Pressure Assist Toilet – Beginner’s Guide

Beginner Info, Toilet

Pressure Assist Toilet
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In this post, I’ll walk you through various aspects of a pressure-assisted toilet in order to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Moreover, I’ll also be throwing light on Kohler’s pressure-assisted toilet to help you clear your doubts before you make a buying decision.

Lastly, I’ll be responding to the queries related to pressure assist toilets in the FAQs section of this post.

So, without any further ado, let’s begin…

What Is A Pressure Assist Toilet?

As the name suggests, a pressure-assisted toilet is one that is very powerful in its operation as well as injects water out of the tank with optimum force.

A pressure-assist toilet falls in the category of a high-efficiency toilet which is known to offer a wide range of benefits which we’ll be discussing in a while.

They use compressed air to flush out the waste in your toilet.

And, as a result, it has great flushing power and could be a viable option for commercial settings.

In simple words, a pressure-assist toilet is a unique blend of power and efficiency.

It consists of an airtight plastic tank inside the porcelain tank where the water is stored.

For increasing the velocity of the outgoing water, a pressure-assist toilet uses both water and pressurized air.

The good news is, a pressure-assist toilet is capable of generating a very powerful flush just by using about 1.1 to 1.4 GPF, interesting, isn’t it?

Increased flushing powerful will make your job easier and less time-consuming when it comes to breaking the larger waste into smaller ones.

pressure assist toilet

I’m also attaching a self-explanatory video for your perusal.

It goes without saying that pressure-assist toilets are designed in such a way that they are able to utilize higher levels of water-based pressure so that any kind of waste can be effectively eliminated directly into the structure’s sewage system.

The water that is used during the flush cycle of a pressure-assist toilet is pushed through with a higher velocity.

In layman’s terms, a pressure assist toilet not only uses less water during the flush cycle but also is highly effective at reducing the likelihood of a clog.

How Pressure-Assisted Toilets Work?

A pressure-assisted toilet consists of an airtight plastic tank inside the large porcelain tank so that flushing power can be improved when compared to other types of toilets.

The unique thing about the airtight plastic tank is that it fills with water between flushes as well as it is designed to trap air inside the tank and increases the air pressure as more water fills in the tank.

In fact, when a pressure-assist toilet is ready to flush, it uses the built-up pressure so that water can be forced out from the tank into the bowl in a very powerful manner and at a much higher velocity.

If you own a gravity-flow toilet then you’ll agree that it lacks such flushing power.

Also, a pressure-assist toilet uses less water per flush when compared to a gravity-flow toilet.

And, the best part is, you don’t have to worry at all about increasing the trapway in size because the flush force is sufficient to break larger waste into smaller parts.

As mentioned earlier, in a pressure-assisted toilet, a smaller tank rests within the main tank, and the former includes a special type of air bladder technology that features both water and air.

The weight of the water compresses the air within the tank.

During the flushing process, the associated pressure forces the water through the system in an effective and powerful way.

Once the flushing cycle is completed, both water and air refill the pressure assist tank in order to ensure a continuous successful cycle each time the toilet is flushed.

To sum up, a pressure-assist toilet is designed with two tanks in such a way that one is placed inside the other which helps in creating compressed air. When you’ll flush a pressure-assist toilet, the air forces water that is within the product down.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Pressure Assist Toilet?

Before making a buying decision, make sure you’re well aware of both pros and cons of a pressure-assist toilet.

In this section, I’ll walk you through both pros and cons of a pressure assist toilet in the best possible way I could.

Pros Of Pressure-Assisted Toilets

Let’s have a quick look at the pros and benefits of a pressure assist toilet.

  • As compared to a traditional gravity flow model, the pressure-assist counterpart is relatively stronger and also, flushes more waste using less water.
  • These toilets are relatively easier to clean and maintain since the bulk of the water is located in the bowl.
  • It uses two tank system which reduces condensation and sweat making your bathroom less humid.
  • A pressure-assisted toilet will clog less often when compared to a gravity flow counterpart, thanks to its powerful flushing action.

Note: A pressure-assist toilet can be a viable option for older homes with dilapidated sewage lines that are subjected to frequent clogs. In fact, the extra power of flushing can easily push waste past sticking points within the sewage line.

Increased Flushing Power

One of the main benefits of upgrading to a pressure-assisted toilet is its enhanced flushing power.

And, the best part is, it will not increase the amount of water used per flush.

Let’s understand with an example.

You’ll be astonished to know that a pressure-assisted toilet will save you about 0.2 to 0.5 gallons per flush, or 4,000 gallons per year which will result in a reduction in your water bill cost, and as a result, there will be an increased effort on your end in promoting water conservation.

On the other hand, on average newer gravity-flow toilets will use about 1.6 GPF.

A pressure-assist toilet can flush more powerfully when compared to a standard gravity-flow toilet because the former consists of built-up air pressure inside the airtight plastic tank that forces the water out of the tank in an explosive rush.

Pressure Assisted Toilet Helps In Preventing Frequent Clogging

It goes without saying that the enhanced flush power of your pressure-assisted toilet will definitely reduce the need for a second or third flush to clear waste from your toilet bowl.

Moreover, the high-velocity flush also helps in breaking down large pieces of waste and thus, preventing clogs in your toilet and further down the drain line.

In layman’s terms, you don’t need to worry about using a plunger, a drain snake, or any harsh drain-cleaning chemical that may do lasting damage to your plumbing system in case, you’re not using them as per the directions.

May Reduce Cleaning Frequency And Condensation Problems

A pressure-assisted toilet may require less cleaning as strong flush power will remove debris from the inside of your toilet bowl.

Also, the water level in the toilet bowl of a pressure-assisted toilet is higher than the water level in a gravity-flow toilet.

Needless to say, the increased water level will help in keeping the sides of your bowl clean during use.

The thing that I really adore about a pressure-assisted toilet is its ability to deal effectively with clogging problems.

In fact, the plastic tank holds the water so that it doesn’t touch the sides of the porcelain and as a result, condensation can’t form on the outside of the toilet tank.

However, the probability of condensation issues can still occur on the toilet bowl.

Cons Of Pressure-Assisted Toilets

  • Compared to traditional gravity-flow toilets, pressure-assisted toilets are louder and produce more sound when flushed.
  • They are expensive when compared to gravity-flow toilets.
  • The limited uses of a pressure-assist toilet make their parts harder to find. Moreover, you’ll not find their parts stocked on shelves in many hardware stores or self-improvement centers so you may have to order their parts or even visit a plumbing supply house.

Don’t worry, the shortcomings of a pressure-assisted toilet don’t overshadow the benefits for sure.

The increased flushing power that I’ve been bragging about through this post comes with a cost attached to it.

In fact, if you’re on a tight budget then a pressure-assisted toilet may not be the best choice for you as it is relatively costlier when compared to a gravity-flow toilet.

A gravity-flow toilet costs in the range of $100 & $300 whereas a pressure-assisted toilet typically costs in the range of $500 & $700.

Most importantly, a pressure-assisted toilet produces a considerable amount of noise as compared to a gravity-flow counterpart.

Also, finding the parts of a pressure-assisted toilet can be a tedious and time-consuming task as it isn’t as readily available as a gravity-flow counterpart.

Pressure Assist Vs. Gravity

Let’s have a quick look at both toilets so that you can choose the one that not only suits your requirements but also falls well within your budget.

Gravity-Assisted

The gravity-assisted toilets are quite common and have been in existence for ages.

As the name suggests, gravity plays a major role in their functionality.

As soon as you push the handle, a valve opens within the tank and the water falls from the force of gravity.

A siphoning effect is created in the trapway at the base of the toilet as soon as the waterfalls are inside the bowl.

Moreover, the siphoning action moves water and waste through the pipe and into the septic tank or utility sewer pipes.

Following this gravity-induced waste and water removal, a small gushing pipe refills the tank until a float shuts off the flow of water.

In order to keep the water inside the tank and prevent overflow, there is a small overflow tube present in the unit.

The good news is, most homes can accommodate a gravity-assisted toilet.

On the downside, low-flow gravity-assisted toilets can interfere with the installation procedure due to your home’s plumbing structure.

Moreover, low-flush toilets may not flush the waste as efficiently as the other form of toilets.

You may be able to save on the amount of water needed per flush but at the same time, the number of flushes may increase if the first flush will not do its work properly.

Pressure-Assisted

It goes without saying that a pressure-assisted toilet relies on the same gravity but at the same time, assists the force of gravity with additional pressure.

Needless to say, a small tank within the main tank supplies added pressure.

The end result is easily achieved as water displaces air within a sealed cylindrical tank inside the larger ceramic tank.

Moreover, the cylinder is able to generate a larger force through the air inside the cylinder and is either made up of plastic or metal.

Since the air pressure is forced through the tank so you’ll hear a loud whooshing sound.

As compared to other forms of toilets, the pressure-assisted counterparts are known to hold more water and require a minimum water pressure of 25 PSI to operate most effectively, and as a result, are becoming more popular as efficient toilets that can use less water as well as flush more efficiently.

Features to Compare When Purchasing a New Toilet

Let’s have a quick look at some important features that you must compare when it comes to purchasing a new toilet.

Bowl Shape

There are mainly two bowl shapes that you need to consider if you’re planning to make an informed purchase decision.

  • Round Bowl
  • Elongated Bowl

In general, round bowl toilets are less expensive and also take up less space so it can be a viable option if you’re on a tight budget.

On the other hand, if your top priority is comfort then you can opt for an elongated bowl toilet as it has got more surface area to sit on.

Flushing Technology

In general, there are mainly three types of flushing systems to consider.

  • Gravity-flush toilet
  • Pressure-assisted toilet
  • Vacuum-assist toilet

I’ve said earlier also, the gravity-flush toilet is the most common type of toilet.

As the name suggests, it uses gravity to flush waste.

In fact, as soon as you pull down on your toilet handle, a gravity flush toilet will open the flushing valve, allowing water into the bowl and flushing out the waste.

On the other hand, a pressure-assisted toilet uses air and water pressure to force water into the toilet bowl, flushing the waste.

On top of it, a pressure-assisted toilet is more powerful than a gravity flush toilet and can flush more waste with less water.

Since these toilets can flush waste more effectively so they also tend to leave less water residue in the toilet bowl than a gravity-flush toilet.

Lastly, a vacuum-assist toilet comes with a vacuum tank that is connected to the trapway.

As soon as you’ll flush your toilet, the vacuum tank will create suction and will help suck waste out of your toilet and through the trapway.

These toilets fall in a similar price range to pressure-assist toilets and are on the higher side when it comes to comparing their price with gravity-flush toilets.

The thing that I really adore about a vacuum-assist toilet is its ability to be as effective as a pressure-assist toilet in terms of powerful flushing and making relatively less noise.

Efficiency

In layman’s terms, the more efficient your toilet is the more expensive it will be.

However, the higher the efficiency the lower will be your water bill in the long run.

A toilet’s efficiency is measured by the amount of water it uses per flush.

As per federal regulations, the maximum amount of water that a toilet can use per flush is 1.6 gallons.

Nonetheless, highly efficient toilets like the one that we’ve reviewed in this post use not more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush.

In simple words, when looking at a toilet’s efficiency you should look at the type of flushing option that the toilet has.

Most toilets come with either of the two flushing options mentioned below.

  • Single flush toilet
  • Dual flush toilet

A single-flush toilet will have only one flushing setting and is known to use the same amount of water for every single flush, which is usually 1.6 gallons in case, your toilet isn’t highly efficient.

On the other hand, a dual-flush toilet comes with two flushing options.

One option is a light flush which uses a small amount of water, and the other option is a full flush.

In layman’s terms, over the years a dual-flush toilet will save you a decent amount of water which can reduce your water bills, interesting, isn’t it?

Well, if you want a high-efficiency toilet then look for a WaterSense label.

WaterSense toilets promise to reduce water usage for toilets by 20-60 percent which is approximately 13,000 gallons of water per year.

Style

In general, three styles of toilet exists listed below.

  • Two-piece
  • One piece
  • Wall-mounted

Out of the three “styles” of toilets, the wall-mounted ones are the least expensive and are considered the most “basic” kind of toilet.

When you install a two-piece toilet, the tank, and the bowl are two separate pieces that are bolted together during the installation process.

One-piece toilets are one, solid piece of ceramic.

These toilets are more expensive than two-piece toilets but come with benefits like:

  • One-piece toilets are preferred by house owners because of their sleek and modern look.
  • Since it’s one solid piece of ceramic so cleaning it is easy, quick, and less time-consuming.
  • A one-piece toilet prevents the leaking risk of running the toilet leaking between the tank and the bowl which isn’t the case with a two-piece toilet.

Wall-mounted toilets are exactly what they sound like, that is, toilets with no base that are mounted to the wall.

They fall into the category of an expensive style of toilets and are typically made out of one ceramic piece like a one-piece toilet.

Add ons

You should also look for some essential addons in the toilet that you’re planning to buy such as adding a bidet, adding lights, adding a drop seat, etc.

Best Pressure Assist Toilets – An Unbiased Review

Let’s have a quick look at some of the best pressure-assisted toilets that we’ve been recommending to our clientele for quite some time.

Since we’ve been receiving promising and positive feedback from our clients so our core team decided to present these superlative pressure assist toilets to a wide range of audiences via our blog izzysmarthomeguide.com.

IzzySmartHomeGuide.Com | Product Selection Procedure

First and foremost, our core team which consists of 5 members does the brainstorming and comes up with a set of evaluation parameters.

Each evaluation parameter is assigned a certain weightage depending upon its ability to influence a buyer’s decision.

During the evaluation process, every product is evaluated across these parameters and assigned a score for each of these parameters.

Note: The scores are relative and NOT ABSOLUTE.

Finally, we sum up the scores and shortlist the top performers for reviewing on izzysmarthomeguide.com.

Feel free to contact us if you’ve any doubts or queries.

Our core team will be more than happy to assist you in the best possible ways that they could.

Does it make sense?

KOHLER Karing 2.0 Intelligent Toilet

The KOHLER Karing 2.0 Intelligent Toilet is the most popular pressure-assisted toilet among my clients, and trust me, for all the good reasons.

I’ve spoken many times on this blog that the brand KOHLER doesn’t need any introduction.

Not only does it prove its mettle time and again but also is known for introducing tech-enabled innovative products at a reasonable price.

Best Kohler pressure assist toilet for the money

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And, the KOHLER Karing 2.0 Intelligent Toilet isn’t an exception either.

We’ve been recommending this little beast for quite some time, and the feedback has been amazing from our clientele.

So, our core team decided to bring this KOHLER model to a wider range of audience via this blog.

The Karing 2.0 from KOHLER isn’t only intelligent as its name suggests but also comes with compressed air pressure.

You don’t have to lift the seat as the chair height commode opens up automatically, interesting, isn’t it?

The toilet is capable of flushing on its own as well as you can expedite the flushing process with a touchscreen remote.

On top of it, the USP of Karing 2.0 is a stainless steel bidet wand with multiple settings and a self-cleaning feature.

It also consists of a built-in UV light as well as an electrolyzed water system that puts Karing 2.0 in a different league altogether.

Also, the bowl and wand cleanse themselves.

Just for your information, the unit requires only 1.08 gallons per flush.

The thing that I really adore about this little beast is the “backup” flushing option that it is equipped with.

Some other interesting features that put Karing 2.0 on the top spot include an automatic deodorizer, LED night light, a heated seat, and a warm air dryer.

In simple words, this pressure-assisted toilet is a unique blend of smartness and comfort.

However, this KOHLER pressure-assisted toilet may not be the best choice for someone who is on a shoestring budget.

Don’t worry, we’ve some budget-friendly pressure-assisted toilets on our list as well for price-sensitive buyers.

Features

  • Fully automated
  • Comfort height & elongated
  • Heated seat
  • Highly adjustable bidet
  • UV sanitation

American Standard 2-Piece Elongated Pressure-Assisted Toilet

The American Standard 2-Piece Elongated Pressure Assisted Toilet tops our list and trust me, for all the good reasons.

In simple words, it consists of all the essential and premium features that you might be looking for in your favorite assisted toilet.

American Standard pressure assisted toilet

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Not only is it reasonably priced but has also outperformed its close competitors in a similar price range with a good margin.

The 100-pound American Standard pressure-assisted toilet comes with pressure-assisted siphon jet action and uses 31 percent less water.

Trust me, you don’t have to worry about cleaning this assisted toilet frequently, thanks to the Permanent EverClean surface that maintains the cleanliness of the surface.

Some idiosyncratic features including high-efficiency ultra-low consumption (1.1 gpf/4.2 Lpf), 16-1/2″ (419 mm) chair height for accessible applications, 2-1/8″ (54 mm) fully-glazed trap-way puts this American Standard pressure-assisted toilet in a different league altogether.

The floor-mounted assisted toilet consists of a black-outlet toilet bowl, a tankless seat, and a condensation channel.

Moreover, the USP of this toilet is the gravity-fed, pressure-assisted, and flushomatic-valve flushing options.

During our evaluation process, we found the power-assisted flush to be extraordinary.

Trust me, it is one of the best American Standard pressure-assisted toilets that we’ve on our list.

Do I still need to convince you?

Features

  • Uses 31% less water
  •  Accessible design with a Chair Height of 16-1/2″
  •  Permanent EverClean surface for easy cleaning
  • 100 Pounds
  • 29.75 x 20.5 x 30.75 inches
  • Limited one-year warranty

KOHLER Highline Classic Pressure Lite Comfort Toilet

As we all know, Kohler is a brand that doesn’t needs any introduction.

Time and again, the brand has proved its mettle by introducing quality products at reasonable prices.

The two-piece Kohler-assisted toilet comes with an elongated bowl that offers added room and comfort.

Moreover, the pressure-assisted flushing system enhances the convenience of multifold.

The USP of Kohler K-3493-0 Pressure Assist Toilet is the Comfort Height(R) feature that offers adequate height sitting for most adults.

Kohler pressure assisted toilet

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Trust me, you’re gonna love the height as it will not cause you any strain in your knee when standing.

If you love self-cleaning your pressure-assisted toilet then Kohler K-3493-0 can be a viable option for you.

The tank is a 3-volt setup and is easy to attach once you’ve mounted the base.

Irrespective of whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned professional, the installation process is quick, easy, and will not consume much of your time either.

The pressure-assisted toilet comes with DryLock system known for its fast and full-proof installation.

Most importantly, it prevents leaking caused during the standard installation.

Lastly, the Kohler pressure-assisted toilet is backed by a one-year limited warranty which clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the manufacturer in its offering.

Features

  • Powerful and efficient flushing system
  • The elongated bowl provides added comfort and room
  • Available in a round bowl, and elongated bowl options
  • Chair-height seating makes it easier for adults to sit down and stand up
  • Available in 10″, 12″, and 14″ rough-in
  • It sits two inches higher than standard-height toilets
  • One-year limited warranty

American Standard Cadet Flowise Right Height Elongated Toilet

The American Standard Cadet Flowise Right Height Elongated Toilet is yet another great offering from the brand American Standard which is known for its premium quality products.

It consists of almost all the essential features that you might be looking for in your favorite pressure-assisted toilet.

American Standard Pressure Assisted Toilet

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Not only does it comes with a pressure-assisted siphon jet flush but it also has a metal chrome trip lever.

The pressure-assisted toilet consists of an EverClean surface so cleaning it wouldn’t be a tedious task for you.

Furthermore, the American Standard pressure-assisted toilet meets EPA WaterSense criteria making it one of the best on our list if NOT THE BEST.

The pressure-assisted toilet will not consume more than 1.1 gallons per flush.

Moreover, the 45.7 pounds toilet is floor mounted and elongated in shape.

And, the best part is, American Standard gives you a limited lifetime warranty on this product which clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the brand in its offering.

Features

  • The water-efficient design saves 31% of the water
  •  Powerful and clean flushes with pressure-assisted siphon jet
  •  EverClean surface for easy cleaning and maintenance

KOHLER Wellworth Pressure Lite Toilet

The Wellworth Pressure Lite Toilet is yet another great offering from the brand KOHLER, and trust me, it has got some amazing features that will definitely surprise you.

Personally, I use this little beast, and I’m more than happy to share with you that till now, I’ve had an amazing experience with this product.

Kohler pressure-assisted toilet

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Not only is it easy to clean and maintain but also highly durable that can easily deal with day-to-day tear and wear.

This WaterSense toilet doesn’t only come with a traditional design but also has an impressive flush rate of 1.1 GPF.

The 2.5-inch flush valve is unique in its own sense and the MaP score of 1000 is definitely gonna surprise you with its performance.

You can also use it for your basement bathrooms as KOHLER’s Pressure Lite system from SLOAN inside the tank gives this toilet a significant boost.

What more do you expect from this little beast which comes at an affordable price?

The pressure-assisted toilet from KOHLER is 15.5 inches tall from the floor to the bowl and is equipped with an elongated bowl for your comfort.

Needless to say, this toilet can be a viable option for house owners who are interested in the standard water-conserving toilet.

Features

  • Only 1.1 GPF
  • Elongated bowl
  • Fantastic MaP score
  • Standard height

FAQs

In this section, I’ll be responding to the queries related to pressure-assisted toilets so that you can make an informed purchase decision.

Feel free to contact us in case, I’ve not answered your queries or cleared your doubts.

Trust me, our core team will be more than happy to assist you in the best possible way that they could.

Is a pressure-assisted toilet energy efficient?

Quite a few clients of izzysmarthomeguide.com were skeptical about the performance and efficiency of a pressure-assisted toilet just because it utilizes two tanks.

Trust me, it’s not true at all.

The fact is that a pressure-assisted toilet utilizes less water than a traditional toilet as well as enhances the flush pressure so that cleaning can become easy.

In short, if you’re interested in increasing the overall energy efficiency of your home then the best thing that you can do is to replace your traditional toilets with pressure-assisted counterparts.

Will a pressure-assisted toilet save money?

The good news is, a pressure-assisted toilet will save you a good amount of money in the long run.

Unlike, traditional toilets that have many moving parts, pressure-assist toilets have minimal moving parts.

Moreover, maintenance and cleaning cost for a pressure-assisted toilet is also reasonable.

The technologically advanced pressure-assisted toilets force water more quickly than traditional toilets.

In short, installing a pressure-assisted toilet will save on your water bill or your electric bill depending upon whether you’re on city water or a well.

Is a power flush toilet the same as a pressure-assist toilet?

Yes, both are the same.

A pressure-assist toilet is sometimes referred to as a “power flush toilet”.

The working principle of a pressure-assist toilet is based on the fact that it works by combining pressurized water with a certain degree of gravity in order to completely empty the contents of the toilet bowl upon flushing.

In layman’s terms, if you’ve trouble flushing your current toilet then this type of toilet can be a great replacement option for you.

Is a pressure-assisted toilet larger than a traditional gravity flush toilet?

No, a pressure-assisted toilet isn’t greater than a traditional gravity flush toilet system.

A pressure-assisted toilet is relatively smaller and lighter than its traditional counterpart.

Hence, they make an excellent choice for small bathrooms as well as they don’t overwhelm the structure of your home with additional weight.

Does a pressure-assist toilet increase bathroom humidity?

No, a pressure-assist toilet doesn’t increase your bathroom humidity for sure.

In simple words, the double tanks within the pressure-assist toilet are uniquely designed, as a result, condensation doesn’t build up within the bathroom.

Also, it reduces the number of germs and bacteria circulating within the room.

Moreover, the reduction of moisture within the bathroom helps in keeping the room safer and cleaner.

And, the best part is, it is less likely to damage the flooring and other components of your room.

Furthermore, if you’ve got a current issue with excess moisture and humidity within your bathroom, you’ll be pleased to know that it can be quickly resolved, interesting, isn’t it?

It’s A Wrap

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.

Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information on the topic of pressure-assisted toilets.

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And, in case, you liked our effort and want to appreciate us, then please do share this post with like-minded people and the ones who are in search of a similar piece of information.

After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?

Long story short, we’ve tried to the best of our capabilities to provide you with important information related to pressure-assisted toilets so that you can make an informed purchase decision.

In case of any doubts or queries, feel free to contact us, and our core team will be more than happy to assist you in the best possible way that they could.

That’s all, as of now :):)