From: "Js Walker Lazenby Jr" 
Newsgroups: alt.home.repair misc.consumers.house alt.building.construction
Subject: Re: Toilet Handle Location - New Home
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2003 18:37:06 -0500


"Me"  wrote in message
news:17c803da.0312271926.754259cb@posting.google.com...
> [Sorry for the cross-post.  Wasn't sure which group is
best.]
>
> On the final walk-through of our new home today, I noticed
all of our
> toilet flush handles are rather hard to get to.
>
> Could somebody that knows more than me take a look at
these pictures
> and see if these look installed correctly with the correct
parts?  I'm
> talking about how the handle is obscured almost completely
by the lid.
>
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/lidup.jpg
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/handle.jpg
>
> Here's the labels of the toilets (Made by Vortens, Seat by
Bemis) and
> how it looks with the lid down:
>
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/label.jpg
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/label2.jpg
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/liddown.jpg
>
> And here's a toilet in the model home which shows much
more clearance
> (I think due to a different tank model):
>
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/modelup.jpg
> http://blake.is-a-geek.com/hcc/potty/modeldown.jpg
>
> So, is the seat too big?  Is the handle placed
incorrectly?  Does the
> smaller tank not match the rest of the toilet?  Am I crazy
for even
> thinking about this?
>
> I'm going to stop by Home Depot tomorrow, but I figured
I'd get better
> answers from you guys.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help!
>
> Blake
>
> Note: the email listed works.  It's just throw-away to cut
down on
> spam.  Check out sneakemail.com for details.

Just be thankful, Me . . .

. . . that you don't have a pull knob centered side-to-side
and front-to-back on the lid of your toilet tank.  That
would really throw you.  Especially, if you try to reach it
while remaining seated, and don't really know where it is.

The top-mounted pull best serves those European johns that
you have to stand up and swab the bowl with those little
mops they supply.  It is easy to reach the knob and pull it
up repeatedly.  Doesn't matter if you are right or left
handed, as it plays no favorites, being in the center.  Just
don't tell the PC squad, or they will federally mandate it
just to not show favoritism.

Equally difficult to fathom is the push button on the
upper-end toilets of circa 60's vintage.  They are on the
side, about half way back.  Try reaching back on your own
toilet, pretend there is a dime size button sticking out
about 7/16" and requiring at least 7.2 lbs. of thrust at
right angles to and pointed directly at your spine.  I'll
take that pull knob at the top over that side button any
time.

None of the handles, buttons, knobs, etc., are as user
friendly and as intuitive as the old pull chain with the
nice big porcelain handle.  I used one of those one time and
never forgot.  Only thing more convenient is the little
house at the end of the path that had no such contrivance at
all.

Jim