Exposed Trapway Toilet Reviews

An exposed trapway toilet is a toilet where the drain path (trapway) that leads out of the toilet is exposed, meaning you can see the path from the sides of the toilet. This creates a more intricate design, which can be a feature in your bathroom.

People choose exposed trapway toilets because they like the look of it. The intricate S-trap design of the exposed trapway toilet is a look that some people prefer. It is more detailed and can be a small, but important visual feature that helps develop the style of your bathroom. In every other sense, it functions the same way as any other standard toilet.

In our research on exposed trapway toilets, we compared a large number of factors to help you determine if this is the right toilet style for you. These factors included differences in cost, size and height considerations, cleaning requirements, and more. If you are interested in an exposed trapway toilet, read our research articles to discover if it is right for you.

What is an Exposed Trapway on a Toilet?

The trapway is the drain path in the toilet that leads to the floor or wall drain. In standard toilets, it may look like an  S-shaped drain pipe toward the back of the toilet. On an exposed trapway toilet, this path is visible from the side of the toilet.

Having an exposed trapway toilet does not change how it functions. They are the same as any other toilet in every other respect. The difference is purely aesthetic in nature, making exposed trapway toilets interchangeable with other toilets.

What is the Best Trapway Diameter for a Toilet?

In terms of trapway diameter, larger diameter trapways often improve performance. The industry standard is 2-inches while the leading choice of plumbers and home designers is 2 ⅜-inches. If you have a choice, choose one of these two options. Choosing anything larger may require plumbing changes to accommodate the wider diameter connection at the end of the trapway. That means that every time you need to replace your toilet, you need to have a plumber make intensive modifications to your plumbing.

Pros and Cons of Exposed Trapway Toilets

Exposed trapway toilets can be a great aesthetic choice. However, it also means that the intricate details of that trapway are exposed to dust, dirt, and bacteria. It requires more complex cleaning than other types of toilets.