Is It Time to Replace Your Bathroom’s Toilet?
Toilets are bathroom fixtures that homeowners make a point of cleaning and maintaining on a regular basis, but how do you know when it’s time to replace your current one for something new? Unfortunately, toilets aren’t designed to last forever, and a toilet that isn’t functioning well can compromise your plumbing system and drive up your water bills.
In this article, we’re discussing how to know if it’s time to replace your toilet or whether a simple repair will get it working properly again with minimal time and expense.
The Average Lifespan of a Toilet
Some plumbers will tell you that a high-quality toilet should last you about 50 years. However, the Energy Policy Act signed into federal law in the early 1990s requires homeowners to have toilets with a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush to conserve water. If a toilet has been in your home since at least the 1980s without any upgrades, chances are that it uses about 3.5 gallons of water per flush. These days, many plumbing experts recommend replacing toilets about every 15 to 20 years.
When a Toilet Repair Will Do Just Fine
There are quite a few different things that can go wrong with a toilet, but fortunately, many of these things are simple repairs that you can do yourself. These fixes include occasional clogs or having a bad fill valve that lets water in from the plumbing pipe. Basic clogs can often be fixed with a plunger, and a new fill valve can be purchased for about $10 and installed by an amateur DIY enthusiast. You can also clean the jets around the toilet bowl by hand to increase the toilet’s flushing power.
Situations That Require Toilet Replacement
Beyond these simple repairs, there are certain indicators that suggest a new toilet is your best option. For example, it may be time to replace your toilet if you notice cracks in the bowl or tank. These cracks can lead to leaks and major household damage. Toilets that consistently clog on a frequent basis may also need to be replaced. If your toilet repair costs are becoming higher and more frequent, it may be cost-effective to invest in a new unit for long-term savings and less risk of home damage.
Other situations that may warrant toilet replacement include wobbling that can’t be solved by simply tightening a screw, lots of scratches and surface damage that can make toilet cleaning very difficult, and accumulated mineral deposits that become excessive and prevent the effective flow of water.
Advantages of a New Toilet for Your Home
Not only can a new toilet improve the overall look and design of your bathroom, but it can also make your home more eco-friendly and cost-effective. Modern toilets reduce a household’s water consumption, which is good news for both the environment and your wallet. With a new toilet, you will also spend less time on repairs and less time being frustrated with poor functionality. Today’s new toilets come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and styles to help you redefine your bathroom style and feel more comfortable while using this bathroom fixture.
At Central Plumbing Specialties, we have a wide selection of toilets available in our showrooms to offer you. Before you make the trip out to one of our New York showrooms in-person, you can browse our new toilets online and filter by shape, height, width, depth, color, flush type, gallons per flush, handle type, brand, and price. Not every toilet issue requires a replacement, but when it’s time to replace yours, you can trust Central Plumbing Specialties to have exactly what you need.