Terry Loves Bellevue & Kirkland
425-649-5683, Top Rated Plumber 1-877-808-5683
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Toilet riser other than Toilevator?

  1. #1
    DIY Member MaxBlack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    TX Hill Country
    Posts
    57

    Red face Toilet riser other than Toilevator?

    We have a several toilets that are efficient and flush fine but if we had our druthers would be a couple inches taller, and while the $$ are not truly our issue I have heartburn about putting relatively new porcelain et al in the landfill.

    Apparently there are exactly TWO products on the market to raise an existing toilet, the Toilevator, which as I've looked at it is made of PVC plastic (some think it won't last) and increases height by 3.5" which seems a bit tall to me. Another product is rectangular, looks like a friggin' cat box turned upside-down, and goes even higher at 4".

    I wonder if there are any alternatives for retrofitting a toilet a couple inches higher that folks here have tried or heard about. Yeah I realize the tricky part might be making a good connection from the toilet to the existing flange...

    Last edited by Terry; 08-17-2011 at 03:07 PM.

  2. #2
    In the Trades Gary Swart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Yakima WA
    Posts
    6,838

    Default

    To my knowledge, these have never been discussed on this forum. If you currently are using low flow toilets, why not donate them to Habitat for Humanity, take the tax write off, and buy quality Toto ADA toilets. You will have superior quality toilets that don't look like they are set on cat box turned upside down or other a Mickey Mouse invention.

  3. #3
    DIYer, not in the trades LLigetfa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    NW Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    2,950

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MaxBlack View Post
    ...I have heartburn about putting relatively new porcelain et al in the landfill...
    In most places, stuck out on the curb with a "FREE" sign and they're gone. Put a "$15" sign on them and they will probably go quicker cuz they thing they are worth something.

  4. #4
    Retired Defense Industry Engineer jadnashua's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    19,204

    Default

    There are some extra thick seats for a toilet that may work for you as well. I think I'd replace the toilet, though.
    Jim DeBruycker
    Important note - I'm not a pro
    Retired Defense Industry Engineer

  5. #5
    DIY Member MaxBlack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    TX Hill Country
    Posts
    57

    Default

    Good answers, thanks. I thought I might have missed a riser option, but I guess not. I don't think my neighbors would like my putting them out on the curb, not even for a day (it WOULD be interesting to see how long they'd last, though)! But the donation idea is a good one--our toilets are in perfect shape still.

    jadnashua I don't like those raised seats any more than you...

    P.S. I'd searched here, but now that I look at this thread I see there are "Similar Threads" below where at least one mentions the toilevator. Either our Search engine ain't the best, or I'm losing my touch. I'm willing to accept that it might be the latter...
    Last edited by MaxBlack; 08-17-2011 at 02:27 PM.

  6. #6
    Forum Admin, Expert Plumber Terry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Bothell, Washington
    Posts
    12,418
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    The raised seats leave too much without a rinse.
    They're horrible.

    It would be better to use a riser, better yet to replace the bowl.

    Though sometimes you don't have many options.
    Wall hung bowls can't be easily raised up, so it's easier to use a taller seat on those.
    I do sell plenty of ADA bowls now.



    The one on the right is an ADA bowl by Toto

  7. #7
    In the Trades Gary Swart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Yakima WA
    Posts
    6,838

    Default

    When I had hip replacement several years ago, I used a raised seat. I served the purpose for a short time I could not sit down as low as the regular seat, but it was a real ugly thing to have in the room. Replace the toilet.

  8. #8
    Moderator and Plumber jimbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    9,003

    Default

    In terms of the riser, you could have a fabricaton shop make one of granite, corian, etc. and custom shaped to match the base of your toilet, and the height you want. I am guessing that would cost about the same as good new ada toilet

  9. #9
    DIY Member MaxBlack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    TX Hill Country
    Posts
    57

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jimbo View Post
    you could have a fabricaton shop make one
    Even ignoring the cost, I'd have to figure-out a connection to the closet flange. Given the toilet is a 1.6gpm flush and in perfect shape, it makes most sense to give it away and install an ADA--that's what I'll do.

    I've a feeling there's a market oppty for nice, porcelain risers of different heights & shapes (to compete w/toilevator), but for my needs a replacement works. And btw has the best WAF too!

  10. #10
    Moderator & Master Plumber hj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cave Creek, Arizona
    Posts
    23,518

    Default

    quote; I've a feeling there's a market oppty for nice, porcelain risers of different heights & shapes.

    Of course there is, all you have to do is set up a production line to make about a thousand DIFFERENT models, and hope you can sell a couple of each one at the $1,000 it would cost to make them. As for the old toilets, you put them at the side of the road and put "DO NOT TOUCH" signs on them and they will disappear in a matter of hours.
    Last edited by hj; 08-20-2011 at 09:22 AM.
    Licensed residential and commercial plumber

Similar Threads

  1. leaky toilet riser in concrete floor
    By 1morefool in forum Toilet Forum discussions
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 08-04-2011, 06:50 AM
  2. Toilet riser WAY out of plumb - options?
    By jadziedzic in forum Toilet Forum discussions
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 10-19-2010, 09:39 PM
  3. Any Toilevator experience?
    By Mikey in forum Toilet Forum discussions
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-27-2010, 04:47 PM
  4. How you get that %$#&$% riser out?
    By santa6 in forum Shower & bathtub Forum & Blog
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-10-2009, 01:57 PM
  5. Riser
    By Ian Gills in forum Electrical Forum discussion & Blog
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-19-2007, 04:09 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •