You go to flush the toilet and it clogs up, again. This is about the third time this week. Looks like it’s time to call someone out for another de-clog.
But instead of repairing it, you should consider replacing it. Every appliance has an expiration date, and your toilet is no exception. Once it’s reached a certain age, the repairs are only going to get more frequent.
So, how long do toilets last? Check out this guide to see all the signs that your toilet is wearing out on you.
Your Toilet is Clogging Several Time a Week
Clogged toilets are annoying, but they aren’t that big of a deal unless they’re happening more than once or twice a week. Sometimes clogs can be caused by someone flushing something random down the toilet, but if the overflowing water seems frequent enough, then that’s a problem. The parts of the toilet in charge of flushing have likely worn out, and your toilet may need to be replaced.
Cracks
You walk into the bathroom and almost slip on a puddle that’s formed around the toilet. If you clean it up and almost slip on the same puddle later, then you may have a crack or a leak.
To tell if it’s a crack, put a bit of dye in the water. If you see the color on the floor later, then that means you have a crack, and a total toilet replacement is due. If you leave the problem alone, it will lead to expensive mold build-up and floor damage.
You’re Having it Repaired too Often
Do you feel like you’re having a repairman come out every other week for repairs? You might be better off getting it replaced. The expense may not seem that bad for the first few months of this song and dance, but the price can stack up.
The same can be said if your toilet requires a bunch of expensive repairs all at once. It could be cheaper for your wallet to get a new one.
It Wobbles
Sitting on a toilet shouldn’t offer the same challenge as riding a mechanical bull. Excessive wobbling and rocking aren’t normal at all. Fixing it could be as simple as having a repairman come out to tighten the bolts up a little.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, that means you have a bigger issue on your hands. The floor underneath the toilet may be rotting due to a water leak. If this is the case, you’ll have to get the floor fixed and trade up for a new toilet.
The Toilet Runs Even When it Hasn’t Been Flushed
You haven’t flushed the toilet in hours, but you can still hear it running. You might be able to get rid of your problem by taking the lid off the back of the toilet and jostling the flapper valve.
If that doesn’t work, then your only alternative is to call a plumber. They’ll be able to tell you if the problem can be fixed, or if you need to purchase a new toilet.
Surface Damage
Cosmetic reasons are a good a reason as any to replace your toilet. If it has a bunch of scratches on the surface it’s not going to be easy to clean.
No matter how hard you scrub, you’re not going to be able to get rid of all the grime. That’s not too appealing to guests.
It Refuses to Refill
If your toilet refuses to refill when it’s flushed then that means there’s a problem with your fill valve. Any experienced plumber will be able to replace the valve with no problem.
If replacing the valve doesn’t fix your refill issue, then getting a new toilet may be the answer.
Rust and Corrostion
As the toilet ages, you can expect to see a little bit of rust and corrosion on it. The good news is that you can replace the parts of the toilet that’s rusted instead of getting rid of the entire thing.
Unless the whole toilet is covered in corrosion. Then there’s no way of saving it. You’ll have to get a new one.
Flushing Problems
You try to flush your toilet, but it refuses to do the job. A professional will have the parts and experience to fix the mechanism that’s causing the problem. If it still won’t flush or has a weak flush, you’ll need to trade it in for a new toilet.
Is Your Toilet on it’s Last Leg?
If your toilet is refusing to flush, or it’s covered in corrosion and rust, it may be time for you to replace it. While sometimes it can be salvaged with a few repairs, if your toilet is old it might be on its last leg.
How Long Do Toilets Last?
When your toilet starts to show issues, stop and think about how old it is. While there’s no exact age limit on a toilet, if it’s a decade or older, it may start acting up.
Even if it’s not being a cranky old toilet, you may save money on your water bill by replacing it. New toilets use up fewer gallons of water per flush compared to ones that were made before 1994.
Is it time for you to get a new toilet? Contact us to request toilet repair or service. We look forward to handling your plumbing needs.