Comfort height toilets: What to consider before getting one

Q: Dear Ed: Recently my elderly mom needed a new toilet, and a comfort height toilet was installed. But it’s a little too high for her. Can you please add some advice about preparing first to see if a taller toilet may be a good choice for the main user?

— Al, Florida

A: We recently did a column on universal design for bathrooms and received a lot of interesting questions. Many questions were on comfort height toilets, so designers and contractors, please take note as this is a hot topic.

Now for some advice to see if a comfort height toilet may or may not be your first choice, here is a simple test you can try at home.

Most comfort height toilets are about the same height as a standard dining room chair, commonly called “chair height.” So before replacing your standard height toilet with a taller toilet, have members of your household sit around the dining room table to discuss changing to comfort height.

If it looks like a popular choice, then I recommend at least one family member go to a local plumbing showroom to see one in person, then make your final decision.

Bottom line: If you try one out first and it’s too high, passing on a comfort height toilet can be an easy decision to make.

(Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.)

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