When it comes to home improvements, we recognize that pretty much every appliance needs to be replaced at some point. While good quality appliances can last for decades, everything has a lifespan... yet most people don’t realize that this applies to their plumbing system and toilet too! While the actual bowl of your toilet only really needs to be replaced if it is damaged, the various moving parts of a toilet come with lifespans that range from 5 to 30 years.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Toilet
As with all things, you can generally tell when your toilet or plumbing system needs to be updated because of a dip in performance. If you notice any of these signs, it could be time for a new toilet.
Leaks
If you start to notice puddles of water around the base of your toilet, check for cracks in the porcelain. While small, hairline cracks may not prevent your toilet from functioning, they will only worsen over time. The leaks that they cause is not only wasteful of water, but they can also cause problems with your flooring. Plus, having toilet water all over your floor really isn’t hygienic and replacing a damaged bowl quickly is much easier than replacing an entire toilet and floorboards.
Constant Clogging
Even the newest toilets will clog every now and then, but it’s not necessarily worrying if it’s infrequent and caused by an obvious action or problem. If you find that clogs are random, recurring, and regular, this is a warning sign that there are underlying issues at play. Certainly, it could be a problem that a plumber can fix, but there is also a high chance that your toilet has reached the end of its life.
Instability
If your toilet wobbles, tilts or feels unstable, it’s time to call in an expert. Of course, if it’s just the toilet seat that is unstable, you have no real problem and a simple screw retightening should do the trick. However, if the bowl itself moves or sits at an angle, it could be that unseen leaks have rotted the floorboards. In this case, you will need to replace your toilet and repair the flooring which is costly, but worth it to avoid more serious structural damage.
Problems Flushing
If you find that you are having trouble flushing, that your toilet lacks flushing power, or you need to jiggle the handle to close the valve, it could be time to replace your toilet. A plumber may be able to rectify the issue by replacing a few parts, but inefficient flushing is often a sign that your toilet needs to be replaced.
Frequent Repairs
Every appliance will breakdown every so often, but if your toilet needs frequent repairs, this just like frequent clogging, is a sign that you should consider replacing it. These minor repairs all add up, after all, and while older toilets may still work, they are less efficient than newer models. As a result, it’s often better to replace your toilet once repairs become a regular necessity.
Get Professional Help
If you are experiencing any of these signs, feel free to contact us and one of our certified technicians can help diagnose the issue. It’s important to note that minor issues can lead to major costly problems so it’s crucial to get professional help as soon as possible. Be sure to contact a reputable plumbing company like Rebel Refrigeration to keep your plumbing system running smoothly. Contact us at (702) 766-9436 or email us to schedule an appointment today!