Nothing lasts forever. Not love. Not cold November rain. Not even your toilet. While some toilet issues are easily fixable given ten minutes and a quick trip to the hardware store, others are signs of a more serious issue that warrants a complete replacement. How can the average homeowner tell the difference? Luckily, your local Buda plumber has put together some guidelines so you know when to spend the dough on a brand new bowl.
Step on a Crack
Many older toilets will develop hairline cracks in the tank or bowl. Over time, these cracks can develop into full-blown leaks. If you spot a crack, pay attention to the floor around your toilet. A puddle of water is an obvious sign that the toilet is leaking, but some leaks can be harder to spot. Is the flooring visibly damaged, or does the floor have a spongy feel to it? If so, you might be dealing with mildew or rot. Get your residential plumber on the scene immediately to replace the toilet and assess the damage.
Constant Clogging
An occasional need for plunging is to be expected, but dealing with clogs on a weekly basis is unnecessary. Save yourself the time and effort and invest in a more powerful model. If your toilet was built before the 1990s, it’s likely wasting water (and driving up your monthly bill) as well. Toilets from this era generally use around 3 gallons of water per flush, compared to the current standard of 1.6 gallons (some models use even less!). And toilet efficiency has continued to improve over the years, so if you have one of the earlier low-flow models, it’s more prone to clogs and issues than those made more recently. Today’s market also offers a wider variety of options, including dual flush toilets, which use more water to get rid of solid waste and less for liquid, and elongated bowls, which are more comfortable and can cut down on odors. Installing a new toilet can help you save money on your water bill and save yourself the aggravation of dealing with frequent clogs.
Weebles Wobble . . .
But your toilet shouldn’t! A wobbly toilet might just need the bolts that connect it to the floor tightened, or it might be a sign that long term water damage has rotted the floor underneath. If this is the case, you’re probably going to need a major bathroom remodel to replace the floor, so you might as well include a new toilet in your remodel plans.
Repair or Replace?
As mentioned above, some issues are a quick fix, but if it seems like you’re running to the store every other week for a new flapper or fill valve, you might be better off replacing the whole thing. And if more serious repairs have you calling your residential plumber out a couple times a year, ask about the cost of a replacement versus the repair. It might be a better investment and save you money and stress in the long run.
Have further questions about toilet repairs, replacement costs, or the latest developments in toilet technology? Remember, your Buda plumber is just a quick phone call away!