enter the bowl when you flush. It will concurrently boost the flushing force of the toilet.
Even a one-inch rise in the float will allow for the addition of two gallons.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Detach the tank’s lid
- Locate the screw that holds the fill valve and tank float together
- To raise the float, turn the screw in a counterclockwise direction
- Raise the float by an inch
Your tank’s water level will rise as a result.
#2 Check to See if There Are Any Leaks
Potential leaks are another cause of a low-flow toilet’s limited flushing force. It is evident that the toilet will perform poorly if water is dripping out of it.
As soon as you realize that your toilet is leaking, you should take action. To determine where the leak occurred and to work on it appropriately, make sure to inspect the entire toilet or contact a plumber to do so.
#3 Check for Clogs
Low water flow can be caused by clogs in the drains. Here are some steps you can take to address this issue.
Fill the toilet bowl with a gallon of water, then push the flush handle
There is certainly a blockage in the drain if the toilet doesn’t flush the water out completely. Here’s what you should do next:
To remove the clog, use a plunger or a snake. Repeat the procedure several times until the clog is removed
The clogs can also be removed using bleach. Here are the steps to do that:
- Remove any water that is still in the toilet bowl
- In the toilet bowl, pour a bucket of bleach
- Fill it with one gallon of water
- Flush the toilet
The clogs in your toilet will be effectively removed with this technique, and your toilet will also be thoroughly cleaned.
#4 Replace the Toilet
The final option you have is to switch to a high-flow toilet if you’ve previously tried the aforementioned methods and your toilet flush power is still not improving.
It will surely be expensive to replace your toilet, but it will be worthwhile because you will feel more at ease, and your toilet will flush effectively.
Which Toilet Is Better: Low Flow or High Flow?
Although each toilet is better in its own way, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. The major factor determining whether they are suitable or unsuitable for you is their obvious differences.
In some cases, it might be frustrating to have to flush a low-flow toilet twice to get the job done. In contrast, a high-flow toilet only requires one flush to complete the task.
While a high-flow toilet is helpful in terms of flushing, it will certainly be expensive, which may be a downside to most people.
Conclusion
You now have a firm grasp on both low-flow and high-flow toilets. As a result, you can easily choose which one to go with, and if you need to convert your low-flow toilet to a high-flow toilet, you already know how to. Good luck with that!
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.