How do you know when it is time to replace your home’s toilet? As a plumbing business that offers residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services, it’s safe to say that we deal with toilet-related projects repeatedly throughout the year. Whether that be repairing existing toilets, installing new ones or anything else, the toilet is definitely a great example of a plumbing fixture that you need working on a daily basis. In this week’s blog post, we’ll discuss a handful of situations where you might be prompted to have a new one installed, in addition to ones that can be easily repaired. As can be said about any other plumbing fixture, none of them are built to last forever (especially given the wear and tear they experience) and it can definitely be useful to know the signs of a failing plumbing fixture.
Before getting into the signs of when a new toilet is needed, we would first like to say hello to anyone stopping by our blog for the first time. Stine-Nichols Plumbing is a plumbing business that provides plumbing solutions all throughout the Kansas City area. Bathroom rough-ins, water heater installations, drain cleaning, you name it and we have you covered! To request a free estimate, you’re more than welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 and a member of our team will be able to help you out.
Knowing the Difference Between a Small Repair and a Major One
For the sake of this blog post, we’re going to classify a major repair as having to replace the toilet altogether. After all, that would signal that there is nothing capable of being done to fix the existing toilet. I wanted to put this section first because there are a number of smaller plumbing repairs that may pop up from time-to-time and they don’t always require a new toilet installation. What are some examples of this?
Running Toilet – One that many people have likely experienced is the running toilet. While it wouldn’t be categorized as an emergency either, that doesn’t mean you want to let the running toilet issue sit unfixed forever. Luckily, it can generally be fixed relatively quickly (and inexpensively), which is good to know! Fixing it may require a little knowledge of the anatomy of a toilet, but that doesn’t mean it will come at a high price tag. In some cases, it can simply be fixed by replacing the flapper, which serves as the seal between the toilet tank and bowl. Other potential causes of a running toilet include issues with the float or fill valve.
Clogged Toilet – Speaking of common toilet problems that many have experience with, another example of this would be a clogged toilet. While there can definitely be variances in terms of the severity of the clog, the one thing to remember here is the importance of knowing what can and can’t be flushed down the toilet. Following this simple guideline can go a long way in preventing clogged toilets in the future!
Loose Toilet – One final “small” toilet repair that won’t necessarily require a new toilet installation would be a loose toilet that seems to move slightly. This one might require a little troubleshooting (like with the running toilet), but a couple of potential solutions could involve adding shims or tightening down the bolts.
All in all, given that there are several pieces that go into the operation of a toilet, there are more than a few potential toilet problems that can arise over time!
When Will You Need to Replace Your Toilet?
Now that you’re familiar with some of the smaller toilet repairs, the next question we’ll tackle is deciding when it is time to replace the toilet altogether. As always, it’s also never a bad idea to lean on the expertise of your local plumbing company if you’re unsure of whether or not you need a new toilet installation.
Repeated Issues – Especially if you’re hiring a business to complete the repairs, having numerous repairs on the same fixture can add up quickly from a financial perspective. That is why it never hurts to compare the cost of another repair versus a complete replacement. If you find your toilet continues to experience issues, then it may be time to consider having a new one installed. Likewise, it’s important to also note that the repeated issues could be a result of the toilet being old and having experienced years of use. How long do toilets typically last? Truth be told, that is a tough question to answer as you may see estimates ranging from 10 years all the way up to 50 years. Nonetheless, having a new one installed can certainly be a worthwhile investment.
Leaking and/or Cracked Toilet – Unsurprisingly, water leaks of any severity can be quite troublesome. After all, just think about how much of a toll can be caused by water damage! Having said that, there are a wide variety of leaks with toilets. A running toilet is even an example of a leak, as water is leaking into the bowl from the tank (usually by means of a faulty flapper). In terms of “major” repairs, there are leaks that would result in you having to replace the toilet altogether. If there is ever a crack in the toilet tank or bowl, it would probably be a good idea to simply replace it.
Modernize the Space – While each of the items above will likely force you to replace your toilet, we also wanted to mention there are times when you want to have a new toilet installed (even if your existing one is still working). An obvious situation for this would be if you’re making some renovations to your bathroom and would like a new toilet to continue the modernization efforts. Keep in mind that this could include upgrading from a standard toilet to a smart toilet. Another reason why you may choose to replace your toilet would be for performance or efficiency purposes. Over time, toilets have improved from an efficiency standpoint based on how much water is used per flush. If this is something you’re interested in, depending on your existing toilet, you may be able to find an option with the ability to operate more efficiently.
In the end, there are certainly more than a few scenarios that could result in you having to replace your toilet, both out of necessity and simply to add a modern touch to the space.
New Toilet Installation Services in Kansas City
As shown in this week’s blog post, there are a wide variety of possible toilet issues that you may encounter as a homeowner or managing a commercial facility. Furthermore, these potential problems vary significantly in terms of severity. Some of them can be fixed relatively easily, while others might require you to have a new one installed! In any case, if you’re unsure of whether or not a new toilet installation is needed, it never hurts to reach out to your local plumbing professional and get their opinion. Toilets are obviously something that any plumbing company works on plenty of times throughout the year, so they should be the perfect resource for troubleshooting any issues!
Need a toilet installed/repaired in Kansas City or any of the surrounding cities? If so, we’re here to lend a hand! No matter if it’s simply a small repair or a complete replacement, our plumbing professionals have the experience necessary to get the job done! Simply give us a call at (816) 348-3481 to request a free estimate.