Beyond surface aesthetics, the durability and functionality of any sanitaryware product are governed by its adherence to stringent technical standards. Making the right choice requires an understanding of these critical quality tests.
At Jaquar, quality is a result of meticulous engineering and testing. We have compiled this guide based on our own internal quality protocols to explain the essential checks that ensure a product's safety, hygiene, and long-term performance.
Surface Quality: Glazing and Finish
The first thing you notice about a basin or water closet is its shine. This glossy finish is the result of glazing, a protective layer that determines the product's lifespan.
Glaze Thickness
A common issue with inferior products is that they lose their lustre quickly. This happens when the glaze layer is too thin. A high-quality product must have a glaze thickness between 0.6 mm and 0.9 mm. This specific thickness ensures the surface is resistant to scratches, stains, and acidic cleaners. This standard ensures that your bathroom fixtures remain glossy and flawless for years.
Glaze Quality
Beyond thickness, the finish must be visually perfect. We also inspect the surface as per IS 2556_1 2021, clause 6.1, which ensures there are no more than five minor colour spots, blisters, or pinholes, with no grouping of defects allowed.
Anti-Bacterial Protection
Hygiene is the priority in any bathroom. Advanced manufacturing allows for anti-bacterial agents to be mixed directly into the glaze slurry. This means the protection is permanent and does not wash away. It ensures hygiene is maintained throughout the life of the product.
Structural Strength: Load and Durability
The structural integrity of sanitaryware is a critical safety parameter, requiring engineering that far exceeds the material's perceived fragility.
Load-Bearing Capacity
One of the most critical tests is the Load Bearing Capacity check. For this, a load of 400 kg is applied to the WC for one full hour. The requirement is strict: there must be no damage or deformation. This ensures user safety and confirms that the product can withstand heavy usage without the risk of breakage.
Water Absorption
Ceramic is naturally porous. To be suitable for bathrooms, it must undergo vitrification. We test for "Water Absorption" to ensure the value does not exceed 0.5%. If sanitaryware absorbs more water than this, it can lead to structural cracks known as crazing. It can also trap moisture, which leads to persistent bad odours.
Hygiene Checks: Internal Glazing and Seals
Beyond the visible finish, several crucial quality checks focus on the internal engineering that prevents leaks and ensures long-term hygiene.
Complete Trap Glazing
The "trap" is the curved internal pipe at the bottom of the toilet. In many budget products, this internal surface is left unglazed, which traps waste and bacteria, leading to poor smells. A vital quality check is "Complete Trap Glaze." This ensures the internal pipe is just as smooth as the exterior. This ensures the effective disposal of waste, keeping your bathroom fresh and eliminating the source of persistent bad odours.
Vacuum Leak Tight Test
Micro-cracks in a ceramic body can cause invisible leaks. To prevent this, premium products undergo a Vacuum Leak Tight test. This involves testing the unit with air at a high pressure of 4 bars. This check ensures there is absolutely no leakage and the ceramic body is perfectly sealed.
Flushing Performance: Efficiency and Power
A toilet must flush effectively every single time. We define effectiveness through specific standardised tests.
Water Consumption
Modern fixtures must balance power with efficiency. Our WCs adhere to a 3/6 Ltr Per Flush standard, featuring a dual-flush system that uses a 3-litre half flush for liquid waste and a 6-litre full flush for solid waste. This capability is essential for water conservation without compromising performance.
The Saw Dust and Smudge Tests
To ensure the flush covers the whole bowl, we use the Saw Dust Test. Dry sawdust is sprinkled inside, and a single flush must clean it all. This includes the area just below the rim. We also perform a Smudge Test using quartz powder to ensure no residue sticks to the bowl.
Ball and Paper Tests
Clogging is a major concern. To ensure clog-free performance, Jaquar sanitary products undergo the Single Ball and 100 Ball tests. These involve flushing solid balls through the trap to verify they pass smoothly. We also conduct a Toilet Paper Test, where multiple pieces of paper must be discharged in a single flush. These tests prove that the hydraulic design is efficient.
Comfort and Fittings
As the primary point of interaction, the quality of our Jaquar commode seat is paramount in defining user comfort.
Soft Open and Close
Our premium Jaquar commode seat features a "Soft Open & Close" mechanism, preventing noise and any damage to the ceramic. To guarantee durability, this mechanism undergoes a Life Cycle Test of 100,000 cycles. This ensures the movement remains smooth for years.
Material Quality
The seat material is equally important. We recommend seats made from Urea Formaldehyde or Thermosetting Plastic. Unlike cheap plastics that turn yellow, these materials are hard, scratch-resistant, and chemically stable. The hinges used to attach our Jaquar commode seat are made of SS 304 grade stainless steel to prevent rust in the humid bathroom environment.
The Stain Resistance Check
Finally, there is the Ink Test. This is the ultimate proof of surface quality. A strong dye like Methylene Blue is applied to the surface. After wiping it off, there should be zero trace left. This proves the surface is non-porous and will remain easy to clean.
Conclusion
Selecting the right bathroom fixtures requires an understanding of the technical specifications that determine true value. By knowing these critical benchmarks, from the 400 kg load capacity to the 0.6 mm glaze thickness, you can make an informed investment.
At Jaquar, we are committed to engineering sanitaryware that exceeds these rigorous standards. Our meticulous approach to testing ensures every product delivers a seamless, hygienic, and durable experience for years to come.
FAQs
A glaze thickness of 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm ensures the surface is resistant to scratches, stains, and acids. It protects the ceramic body and keeps the product looking glossy for a long time.
Quality wall-hung toilets are extremely sturdy. They undergo a load-bearing test where they must support over 400 kg for an hour without any damage.
This means the internal pipe of the toilet is glazed like the outer surface. A smooth internal surface prevents waste from sticking and eliminates bad odours.
Premium sanitaryware is vitrified, which means it has a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%. This prevents the ceramic from cracking and stops foul smells from developing.
We use tests like the Saw Dust Test and the Ball Test. These ensure that the flush cleans the entire bowl and that waste passes through the trap without clogging.