While we’re no strangers to servicing urinals in non-residential systems around Red Oakland, this got us wondering – why don’t we see more home urinals?

While home urinals are growing in popularity, they haven’t really hit the mainstream. And there’s a good chance that they never will. Still, we think that the option is fascinating, and we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t tell you everything we knew about this new, macho – and practical – plumbing alternative.  

With that in mind, here are three practical reasons to consider adding a home urinal to your Red Oak property – and three reasons to hold off: 

1.) Pro: Urinals Help Save Water and Money

In an age where so many of us are trying to go “green” and do our part to conserve water, there’s no denying that a urinal will help in its own way. Some urinals can use as little as a pint of water or less per flush, according to Marketplace, compared to the 1.3-1.6 gallons used by the vast majority of conventional toilets. With this in mind, a urinal might be able to help homeowners save $20 to $40 a year on their water bills.

2.) Pro: It’s a “Conversation Piece”

Men are used to seeing them in public restrooms, but a urinal in the upstairs water closet or the basement “man cave?” That’s a game-changer, as one homeowner explained to the bloggers over at Angie’s List.

“It’s a conversation piece,” said Indianapolis homeowner Mark McKenzie. Another Indiana resident, Chris Lord, agreed, telling Angie’s List, "Some of my neighbors were like, 'I can't believe you're putting one in.’”

A urinal is a unique, customizable design element that’s far from played out, an effective way to add a fresh touch - and comfort and convenience – to a particularly cramped bathroom. Who knows? It might even add some resale value to your home down the line!

3.) Pro: They’re Safer for the Elderly

In homes where mobility is or may become an issue due to aging or disability, a urinal is an easy way to foster independence, cleanliness, and safety. As the Huffington Post reports, over the past several years urinals have grown in popularity with “retirees hoping to age in place,” as the units greatly reduce the risk of disastrous slips and falls, which often occur “when a person transitions from a seated position to standing upright.”

So, with all this in mind, why should homeowners hit pause before picking up the phone and ordering that urinal? Here are three drawbacks to keep in mind:

1.) Con: They Can Get Expensive

While a water-saving urinal will likely help you shave a few bucks off of your utility bills, urinals can also be extremely expensive propositions, particularly if you’re retrofitting them into an existing bathroom, where you may need to rework your water line to accommodate the new unit’s requirement. And the urinals themselves don’t come cheap; a home unit may set you back anywhere between $200 to $2000, plus the cost of hiring plumbing pros and contractors to make sure the job gets done right.

2.) Con: They’ll Require Maintenance and Cleaning

Sure, a urinal may reduce the need to constantly clean the “splash zone” around your toilet, but it’s not as though they’ll eliminate the need for all cleaning. Units that use chemical filters will require your attention after a certain number of uses, while the potential for odor buildup means you’ll still need to break out the cleaning solutions and elbow grease every now and then.

3.) Con: Your Home Will Still Need Standard Toilets

Anyone of any gender who needs to sit to do their business still deserves to be accommodated; it’s important to keep in mind that urinals only work for about half the population, and even then only about half the time. It’s best to think of a urinal as a luxury, rather than a requirement, since you’ll still need a conventional toilet in your home.

With that in mind, it may make more sense in most situations to install a “dual-flush” toilet, a green option that will help you save money and water on each flush, without alienating an entire gender.

What do you think? Do you have a urinal in your Red Oak home? Would you ever want one? We’d love to hear from you on Twitter or Facebook! And remember, whatever your plumbing or HVAC needs, Combat Plumbing is here and ready to take your call, day or night! Drop us a line to get the ball rolling.