What Is The Best Toilet For A Basement Bathroom?

Adding a bathroom to your basement will not only prove convenient but will also increase the value of your home. But have you ever wondered which toilet type is best for your basement bathroom? We've done our research, and here's what we found out.

Choosing the best toilet for a basement bathroom will boil down to your preferences in keeping with your basement's space and drainage connections. The plumbing system should make it efficient. But on top of all that, a toilet's type and flushing system are the main factors in the selection process. And so, here are the best toilet types to consider for a basement bathroom:

  • Gravity toilet
  • Pressure-assisted toilet
  • Upflush toilet

Planning for a basement toilet prior to installation is crucial. Keep reading to learn why the toilet types we have just mentioned are appropriate for your basement bathroom. We'll also discuss their features and operating systems. Lastly, we'll also recommend the most trusted brands and models in the market.

White bathroom door that overlooks the sink and toilet lit by the window. What Is The Best Toilet For A Basement Bathroom

Basement Bathroom Toilet Options

To be able to choose the toilet that best fits your basement bathroom's space and plumbing system conditions, it will help to understand the features of each of these toilet types:

Gravity Toilet

This type of toilet can be found in conventional bathrooms. Gravity toilets are most commonly used in homes. Its design consumes less space, making it ideal for small spaces like the basement.

Since this toilet type is gravity-fed, it does not require a great deal of water pressure, which is an important factor when building a basement bathroom.

How Does A Gravity Toilet Work?

As its name implies, a gravity toilet functions through gravity. When you push the flush button or handle, this lifts a chain that opens the flapper within the tank, and the water then falls due to the force of gravity.

As the water flows down the bowl, it flows through the holes that create a circular motion that flushes the waste out of the bowl. Hence, the water goes to the trap and into the main drain. Once the toilet tank is empty, the flapper closes and will serve as a seal in the tank's passage hole.

The fill valve is responsible for refilling the tank with enough water supply for the next flush. Check out this video to better understand how this traditional type of toilet works:

Take note that there are different varieties and styles of gravity toilets. If you're not sure of what model to install in your basement, you can consult a plumbing expert.

Gravity toilets are usually cheaper than other toilet types. TOTO is one of the leading brands for gravity toilets.

Click here to see this TOTO power flush toilet on Amazon.

Click here to see this TOTO tornado flush toilet on Amazon.

Pressure-Assisted Toilet

Pressure-assisted toilets look almost the same as standard toilets. The difference is in the tank-in-tank structure that adds air pressure to the flushing system. And when it comes to basement bathrooms, these toilets are the better alternative.

Though your drainage lines may be technically deep enough for gravity-assisted plumbing, the fall isn't as strong in the basement compared to the upper floors of your house.

To prevent clogs with standard plumbing, opt for the pressure-assisted toilet that enables air pressure to push waste through the pipes.

These toilets may be known for the loud whooshing sound they produce when flushing. But their advantages in all aspects make the noise only a minor issue. Keep reading to learn more about their benefits.

White toilet bowl in bathroom. What Is The Best Toilet For A Basement Bathroom

Are Pressure-Assisted Toilets Better?

In comparison to a gravity toilet, a pressure-assisted toilet may be better. It has a tank within a larger ceramic tank that supplies added air pressure. With the additional pressure and the force of gravity, its explosive flush will leave your toilet bowl cleaner than a typical one.

This toilet is common in commercial establishments like hotels, restaurants, and the like. But since it can flush more efficiently, this toilet has become a trend in residential bathrooms.

Why Go For Pressure-Assisted Toilets?

Here are the advantages that prove that pressure-assisted toilets are a better option:

1. Faster And Stronger Flushes

A pressure-assisted toilet has faster and stronger flushes because of the large amount of air pressure. Thus, it’s better at flushing solid waste, with a strong force pushing it farther. This will guarantee that nothing will come back unlike other models of gravity-fed systems.

Moreover, the quality of conventional toilets may vary depending on their model. Choosing cheaper brands might give you the hassle of an inefficient flushing system.

Although there are gravity-flush types that are efficient and high quality, with a pressure-assisted toilet, all models have an outstanding performance in terms of flushing.

2. Cleaner Toilet Bowls

The pressure-assisted system produces a strong flow of water that cleans off dirt and smudges on the toilet walls. In addition, it maintains a higher water level, which also keeps the bowl clean. This means less cleaning and less use of chemical solutions, too.

3. Saves Money And Water

Less cleaning means you don't have to purchase cleaning solutions that often. You can also save water, as everything's clean with just one flush.

Also, the pressure-assisted toilet has lower maintenance. It contains fewer parts, making it less likely to break. However, its parts are hard to find. If your toilet has problems, you should hire a qualified plumber to fix it. Doing it yourself may just waste your time instead of saving money.

A pressure-assisted toilet might be expensive at first, but it saves money and water in the long run.

4. Clogs Less

The forceful flushing prevents the toilet from clogging. It pushes the solid waste into the plumbing system, reaching over the sticking points in the sewage line. And even when it comes to old pipes, a pressure-assisted system reduces the chances of a clogging toilet.

5. No Sweating Or Condensation

Unlike gravity toilets, pressure-assisted toilets are not affected by humid weather. These toilets’ tank-in-tank structure prevents sweating or condensation, reducing the humidity in your basement bathroom for the long run.

The Kohler's Highline Classic is one of the best models for pressure-assisted toilets. It has many high-functioning features and has a comfortable toilet seat.

Click here to see this Kohler Highline Classic pressure lite toilet on Amazon.

Upflush Toilet

It's ideal to add in a bathroom with tight spaces like the basement or in places that are inconvenient for installing pipes. It allows installing a bathroom without breaking the bank and complicated plumbing.

close up flushing water in toilet bowl.

What Is An Upflush Toilet?

An upflush toilet is also called a "macerating toilet." While gravity-fed and pressure-assisted toilets flush downward to the pipes, an upflush system discharges out into a macerator pump located at the back of the toilet.

The macerator has a powerful rotating blade that grinds human waste and toilet paper. The solid material mixed with flushing water turns into a fine slurry. Through the electric-powered pump, the slurry moves through the pipe upward to the sewage system or septic tank.

How Much Does It Cost To Install An Upflush Toilet?

An upflush toilet with its parts and features typically costs around $600–$1,300. Most professional plumbers charge $65–$100 per hour, and it usually takes 2 to 4 hours for installation ($130–$400). So you can expect a total installation cost of $730–$1,700.

Although you can hire a plumber, you can install an upflush toilet in a DIY way that can decrease your expenses to a lower cost.

Why Would You Need A Macerating Toilet?

You would need a macerating toilet for a location that's too far from the main drain line to avoid a major plumbing overhaul. This often occurs in basements where the drain's location is below grade or below the level of the main drain line.

Without the gravitational pull that will push waste out of the home, an alternative means of transport is ideal and convenient.

Fortunately, a macerating toilet has a macerator pump that grinds waste and directs it upward through the nearest drain pipes and into the main drain line. It also has a small-diameter discharge pipe (3/4 of an inch across), allowing you to install a bathroom virtually anywhere.

Aside from the easier installation of a macerating toilet, you can also connect its pump to a sink and shower, creating a full bathroom.

Macerating toilets are more expensive but their installation is a lot cheaper. Saniflo is one of the most trusted brands for these toilets.

Click here to see this SaniPLUS macerating toilet kit on Amazon.

toilet bowl on a dark toilet. What Is The Best Toilet For A Basement Bathroom

Final Thoughts

Each toilet type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whether you prefer gravity, pressure-assisted, or upflush toilets, you won't go wrong when you choose the features that are most appropriate for your basement bathroom's space and plumbing system.

However, if you have concerns about installing the toilet type of your choice, you should consult a professional plumber for advice.

To learn more about basements bathrooms, check these articles:

Can You Put A Bathroom In A Basement?

How To Get Rid Of Sewer Smell In Basement Bathroom

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