Help needed for busy bathroom

Q: Dear Ed: We have a family game room in our basement, complete with a half-bath. Between friends and family, this large room is the busiest area in our home and has a lot of bathroom traffic. Let's just say our present toilet is not up to doing the job. Any ideas on the new type of toilet I should install in my busy bathroom? - Fred, Michigan

A: For busy bathrooms, there are usually three toilet issues to address.

First, you want a toilet made for extra-heavy use. Look for options like three-bolt tank-to-bowl connections and metal flushing handle assemblies.

Second, you want maintenance features like full-bowl rinsing and a molded-in sanitary guard to help deflect liquids from getting between the tank and bowl.

Finally, the flushing system should incorporate water-saving technology and still be powerful enough to flush bulk waste.

To find these features, you can check out a hospitality commercial toilet. These toilets are used in many small office and event areas. Most have the same connections found in a residential bathroom.

Bottom line: For heavy home traffic, a hospitality toilet can take care of all your heavy-duty needs.