Is It Time to Replace My Toilet?

With careful maintenance, toilets can last decades. Over time, you may decide that you need something new. Here are a few ways to know if you can reasonably get your toilet repaired, or if it is time to replace it.

The Toilet Is Old

Since your toilets are designed to last so long, you might think there is no reason to replace them while everything seems to be working acceptably. However, you might be missing out on greater efficiency, as well as some interesting innovations in toilets from the past several years. Old toilets, especially those that are decades old, may use gallons more per flush than more efficient models. When you consider replacing some other fixtures or the flooring in your bathroom, you might also think of updating your toilet as well. If you have to uninstall the toilet to put something else in the bathroom, adding a new one does not generate much more work.

It Has Serious Leaks

Any toilet could leak from time to time, but leaks are not reasons to replace by definition. For example, a toilet that leaks to the floor might just need the bolts or supply valve tightened. A cracked or warped valve may be easily replaced for far less than the cost of a toilet. However, if you have leaks due to cracks in the tank itself or the bowl, you could have a more serious problem. Components can be replaced, but fixing a cracked tank may be more expensive than buying new.

Nothing Resolves the Clogs

If you are a responsible homeowner, you probably already know that you should not flush anything in the bowl besides toilet paper and human waste. This means that you leave food, hair combings and other paper products for the bathroom garbage can instead of flushing it down. You can still get a clog sometimes, even with careful flushing practices. When you observe that you are dealing with regular clogs that require you to call a Sacramento plumber on occasion, you may be better off replacing the toilet.

Repair Bills Rise Too High

Most components of a toilet can be repaired or replaced. Some of them cost only a few dollars and take a very short time to install, saving you time and money. However, there are times when the repair requirements are simply too high to outweigh the benefit of buying a new toilet. If the necessary replacement parts exceed more than half the cost of a new toilet, and your toilet is at least several years old, you should make a plan to replace it.
Buying a new toilet can be a little confusing, especially if you are unsure as to whether or not you could repair it for a much lower cost. New toilets are not always necessary, but they can be an efficient addition to your household routine. To learn more about toilets and other facets of your home’s fixtures, contact Ace Plumbing for expert guidance.