Day after day, flush after flush, hundreds of gallons of water flow through your toilet, slowly wearing out the rubber seals, flushing mechanism, and even the toilet bowl itself. Toilets have a long life span, so a repair is normally enough to get things back up and running. Nevertheless, if your toilet is several decades old and showing signs of serious damage, it might be best to just replace it with a new one. Here are eight signals that you need a new toilet.
Frequent Clogging.
No one likes seeing a backed up or clogged toilet, but this is one of the most common issues a toilet can have. The occasional clog is to be expected, but if you have an older low-flow toilet, you might end up having to plunge it more than once a week. You may even have to flush more than once as a clog-prevention routine, which eliminates any savings you should have realized on your monthly water bill. Feel comfortable that contemporary low-flow toilets hardly ever suffer from random stoppages. The promise of a dependable toilet could motivate you to replace it.
Cracks and Leaks
When you see water pooling around the toilet, take action quickly. Neglecting this situation could cause mold growth, decayed subflooring and other structural damage. A leaky toilet is often relatively easy to fix. It may involve tightening the tee bolts that attach the fixture to the floor or replacing the wax ring underneath the toilet base. However, if the leak is caused by a cracked bowl or tank, the entire toilet will need to be replaced.
High Water Consumption
Low-flow toilets have been a mainstay since the early 90s, but your dated toilet could easily predate the Energy Policy Act of 1992. That legislation is when the gallon-per-flush (gpf) cap for residential toilets was reduced to 1.6 gpf. Doing so could notably lower your water consumption inside your home by replacing your old 3- to 5-gpf toilet with a modern low-flow model. The best high-efficiency, dual-flush toilets use an average of 1.28 gpf–1.6 gallons for the solid waste button and just 0.8 gallons to get rid of liquid waste.
Wobbly Base
Even if your toilet is not very old, a wobbly base is a scenario that should be addressed quickly. If the concern stems from loose tee bolts or a compromised wax ring, you may be able to cure the problem without swapping out the toilet. But bear in mind, if the subfloor is rotten and moving beneath the toilet’s weight, this requires professional attention. After repairing the structural damage, it might be necessary to replace the toilet to stop a recurrence.
Significant Mineral Buildup
Toilets are at the mercy of hard water, which contains minerals that clog the inlet holes and siphon tubes over time. If you keep up with preventive maintenance, you should be able to keep mineral buildup under control. If you're a DIY kind of person, you can help your toilet clear away some existing deposits by carefully chipping away at them. But if the mineral deposit density gets bad enough, your toilet may no longer flush effectively, making it more prone to clogs. When this happens, treat it as a sign to replace your toilet.
Leaky Tank
Simple leaks are usually best addressed with a repair, rather than buying a new toilet. In the end, adjusting a stuck float or swapping out a worn-out flapper valve is simple and low-cost. But if the leak always comes back, there might be a larger underlying problem. This may be the logical time to replace your old, outdated toilet.
Poor Aesthetics
Among the top reasons people replace their toilets is that the bowl no longer looks nice; it may have scratches or the color is outdated. Unpleasant aesthetics combined with leaks, frequent clogs or other problems certainly justify replacing your toilet.
Numerous Repairs
Toilets are straightforward mechanisms that should operate smoothly without worry. If you find yourself calling the plumber repeatedly to take care of clogs, leaks and damaged tank parts, it might be time to stop throwing away good money. Put your dollars toward a new, reliable toilet, and you will not have to fret about repairs for several years.
Schedule Toilet Repair or Replacement
It can't hurt to try a toilet repair before spending money on a whole-new toilet. The well- trained plumbers at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning will inspect your bathroom fixture thoroughly and recommend the most cost-effective solution. Remember, replacing your old, worn-out toilet with a high-efficiency model helps reduce your water bills for plenty of years to come. If you choose to replace, our team can help you select and install your new toilet for optimal performance going forward. For more information or to set up a visit from a qualified plumber, please connect with a Service Experts office near you.