How to Install a Dual Flush Toilet

Concerned about the amount of water (and money) your family is literally flushing away every day? On average four out of every five toilet flushes are to get rid of liquid waste. Using a dual flush toilet, you determine the amount of water your toilet will use each time it flushes by selecting one of two flushing options. In general, dual flush toilets use either 1.6 gallons (6 liters) or 0.8 gallons (3 liters) per flush. It's easy to see how much water a dual flush toilet can save over the course of a year, since it cuts the amount of water you use literally in half four out of every five times it flushes. The bottom line is, your home has less impact on the environment and you end up saving money on your water bill.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eye protection
• New dual flush toilet
• Adjustable wrench (or set of wrenches) to loosen plumbing and existing toilet

Choose a Dual Flush Toilet

1. Know that selecting a dual flush toilet is virtually the same as choosing a regular toilet. Dual flush toilets are available in a wide range of colors and styles (as well as price ranges--from $100 to $1,000) to suit every taste. Dual flush toilets don’t look any different than a regular toilet, except for the flushing activation mechanism--which is often two stylized buttons you use to select the flushing volume.

2. Know that concern over low flush toilets not working has been well addressed by the plumbing fixture industry, and some models can literally flush a potato, so dual flush toilets perform as well as or better than older toilet designs

Install Your Dual Flush Toilet

3. Understand that installing a dual flush toilet requires both a new toilet bowl and tank. Newer bowls designed specifically to work with lower volumes of water are required for the toilet to work properly.

4. Understand that low flush and dual flush toilets are slightly different in overall size than regular model older toilets. This should be a consideration when replacing your toilet if the wall behind your existing toilet isn’t finished.

5. Use existing plumbing for your dual flush toilet. The new toilets are commonly available to work with a 12 inch rough in (over 90% of existing toilet installations have a 12 inch rough in) as well as with 10 inch and 14 inch rough ins.

6. Learn that installing a dual flush toilet is basically a matter of shutting off the water to your existing toilet, undoing the plumbing and bolts holding it to the floor, then reinstalling your new dual flush toilet. The whole job can easily be done in less than half a day. (See Related eHow, "How to Install a Toilet.")

Tips & Warnings

• Rough in is the distance from the bolts on the base of your toilet to the wall behind the toilet (usually about 12 inches). If your existing toilet has two sets of bolts, measure from the bolts closest to the wall to determine your rough in.
• The technology for dual and low flush toilets isn't new. Dual flush toilets have been available in Europe for years and they are mandated by law in Australia.
• While dual flush toilets are becoming increasingly common in North America, many stores likely won’t have a large selection. You may need to shop around a few suppliers or even check what is available on the Internet.
• Since you are going to be replacing both the toilet bowl and tank keep in mind that together they can weigh well over 100 pounds. Having someone to help you remove the old toilet and position the new dual flush toilet is a good idea.