Toilets are undoubtedly something that residential, commercial and new construction plumbing companies work with numerous times throughout the year. Whether that be roughing-in a new toilet, making repairs to an existing one or even just replacing an older one that’s due for an upgrade, there are more than a few potential plumbing projects. That methodology is no different with our team at Stine-Nichols Plumbing. With that being the case, wouldn’t it make sense to discuss a few toilet tips from time-to-time here on the blog? After all, it’s a plumbing component you absolutely need working, but also one that can experience issues every now and then. Granted, while toilet shopping isn’t necessarily as fun as picking out new faucets, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few factors worth considering prior to purchasing a new one!
If this is your first time visiting our plumbing blog, welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! As a plumbing business that offers residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services, our goal has always been to be a one-stop shop for reliable plumbing services. Water heaters, toilets, faucets, water softeners, sump pumps, sewer lines, you name it! Likewise, here on our blog, we like to provide plumbing advice and tips that any homeowner can implement. Whether that’s in regards to maintaining your water heater, picking out the perfect faucet for your bathroom or anything else, there’s definitely no shortage of plumbing topics to discuss! As briefly mentioned at the beginning of this blog, this week we will be diving deeper into an important plumbing fixture and that is the toilet. Like several other fixtures, you need your toilets working on a daily basis. We’ll discuss a few topics related to them and hopefully help you gain a better understanding of their inner-workings!
Toilets have improved significantly over the years.
One thing we often discuss on our blog is how much various plumbing fixtures have improved over the years. After all, in today’s world, homeowners can purchase voice-activated faucets, water heaters that can be controlled from your smartphone and plenty of other cool plumbing fixtures. Furthermore, not only are there several interesting plumbing fixtures, but also the products have gotten increasingly more efficient over the years. This is a major reason why the term “low-flow” has become so popular. Fixtures are able to use significantly less water than prior models while still providing the same experience for the end-user. A win-win for everyone involved!
So…you might ask, how do these efficiency improvements look for toilets? Well first, let’s rewind the clock back a little bit. Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, it wasn’t uncommon for a toilet to use 3, 4, 5 or possibly even more gallons of water per flush. When you think about how many times a toilet is flushed in a given day, that can add up fairly quickly! Now, the reason why I mention the 70’s and 80’s is because of the 1992 Energy Policy Act that set a maximum amount of water to be used per flush at 1.6 gallons. Not to mention, several plumbing fixture brands have been able to go even lower than that! Long story short, the difference between the two is substantial.
Without a doubt, a new toilet is going to be more efficient than older ones. However, when I say toilets have improved significantly over the years, that extends further than just efficiency. Just as I mentioned there’s cool new features with faucets and water heaters, the same can be said about toilets. In particular, I’m referencing the smart toilets that have been hitting the market. Heated seats and automatic opening/closing are just a couple of the unique features available. While a smart toilet is definitely more of a “luxury” as opposed to a “necessity” and will come at a higher price tag, there’s no denying that you’ll notice a significant upgrade over your standard toilet.
Tired of dealing with constant issues on the existing toilet?
Plumbing fixtures aren’t built to last forever. We’ve mentioned this before on prior blog posts as well. Yes, there are several variables that will have an impact on just how long a particular fixture lasts, but eventually they will all need to be replaced. Not to mention, as evidenced above, chances are there will likely be cool new options to hit the market too. Having said all of that, given the wear and tear toilets endure over the years, you’ll inevitably hit a point where you’ll have to decide whether it makes more sense to repair the existing toilet or simply invest in having a new one installed. It’s definitely difficult to put an exact number of years on how long a toilet will last, as there’s numerous factors that will dictate the actual lifespan. With that in mind, it’s often best to look at these on a case-by-case basis.
Do you feel like you’re constantly having to replace parts for the toilet? It’s one thing if you’re able to make these repairs on your own, but if you’re having to hire a local plumbing company each time, the expenses can add up in a hurry! Keep in mind that some of these repairs can be relatively minor, such as replacing a flapper, but it can certainly be time-consuming and chances are you don’t want to be spending your weekends working on toilets, right?
Long story short, constant repairs and various other issues are typically signs of a toilet that’s seen its better days. If you’re tired of having to spend money on repairs, it may make more sense from a financial standpoint to just replace the toilet altogether. It’s definitely not a huge investment and will likely be one that you’ll be glad you made!
Appearance.
With something like a faucet, it’s safe to say many homeowners might put a little more time and effort into the aesthetic appearance of potential options. Whether that be the finish, style, design or anything else, it’s not hard to see why this would be the case. Given that this blog has been centered around toilets, it’s worth mentioning how a toilet’s appearance comes into play. Even with regular cleaning and maintenance, toilets can start to show some blemishes after years of wear and tear. Unfortunately, this is sometimes just inevitable. With that in mind, if you’re starting to notice your toilet isn’t looking the best, it may make sense to simply have a new one installed. In addition, while there are different styles to pick from for your new one too, there’s also nothing wrong with just going with a basic white toilet that has some shine to it!
Toilet Installation and Repair Services in Kansas City
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, it goes without saying that our plumbers get plenty of experience in working with toilets. No matter if that be in regards to repairs or new installations, we’re always here to help with your toilet-related projects. Throughout this week’s blog post, we covered a handful of different items that may factor into your decision in choosing whether or not to replace your toilet. We hope you find some useful pieces of toilet knowledge in this blog and feel more confident in evaluating the current state of your home’s toilets. If you ever need some help with a toilet project or any other plumbing job, don’t hesitate to give our team a call at (816) 348-3481.