Knowing what you can flush and what you can’t down the toilet is a good start to avoiding a blocked toilet – one of the most common plumbing problems.
But even if you practise this good habit and clean your toilet frequently, you can’t expect your toilet to last forever. There will come a time when you will have to replace your toilet before or during a bathroom renovation project.
But, how do you know when you need to replace your toilet? If you see one or more of these signs, it would be best to call your plumber immediately:
If you never flush anything in your toilet except that which is allowed but it still needs plunging more than once a week, it may be time to think about replacing this bathroom fixture.
This is especially true if your toilet is already old. Many of the older models require more than one flush to get rid of solid waste. These toilets are also prone to frequent blockages as well.
If you’re tired of using the plunger to get your toilet working properly again, you may want to start talking to your plumber about replacing it.
A crack, even the smallest one, on the tank or bowl of a toilet, can get worse over time. These cracks will cause slow water leaks that can turn into a flood of water if you don’t have the fixture repaired or replaced as soon as possible. And in addition to having to deal with constant puddles of water in the bathroom, you will have to deal with a mould problem soon as well.
To prevent this problem from becoming a full-blown crisis, check your tank and bowl for any cracks when you clean the toilet. In case you spot one, it would be best to replace the toilet before it breaks completely.
But if the crack is in the toilet bowl, don’t make the decision to replace the toilet immediately; keep an eye out for leaking water whenever you flush first. If there is a leak, you will save water and protect your bathroom floor from damage if you have the toilet replaced as soon as possible.
Scrubbing the toilet is a must if you want to keep it hygienic and sparklingly clean.
However, frequent scrubbing and using harsh chemicals can cause this porcelain fixture to get scratches and look really worn out. The whole fixture can even get stains from rusty water as well.
These scratches and stains will even become more noticeable over time. If you frequently clean your toilet tank and bowl but can’t seem to keep it completely spotless, it may be time to buy a new fixture and save yourself the extra effort of maintaining the old one.
As already mentioned, many of the older models need more than one flush to get rid of solid waste completely. Think of all the water you’re wasting every time you and the other family members flush twice which will be reflected in your monthly water bill.
If you want to have lower monthly water bills, consider getting a low-flush toilet. This type of toilet uses six litres of water for a full flush which is considerably less than the usual 11-litre flush toilets.
By switching to a low-flush toilet, you will spend less on your water bills and, at the same time, help the environment with the water you save.
Even if your toilet is still working properly, if it looks old, consider getting a new one.
This also means you have to replace it even if it completely functional during your bathroom renovation project. If you don’t, you will have a toilet that looks out of place in your bathroom.
Keep in mind that newer models are more comfortable than older ones since they come in different heights and shapes. They come with other features as well. As such, you stand to gain more if you choose to invest in a new toilet.
Lastly, frequently fixing water leaks, removing blockages, and replacing small parts such as the handle and flapper can be exhausting. If you keep calling a plumber to do all these things, your expenses will add up over time as well.
Although replacing your toilet requires a bigger expense upfront, you will still save a lot of money in the long run. And with a new fixture, you won’t have to worry about anything needing any repair or replacing soon.
Even if the toilet is one of the strongest fixtures you have in the bathroom, keep in mind that it won’t last forever. Take note of the signs above and how often they happen.
If your toilet is giving more trouble than it’s worth, call your plumber in Richmond ASAP, and ask for his or her advice on replacing this fixture.
To get help with replacing an old toilet and other plumbing problems, get in touch with us here at Diamond Plumbing via our Contact Us page.