Tidy Toilets
Cleaning the “throne” after use requires an unsightly brush stored nearby or a wash-down spray head. Spray heads that hookup to the toilet only work when flushed — but connecting a high-quality, home-style kitchen sprayer directly to the water system results in much better cleaning.
Spray heads used for cleaning the toilet bowl are a love-hate proposition. Those designed for connecting directly to the specific toilet are typically hooked to the vacuum breaker and will only discharge water when the flushing mechanism is engaged. For the most part, they work — but the flow of water can be anemic.
A better solution is to install a hand sprayer independent of the toilet, connected directly into the RV’s water system. Doing so will result in a stronger spray of water — but there are precautions to consider.
The biggest potential problem is leakage of the hose and/or spray head, since they are always under pressure when hooked up to city water or when the demand pump is on. Usually, the hose and fittings are watertight, but if the spray head fails, you’re going to have a mess on your hands. Another issue is accidentally pressing the lever when placed in a bracket on the wall, which will release water. Of course, you also have to keep in mind that if you spray down the bowl without opening the toilet valve, it could be overfilled (although most people can figure that out).
I’ve tried at least three spray heads dedicated to this purpose — and all of them leaked after being in service for a while; when you’re a full-timer, parts are subject to faster wear cycles. Finally, I purchased a high-quality sprayer and hose made by American Standard and it’s lasted for many years without any signs of leaking. It’s not cheap, selling for around $43, but the quality is obvious — and by comparison, making repairs caused by leaking water are much more expensive and time-consuming. I ordered the sprayer and hose from Amazon, but the write-up found there is confusing. When I checked prices at Amazon and a few other home improvement stores, the spray price for part number M953668-2950A shows that the hose is not included — but that was not the case. Checking the American Standard website and after talking to a consumer products agent, I learned that the hose is pre-attached to the nozzle and is only sold as a package. So, buyer beware of that inconsistency in the write-up, along with the option for a chrome or nickel finish. I chose the latter.
A 12-inch steel braided hose was used rather than the plastic versions normally found in RV toilet installations. These hoses are more durable and can be found in any home improvement or hardware store.
An adjustable showerhead bracket was used to hold the sprayer to the wall; this is a common part used in most RVs. The sprayer comes with a 4-foot hose, which is overkill, but any excess can be concealed behind the toilet. Figure it will take around an hour to make the new connections and clean up the water that spills after pulling the source pipe from the toilet. It goes without saying to turn off the water (or shut down the demand pump) and bleed water pressure before starting this project.
The American Standard spray head provides a strong stream of water that easily washes down the bowl after flushing and can also be used to rinse the bowl after cleaning. For around 50 bucks you can keep the toilet bowl clean without using an unsightly brush. And if you’re adventurous, you might even find other uses for the spray head.
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