Day after day, flush after flush, countless gallons of water pass through your toilet, eventually eroding the rubber seals, flushing mechanism, and even the porcelain bowl. Toilets have a long life span, so a repair is usually enough to get things functioning properly. However, if your toilet is a few decades old and displaying signs of extensive damage, a replacement may be best. Here are eight hints that you need a new toilet.
Persist Clogging.
No one likes seeing a backed up or clogged toilet, but this is one of the most frequent predicaments a toilet can have. The periodic 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 learned to flush twice as a clog-prevention technique, resulting in higher water usage bills. Be assured knowing that contemporary low-flow toilets hardly ever suffer from random stoppages. The peace of mind of a dependable toilet could motivate you to replace it.
Cracks and Leaks
If you notice water pooling around the toilet, don't wait to act. Neglecting this issue could result in mold growth, decayed subflooring and other structural damage. A leaky toilet is often relatively easy to fix. It may be as simple as tightening the tee bolts that attach the product to the floor or swapping out the wax ring beneath the toilet base. On the other hand, if the leak is due to a cracked bowl or tank, the only option is to replace the toilet.
High Water Consumption
Low-flow toilets have been commonly used in homes since the early 90s, but your aging toilet could easily predate the Energy Policy Act of 1992. That policy is when the gallon-per-flush (gpf) cap for residential toilets was lowered to 1.6 gpf. Therefore, you could significantly lower your water bills by replacing your old 3- to 5-gpf toilet with a new 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 remove 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 condition stems from loose tee bolts or a compromised wax ring, you may be able to take care of the problem without changing the toilet. Although, if the subfloor is decayed and moving beneath the toilet’s weight, this should have professional attention. After repairing the structural damage, it may perhaps be necessary to replace the toilet to stop a recurrence.
Increased Mineral Buildup
Hard water can create problems for your toilet, because the water contains minerals that clog the inlet holes and siphon tubes as time goes by. If you keep up with preventive maintenance, you can likely 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 accumulation gets bad enough, your toilet may not 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 exchanging a worn-out flapper valve is simple and inexpensive. But if the leak always comes back, there might be a bigger underlying problem. This might be the most sensible 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 merit replacing your toilet.
Many Repairs
Toilets are straightforward mechanisms that should function smoothly without much attention. If you end up calling the plumber routinely to fix clogs, leaks and broken tank parts, it's time to make a switch. Put your money toward a new, reliable toilet, and you won’t have to worry about repairs for many years.
Schedule Toilet Repair or Replacement
It can't hurt to attempt a toilet repair before traveling the route of a whole-new toilet. The well- trained plumbers at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning will look over your bathroom fixture thoroughly and recommend the most cost-effective option. Remember, replacing your old, worn-out toilet with a high-efficiency model helps lower 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 excellent performance going forward. For more information or to schedule a visit from a qualified plumber, please contact a Service Experts office near you.