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Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. We all know that life would be very different without that wonder of modern science: the toilet. But when it acts up, we also know life can get pretty complicated in a hurry. Don t wait until you have a houseful of guests to get prepared. Homeowners should own a full-sized plunger, an auger, a bucket and some rubber gloves. In the event of a clog that s overflowing the toilet, shut off the water intake valve underneath the tank, then remove half the water from the bowl before plunging the drain opening rapidly several times. If the water goes down, plunge once more for good measure before turning the water back on and flushing. If plunging doesn t work, the auger will. Cranking clockwise, feed the auger into the drain until it tightens at the clog; reverse a bit, then continue down as far as it ll go, and pull the whole thing up at once. Remove that matchbox car that junior s been missing along with any other debris, and plunge again before you flush, just in case. As always, being prepared with the right tools can save the day! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Replacing a toilet is an easy job that requires basic tools and skills and can usually be accomplished in under an hour.

Bob looks at the Toto one-piece, 1.6 gallon toilet that will be installed in the lavatory. Unlike other toilets, the Toto model hides all obvious workings within a sleek exterior. Installation is simple, with the special flange that is provided by Toto to reconfigure the traditional drain setup. The one-piece flange is set directly on the wax ring then pressed down to form the seal. It is then bolted to the floor and given bolts to receive the toilet that is simply dropped on top. The flange bolts fit into the toilet casing and the toilet is bolted to the floor to hold it securely in place. The interior flange changes where the toilet bowl drains, making the low-flow flush more powerful. The low-consumption tank adds to the sleek, low profile design of the toilet.

When installing a new toilet, the first step is to ensure that the floor is level. With the toilet flange in place, the plumber places a ring of beeswax atop the flange to give a tight seal. A white washer, metal washer, and brass bolt secure the toilet on each side. The plumber adds thread sealant to the supply tube before connecting it to the tank. Once the connection is tightened, he turns on the water and checks for leaks. This American Standard Champion low-flush toilet has the largest siphon outlet on the market for effective bowl clearing and fewer clogs. It uses 1.6 gallons per flush and has a 10-year warranty.

Bob Vila meets with Lenora Campos from Toto USA, the largest toilet manufacturer in the world and a leader in water technology. Several years before the U.S.-mandated introduction of 1.6 gallon toilets, Japanese companies were perfecting the their use. Toto�s latest introduction is the dual flush Neorest 600. A tankless toilet with a built-in warm-water washing unit, the Neorest 600 has the ability to sense when only liquid waste has been deposited, and uses an even further reduced 1.2 gallons flush. The washing feature is similar in function to a bidet. The aerated, massaging water stream cleans with either a front- or rear-facing spray, and a deodorizing air dryer automatically removes the water. All the features of the toilet, including the raising and lowering of the lid, can be controlled by a handheld or wall mounted remote control.

Lenora Campos from Toto, USA, is with Bob for the installation of the Nexus two-piece, porcelain toilet. The design is inspired by nature, with distinct lines that hide the plumbing and suggest a rock outcropping. All Toto toilets are 1.6-gallon flush models. They flush effectively the first time because a special G-Max flush system is designed to clear waste completely through the bowl and the fully-glazed trap way. This Washlet 6300 has a wash feature and a dryer to completely eliminate the need for toilet paper. A remote control system enables homeowners to set the water, seat, and dryer temperatures and to automatically clean the wand. The system also has an energy-saving mode that powers down during periods of infrequent use. These washlets sell well throughout the world, including Japan where washlet sales outpace those of microwave ovens.

Bob meets Gerry Folan a plumber who is installing a specialized toilet. Phil Boggs from Kohler discusses the unique features of the toilet. It is a high line toilet that is ADA accessible. It sets 18" above the floor whereas a normal toilet rests 14" from the floor. This extra 4" allows a wheelchair user the ease to get up and down from the toilet. Bob also looks at an ADA lavatory with the drain towards the back of the unit and it is made to extend over the cabinet vanity so a wheelchair can get under the unit.