The compact toilet is a one-piece structure in which the flush cistern is installed on the shelf of the toilet seat and connected to it.
The water supply to such plumbing items is carried out from the bottom and side of the tank.
Peculiarities
Compact toilets have appeared on the plumbing market relatively recently. Today they are one of the most popular and in demand because they do not take up much space, which means that they can be safely installed even in very small rooms.
These modern and convenient models are not only floor-mounted, but also suspended. The latter look much more interesting, which is why many consumers choose them. Of course, the cost of hanging products is not always affordable, but their design and reliability justify the price.
The design of this type of toilet contains the following elements:
- tank,
- inlet and drain fittings,
- drain button and its mechanism;
- a bowl, and with it a pipe that connects to the sewer,
- connecting elements.
Buyers can choose not only a floor-standing or wall-hung toilet, but also a corner or regular toilet. These models may have different structures, but the same structure.
The name of such toilets speaks for itself: they are distinguished by their modest dimensions. This characteristic is especially relevant in our time, when the majority of city residents cannot boast of sufficiently spacious housing.
Choosing a compact toilet
compact toilet in the toilet room
The first thing you should pay attention to before choosing such a toilet is the size of the compact toilet . The height of the product is on average 400 mm, the overall structure with the tank takes about 800 mm.
It’s easy to check the appropriate height; you need to sit down on the toilet, while your legs should not hang down, but rest lightly on the floor, and the muscles of the pelvis and abdomen should be as relaxed as possible, so you can understand that this design is suitable for the height.
The second important aspect is the material, as a rule, all compact toilets are made of faience or porcelain, the service life of sanitaryware is on average 35 years, this is a good material, but not the best, since it has a porous structure, porcelain in this case has superiority and a longer service life (about 45 years old).
And the third point is the color of the product and the type (corner or regular), because the plumbing fixtures should be in harmony with your restroom and you like the design.
Many people think that the dimensions of a compact toilet will differ from the dimensions of the old plumbing object, which was “evicted” from the bathroom after renovation. This is wrong.
The dimensions of the compact toilet are the same as the usual ones: 33-38 cm wide, 60-75 cm long, up to 80 cm high.
Toilet-compact-Alcor dimensions with oblique outlet
These parameters are not determined by the design invention or the own wishes of the designers in production. The size of the toilet depends directly on the physiological characteristics of a person. Height is the main indicator of convenience. Your legs should not dangle in the air and your knees should not bend too much when sitting. The most optimal height is 80 cm. When purchasing, experts advise focusing on the tallest member of the family.
Cons: at the junction of the tank and the bowl, you will have to periodically change gaskets and other wearing parts; It is quite difficult to care for such a structure.
Toilet device
In the design of a compact comfort toilet, several mandatory elements can be distinguished:
- bowl with seat;
- high chair;
- cistern;
- drain fittings;
- fastenings
Compact is a shortened version of compact. This name is due to the fact that here the tank is installed directly behind the bowl on a special shelf.
Compact Comfort toilet: technical specifications
This version of the product has the following characteristics:
- width 410 mm;
- length up to 750 mm.
At the same time, there are models measuring 365 by 600 mm. First of all, they are preferable for those rooms that do not have a large area. The bowl of toilet bowls of this design can reach a height of 400 mm and higher, and the tank – up to 760 mm.
Products in the compact version are offered only in floor-standing versions. A special feature of suspended structures is the absence of a shelf on which the tank could be placed. The shelf and the method of installing the tank on the bowl are usually considered to be characteristics that distinguish this type of plumbing fixture.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let us note right away that the only disadvantage of compacts is that the tank is mounted on 2 bolts and, if handled carelessly, can easily break out of the shelf or crack. But this is a controversial statement; with a normal attitude towards technology and plumbing fixtures, they will last for decades.
Among the advantages, we highlight several points:
- modern toilets will delight buyers with the price-quality ratio;
- even a person without experience will be able to install the device, following the step-by-step instructions and taking care of the fragile product;
- with the help of a compact device it is possible to save useful space;
Important! Economy class appliances will not be able to decorate the toilet; the water and sewerage pipes remain visible. But the problem can be solved by covering the space with fiberboard or plastic panels.
Bowl format from inside
Much attention should be paid to such a parameter as the internal format of the compact toilet. It may provide several options:
- funnel-shaped;
- with shelf;
- half-shelf;
- slope towards the rear wall.
The toilet must contain water coming from the water castle.
A special feature of funnel-shaped compact toilets is that the contents immediately fall into the water. Such solutions make the flushing procedure more convenient and simplify keeping the product clean. However, when using it, splashes occur, which can cause discomfort if it gets on the skin.
The version of the toilet with a shelf differs in that the contents do not immediately end up in the sewer. A mandatory requirement for ensuring high-quality flushing is the use of a significant amount of water. In some cases, you will also need to use a toilet brush. Thanks to the presence of a shelf, a person is protected from splashes.
Models with a shelf are preferable for those consumers who have pets who know how to use the toilet. Their design is different in that it can ensure their safety. A half-shelf can also provide protection from splashes, but it is distinguished by the presence of a certain bevel, which simplifies the flushing procedure.
A bowl with a shelf is one of the outdated toilet options; moreover, they are not very convenient to use, since in most cases it is not possible to achieve high-quality flushing of waste. For this reason, a person is forced to spend time removing them from the shelf of the bowl. For most, such a sight causes great hostility. But real difficulties can arise if the water is turned off or the stream that flushes away the waste is weakened.
If the choice is on a toilet with a shelf or half-shelf inside the bowl, then it is by no means necessary that the tank be equipped with a two-button flush fitting. One large flush button is enough for use.
The option with a shelf is different in that it needs to be given a lot of attention in terms of keeping it clean.
They require frequent maintenance, otherwise the inner surface may become covered with plaque.
How to choose the right product
Floor design
Choosing a compact toilet for a small toilet is not difficult; in the process of searching for the ideal model, it is important to pay attention to several criteria:
- Height. Buyers try to sit on the plumbing fixture they like and find the optimal seat height.
- When choosing a method for supplying water to the tank, the owners are guided by the existing arrangement of pipes in the toilet. It is convenient to purchase a universal toilet with several provided methods for connecting water and plugs for unused holes.
- Experts advise buying a product with a cast shelf; this will save the owners from many problems (installation of a large number of fasteners, complex installation).
When choosing the ideal toilet, you should take into account its quality: check the drainage system, connection threads, and carefully inspect the coating for defects.
Sewer drain formats
There are three options for this parameter:
- with an oblique drain,
- with vertical drain;
- with horizontal drain.
This characteristic should be given special attention, since this will further affect the installation and installation of sewerage in the house.
The most popular are the oblique or horizontal drain . They differ in that the end of the sewer pipe from the wall behind the toilet is connected to the outlet, using corrugation as a connecting element.
Vertical drain
When using a vertical drain, the pipe is located directly in the floor. It should be borne in mind that this installation option involves the most difficulties, so it is advisable to entrust the installation of a toilet with a vertical flush to a qualified plumber.
Installation
Preparing the installation site for the device. At this stage it is important to prepare a safe and level area, without uneven areas or mortar residues. Toilet bowls can be installed on wooden bases (taffeta). To do this, you need to prepare a piece of board 50 mm thick and secure it in the prepared groove.
The toilet is inserted into the semi-outlet and 2 points of attachment of the device are marked. After drilling the holes, insert dowels into them.
A rubber seal is inserted into the socket of the sewer pipe, the toilet is installed and it is tightly and neatly joined to the comb.
Important! If the tank is attached to the toilet shelf, you will need to treat the edges with silicone sealant to ensure a tight connection of the rubber coupling. All rubber parts of the tank and washers on the mounting bolts are treated in the same way.
There should be rubber washers on the mounting screws. By evenly tightening the screws, avoiding distortions, secure the toilet to the floor. There is no need to tighten the screws too much. The main thing is that the device does not swing; the rubber will still be compressed and you will need to re-tighten the fastenings.
According to the instructions, a water release system and a supply system with a float chamber are assembled, which prevents water overflow. Do not overtighten the plastic nuts; it is better to tighten the parts during a test run, achieving a tight connection, than to get a burst tank.
Fix the tank to the toilet shelf with 2 bolts, connect it to the water supply system and perform a test run of water. If a leak occurs, the connection is tightened until moisture stops escaping.
Corner toilet Compact
You can also find models on sale that can be installed in a corner pattern. Most often it involves an oblique drain. The design of such a toilet has a special corner tank . At the same time, the fittings located in it may have a slightly different design than the standard one. By choosing the diagonal installation option, the owner has the opportunity to fit into a space that is a little spacious.
A good option would be to install a toilet in a diagonal pattern in combination with corner shelves and a corner miniature sink. In addition to the high price of corner options, they are applicable only in those rooms that have a small area , if, with a direct installation option, the legs rest against the bathroom door.
Color selection
Most of us associate such a device as a toilet with a white product. In principle, all plumbing products are made from earthenware in this option. But recently new colors have become available, which provides a good opportunity to create an original design in the restroom. You should think about purchasing a colored toilet when your apartment is designed in a modern style, with bright color accents. If you have chosen a different design option for your home, then it is advisable to prefer the traditional version of the toilet, made in white.
At the same time, you should refuse to purchase black and dark options , since if they get dirty, you simply won’t notice them. For plumbing, this will be a serious disadvantage, since it will be very difficult to keep it clean.
Popular models
Model “JIKA Lyra 8.2423.4”
Analysis of customer interest helped to identify the 5 most popular compact toilets from different manufacturers. Each model has its own characteristics that make it an indispensable element of the bathroom. Rating of compact toilets in different price categories:
- JIKA Lyra 8.2423.4 is a short floor-standing toilet. An oblique outlet and a funnel-shaped bowl make this model a universal option for a bathroom in an apartment building.
- Gustavsberg Nordic 2310 is a popular model in the mid-price category. A simple floor-standing toilet with a horizontal outlet. Suitable for installation in an apartment building.
- Ido Seven D 36214. The oval bowl and universal outlet allow you to place the device in bathrooms with different water supply systems.
Each model is unique and will suit different toilets and lighted bathrooms. All products are united by their compact size. Another way to save space in the toilet is to install a wall-hung sanitary fixture. But in this case, system repair and installation are complicated.
Tank design
The location of the tank is a bowl, and it itself can be made in different configurations and have different volumes. It is recommended to install the tank where you will not rest your back on it. Otherwise, the mounting hardware will soon fail.
An important point is the location of the holes for water supply. It is best to opt for universal models , which have a side right, side left or bottom supply. It should be remembered that the service life of the fittings is 3-5 years, and the toilet is designed for 6-15 years. Thus, before the toilet loses its service life, the drain fittings must be replaced once or twice. It is advisable to prepare for this moment in advance.
Most often, about 6 liters of water are required to drain. This volume is enough to wash away any waste, regardless of its quantity. For a small drain to work effectively, 2-3 liters of water are enough . When using it, it turns out that its amount of water becomes abundant. Because of this, most owners do not often use the small drain. Among other things, a small flush can also be effective for washing the inside of a toilet tank.
To take advantage of this opportunity, it is necessary to fix a cleansing freshener that has an antibacterial effect on the inner surface. This will help you avoid the formation of plaque, as a result, your toilet will always be clean. By spending time and effort on this, you will ensure that the need for the unpleasant procedure of cleaning the toilet will not arise so often.