How Low-Flow Toilets and Dual Flush Toilets Benefit You

Plumb Works Inc • January 27, 2017

Over the last few decades, massive improvements have been made in the way toilets work. If the toilets in your home were installed in the 80s, early 90s, or before, they probably use at least twice as much water as modern ones do.

In 1992, the Federal Energy Policy Act announced that new toilets installed in the US could consume no more than 3.5 gallons of water per flush. Compared with the previous standard, which was 7 gallons per flush that was a massive leap forward in water conservation.

The Introduction of Low-Flow Toilets

Thanks to the new law, Americans were introduced to low-flow toilets in the mid-90s. Originally, they met with some resistance when consumers complained that they frequently required a second flush. Through the years, design and engineering improvements have made low-flow toilets just as effective as their ancestors from decades before.

It’s clear that moving to low-flow toilets in your home is a great step for the environment. It’s also a great choice for your pocketbook. The EPA estimates that homeowners can save approximately $100 per year on their water bills by switching to a low-flow toilet.

Additional Cash Rebates

There are other incentives for replacing your old toilets with more water-efficient ones. Modern toilets help keep countless gallons from unnecessarily entering water treatment plants. That’s why many water utilities across the country are now offering cash rebates to homeowners who install eco-friendly toilets.

Call your local water management corporation to find out if rebates or incentives are available for you.

Dual Flush Toilets Consume Even Less Water

In Europe and other parts of the world, dual flush toilets have been around for a while. They are now growing in popularity in the US as well. These toilets, often with two buttons on the top of the tank, feature different flush modes for liquid and solid waste. The larger button flushes 1.6 gallons of water to eliminate solids, and the smaller one uses only 0.8 gallons for liquids.

It’s estimated that the average amount of water flushed daily by people with low-flow toilets is approximately 2/3 greater than people with a dual flush toilet. That means the annual savings on water bills will be even greater, thus justifying their slightly higher price tag.

With the financial and environmental benefits that a high-efficiency toilet offers, it makes the decision to get rid of the old water guzzlers in your home much easier. Of course, we recommend entrusting the installation of your new toilet to an experienced professional like the friendly technicians at Plumb Works. To book an appointment with the best plumbers in the Atlanta area, call 404-524-1825 today.

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March 23, 2026
Being proactive remains a key element of a successful business, and it certainly holds true when preparing for the possible devastating effects of stormy season. Spring remains one of the Atlanta area’s rainiest times of the year. According to Weather Spark, the average monthly rainfall from March through May ranges from 3 to 4.6 inches. Heavy spring storms can rain hard on a commercial facility. If unprepared, it can potentially lead to serious problems, causing everything from business downtime to costly repercussions. The following are several heavy rain-related issues that can cast a dark cloud on a commercial building and how to avoid them. Sump Pump: Fighting the Flood When it comes to flooding, stormwater remains a dreaded culprit. Having a properly functioning sump pump can help proactively help fight a flood. A sump pump collects groundwater from around a building’s foundation and pumps it away from the structure, deterring damage. Plumb Works suggests all businesses have one, especially those with a crawlspace or basement. Consult the experts at Plumb Works for sump pump installation, replacement, and preventative maintenance. Protection from Sewer Backups Heavy rains can overload a city’s sewer system. Backwater valves, a specific type of backflow prevention device, protect businesses from sewer backups by allowing wastewater out, but automatically closing to keep sewage from flowing backward. Plumb Works can install, test, and make sure your backwater valve is working properly. The Importance of Storm Drains Commercial storm drains are equipped to drain excess rain and groundwater from the areas surrounding a business, such as parking lots and sidewalks, preventing flooding, damages, and unsafe conditions. Some storm drain systems include a catch basin, which captures stormwater and separates any debris that may have come along with it. Having Plumb Works inspect, clean, and repair storm drains and catch basins can help businesses avoid a flood of unwanted costs. Cutting Out Grease Commercial kitchens require a grease trap, which keeps the plumbing system from being impacted by an overload of grease. If a grease trap isn’t functioning properly, it can have an adverse effect on a plumbing system during heavy rain. Too much grease limits pipe capacity, which can cause heavy rain to overwhelm a system, leading to backups. To avoid this, consult a plumbing professional company like Plumb Works that specializes in grease trap services. Avoiding Clogged Drains Plumbing systems in commercial facilities often fall prey to clogged pipes due to unwanted items being flushed or disposed of down drains. This can further complicate things when a mass amount of rain overwhelms a plumbing system. Businesses experiencing frequent clogs can benefit from hydro jetting. The most effective drain-cleaning solution available, hydro jetting uses high-pressure water jets to blast through clogged drains and restore peak plumbing performance. Schedule hydro jetting in advance of the rainy season to make sure pipes are functioning at their best under any possible pressure. Plumb Works Can Help Protect Your Business During Rainy Season Don’t let your business get washed away due to flooding and sewer backup challenges during the rainy season. Lean on a Plumb Works expert by calling 404-524-1825 or scheduling an appointment online.
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