auto-flush toilets

[dagibbs]

I so hate them. Ok, dislike, not hate. You lean forward for any reason, or even just shift a bit, and all of a sudden your butt is being spritzed with fecal-matter contaminated water (or, maybe just urine-contaminated, but it is still annoying). (Auto-flush urinals aren't nearly so annoying.) Ok, occasionally there is one that is, actually, properly adjusted/tuned/calibrated that it actually only flushes when you are done and stand up -- but this seems to be the rarity, not the usual case. And, really, we're not making a hygiene savings, cause after we touch that flush lever/button we're all going to wash our hands, anyway.

So, why am I writing about this? Well, QNX has just recently moved to a new building, and all the toilets are new, modern, that is auto-flush toilets. And the last two times I've been to the toilet, the auto-flush sensor has been covered... the first time by a yellow sticky-note, the second time by paper towel propped up on an almost-finished (institutional-sized) toilet paper roll. Apparently there are others that don't like the auto-flush in the new building. I'm thinking that sticky-notes should be standard go-to-the-bathroom equipment, now.

Comments

[kali-kali.livejournal.com]

I hate them too. So much. Not dislike, hate.

[jmae.livejournal.com]

Also hate, hate, hate.

It's worse when you're a girl, then it's not just your ass getting spritzed, it's ALL OF THE IMPORTANT PARTS.

I have the flush-leap down to an art.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

And, you have to deal with them more often, too. :(

[lintra.livejournal.com]

^^^^ This.

I am also one of the people who blocks them with post-its.

[elizilla]

Not only do I hate them, I cannot understand who could possibly choose them. Do they never actually go to the bathroom?

It's not like they are saving any water - the continuous flushing has to cost a fortune. If they want to get clever, why not automate the toilet so it will flush when the door is opened?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I think it is the false "sanitary" reason I gave -- you don't have to actually touch anything to flush the toilet.

And, maybe secondarily, the toilet will be flushed each time, so you never have to walk into a stall with an unflushed dump in it or something gross like that.

And, no, not going to save any water, but in fact, as you say, use more.

Hm... link to the door would make more sense, if you have to have auto-flush.

[beable]

Yeah, except you often DO, because people who use the toilet and don't have the auto-flush kick in then just leave the mess for the next person because they don't give a crap about the fact that the sensor can be triggered manually.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

And, you know, I'd rather just do a pre-flush before sitting in a case like that, if I have to.

And, a door-activated flush would also solve that problem... though you might get a double-flush. Hm.

[beable]

Oh yeah, in theory the door-based activation would solve the problem.

When I do get greeted with the stall like that,I always pre-flush if it's anything but urine.

[elizilla]

Also, if someone doesn't stand up to wipe, their hand gets sprayed, but if they do stand up to wipe, then the toilet flushes before they put the toilet paper in it. Either way the toilet paper ends up in the toilet waiting for the manual flush, or for the next person.

I think the person who designed them, has never actually peed, and they want everyone else to be as unhappy as they are.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Hm... door-activated flush does have the double-flush issue, flush on exit and on entrance. Should be solvable, though.

[elizilla]

Flush when the deadbolt latch is unlatched.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that works. Now, where do you patent/sell this idea? ;)

[sabotabby]

I don't think anyone likes auto-flush toilets. They're possibly the least useful invention ever. It's easy enough to flush yourself and they always do far worse a job of it than you would.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

And yet, they seem to proliferate all over the place. Someone, somewhere must think they are a good idea.

[http://users.livejournal.com/niall_/]

We're getting all of ours replaced with steel stalls and counters and everything automatic. Meaning there won't be cold water for teeth brushing - there's no faucet temperature control. That's very minor compared to the water waste of the auto flush.

I'll keep in mind the post-it solution. Had never heard of it before.