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When is it Time to Replace the Toilet

Posted On: February 23, 2017
white toilet flush bathroom

The question of replacing a toilet is not a simple one. Toilets are designed to last for many years, so knowing when to replace takes asking good questions.

Do repairs cost more than a replacement?

If you’re finding you need to make constant repairs, you may see the cost for all those replacement parts adding up to the price of a new fixture. If that’s the case, then it might be time for a new one.

Do I want to save money on my utilities?

Newer toilets use less water to get the job done. Advances in plumbing and a law that requires toilets to use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush have made that possible.

If you have an older toilet, you’ll want to find out when it was manufactured. You can usually find a date stamp under the lid that will tell you. If it was before 1994, your toilet may use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush, which adds up to higher prices on your water and sewer bills.

Are there leaks?

Porcelain is used to make toilets and its designed to stand up to some abuse. Still, cracks can form over time and when they do, that means a possible leak. If you’re seeing cracks in your toilet, that could mean damaging leaks that cause serious damage to the floor underneath and even to ceilings and rooms below if the bathroom is on an upper floor. Repair is a short term possibility, but repaired cracks in porcelain will usually not hold for an extended period.

Does it have a dated look?

Years ago, Avocado or Pink were colors people had in their bathrooms and that included sinks and toilets. Today that look will only make your home look hopelessly outdated. For someone thinking of updating the look of a bathroom, a new toilet can add a modern feel for less than you might think. Since most toilets made in those colors are older than 1994, your water bill will also drop so you get a couple of benefits from this change.

Older toilets also have a round bowl. Newer designs have an elongated bowl, which is easier to clean and helps control odors.

Conclusion

If you find yourself answering yes to any of these questions, then you’ll want to get in touch with us. We offer many choices to consider and can even help install a new toilet for you, if you’d like. Maintaining a modern, safe and efficient home is much easier when you can count on your fixtures to work well and look good doing it.

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