Choosing a new toilet involves more than just picking a style or color. Another important factor that affects your bathroom’s long-term performance is how the toilet actually flushes. While many homeowners don’t give it much thought at first, the type of flush system you choose can make a big difference in reliability, repair costs, and how easy your toilet is to live with day-to-day.
At The Toilet Guy, we’ve installed all types of toilets across Northern Colorado. We’ve seen firsthand which systems hold up over time—and which ones tend to cause headaches. Here’s a straightforward look at the three main flush types and what we recommend.
Gravity flush toilets use simple physics—water drops naturally from the tank into the bowl to create the flush. This is the classic, time-tested design that most homes use.
Gravity toilets are:
Replacement parts are easy to find, and repairs, when needed, are usually simple and inexpensive.
Pressure-assisted toilets have a second tank inside the main tank that builds up air pressure. When you flush, the pressure forces water into the bowl much more forcefully than a gravity toilet. This delivers a strong flush that can be useful in certain situations.
Things to consider:
Another thing to be aware of is how these systems clear the bowl. Because pressure-assisted toilets forcefully break up waste and toilet paper, they can sometimes leave more residue behind, requiring additional cleaning compared to traditional gravity toilets.
In commercial settings—like restaurants, offices, and public restrooms—pressure-assist toilets can make sense. They are built to handle heavier use where occasional repairs are expected. However, for residential homes where quiet operation, ease of maintenance, and long-term reliability are more important, we believe there are better options.
Dual-flush toilets offer two buttons: one for liquid waste using less water, and one for solid waste using a full flush. The idea behind dual-flush toilets is to save water over time, but real-world use doesn’t always match the promise.
Challenges with dual-flush toilets:
Here in Colorado, all toilets are already mandated to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less. Dual-flush models may offer slight additional savings, but the real-world benefit is usually small, especially when weighed against the increased complexity and maintenance risks.
At The Toilet Guy, we strongly recommend gravity-flush toilets for most residential homes.
Gravity systems have the best track record for:
While pressure-assisted and dual-flush toilets have their place—especially where commercial regulations require them—they usually create more challenges than benefits for homeowners.
Choosing a good quality gravity toilet means fewer repairs, fewer service calls, and a bathroom setup that quietly does its job for decades.
Gravity toilets are simple by design:
It’s also important to know that gravity toilet technology has improved significantly over the years. Modern models feature:
Many newer models also use rimless flushing technology and specialty coatings*, making them easier to clean and improving overall hygiene.
Thanks to better engineering, today’s gravity toilets deliver powerful, consistent flushing while still using only 1.28 gallons of water—or even less. A properly selected and installed gravity toilet easily competes with more complicated flushing systems without the added cost or noise.
When matched with a professional installation, a gravity toilet will outperform more complicated systems—and do it quietly and reliably year after year.
The type of flush system you choose might not seem like a major decision today, but it can have a huge impact on your home’s comfort, repair costs, and plumbing performance for years to come.
At The Toilet Guy, we’ll always give you real-world advice—not sales hype. Whether you’re replacing a leaky toilet, remodeling your bathroom, or just want something you won’t have to think about again for the next 20 years, we can help you choose the right flush system for your home.
Every installation we do is backed by our 90-day labor warranty, and we use only quality components, from solid brass bolts to stainless steel supply lines.
Need help finding the right toilet for your home?
Give The Toilet Guy a call today—we’ll make the process simple, honest, and stress-free.
