When Should You Replace Your Toilet?

While installing a new toilet can definitely be the best option for a troublesome fixture, it is not necessarily the only solution. When a few repairs will be enough to solve the problem, there is no reason to spend the extra money to buy a new toilet and take the time to install it. The key is knowing when to replace a toilet and when to repair it instead. Here are our top 5 tips for knowing when you need to invest in a new commode.

It needs too many repairs: 

Rebuilding a toilet can include quite a few items in the tank, like its handle, the flapper, flush valve, fill valve, and tank to bowl seal. Some of these repairs can be easily done, but it will cost you money and requires time. Weighing these repair costs versus a new toilet is a smart exercise. If you’re planning on replacing your toilet anytime soon, then save the money on the repair and replace the toilet instead. This will often save you money in the long run, even though it will be a bigger expense upfront.

You’re experiencing excessive clogs:

Many of the older low-flush toilets require more than one flush most of the time. They are also often plagued with random stoppages. It is not pleasant to have to plunge the toilet on a regular basis. In some instances, it can be that the casting of the toilet bowl itself could be faulty creating obstructions within the integrated trap of the bowl. In other cases, there could be something stuck in the trap such as shampoo bottle caps, small toys, toilet paper holders, etc. In determining these issues, a plumber would normally pull the toilet, lay it on its side to examine if there are issues in the trap of the bowl. Either way, the bowl itself can be replaced if needed. If you decide to replace the whole toilet you won’t have to give up the water savings since low flush toilets have come a long way and the new line of water savers work much better.

The tank or bowl is cracked:

You can start with your own inspection to determine if your tank or bowl is, in fact, cracked. Examine both the inside and outside of the tank and bowl. Sometimes, a leak on the floor around the base of the toilet could mean that there is a crack in the tank or bowl that has gone unnoticed. Whether the tank or bowl has a crack that has gone unnoticed the option to replace either is available and in some cases could fall under the manufacturers’ warranty. Cracks on the tank or bowl aren’t always visible, especially if you have a hairline crack. If you can’t find a visible crack, a plumber should come in and do a more thorough inspection.

You’ve got a wobbler:

If your toilet wobbles, it may be a simple problem of loose toilet bolts. A plumber can easily tighten the bolts and ensure everything is properly placed. But wobbling can also signify a bigger problem. The Toilet Flange below could be broken or not properly fastened to the subfloor. Also, the floor beneath the toilet may be rotting away or water damaged, so if you notice wobbling, call a professional to check it out.

Your toilet is dated:

According to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, toilets installed after 1994 must have a flush volume of 1.6 gallons per flush. Toilets manufactured before this policy went into effect used between 3.5 to 5 gallons. The bottom line on aging toilets? If you know your toilet is at least 25 years old, consider replacing it.

 There can be several different signs that your toilet needs replacement, but no matter the reason, be sure you have a professional to help you to do the job. Severson Plumbing provides both residential and commercial plumbing service and repair for the entire Central Oregon region including Bend, Redmond, LaPine, Prineville, and Madras. We can replace your toilet efficiently, and we can help you find the right solution to your problem, contact us today, 541-382-3720!