When Is It Time to Replace Your Toilet?

Bathrooms are a sacred space. We spend a good chunk of time using various bathroom appliances, the toilet being one of the most important. Toilets are designed to withstand a couple decades worth of daily use. However, like most appliances, toilets typically have a lifespan that determines how long they work well. 

A troublesome toilet is not only annoying, but can lead to higher water bills and frequent calls to the plumber. Continue reading to determine when it may be time to replace a tricky toilet, and how you can keep your bathroom a stress-free sanctuary. 

The Age of the Toilet

Even if your ancient toilet is working well, toilets older than 30 years old should be replaced because they use nearly triple the amount of water it takes to flush than newer toilet models. 

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set guidelines to lessen the amount of water toilets use per flush from an average of 4.25 gallons to 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Replacing a toilet that is decades old is not only more environmentally friendly, it also saves you gallons of water which ultimately results in a lower water bill. 

The Clogging Issue

Is reaching for the plunger a commonplace practice in your bathroom? You may not think twice about using a plunger to unclog your toilet, but if you’re doing it often, it’s a red flag that your toilet isn’t up to par with how it should be working. 

Not only should you not have to strain to get your toilet to flush properly, but over plunging your toilet will often break the seal between the toilet and the flange, which can cause it to flood your bathroom. 

Constant clogging is one of the most obvious indicators that it’s time to replace your toilet with a new one. New, high-quality toilets will flush with little effort and require no plunging at all, making your time on the porcelain throne more efficient and comfortable.

Cracked and Leaking Commodes

Cracked toilets are pretty common, but not always easy to spot. If you notice puddles of water around your toilet, you may have a cracked commode. A cracked tank or base causes your toilet to leak, wasting water that can damage your floor and cause mildew and mold to grow behind and around the base of your toilet. Extreme cracks can even lead to a flooded bathroom. 

One way to spot a crack is to put food coloring or dye in the bowl of the toilet and flush;  you know there’s a crack if the dyed water makes it to your floor. You can try to repair or seal the crack, but the best thing to do is have a plumber inspect the situation and replace the unit.

The Slow Flush

Have you ever experienced the panic of being at a new friend’s house, using their bathroom for the first time and holding the lever down while the flush seemingly swirls forever but never disappears? 

A toilet that flushes slowly, or only flushes when you have to hold the lever for multiple seconds, typically means that the toilet is old and failing. Don’t put your friends and guests in a state of panic when they use your bathroom; update your toilet for a stress-free experience.

An Always Running Toilet

Finally, it’s likely time to upgrade your toilet if it constantly runs. Your toilet bowl should fill up after each flush, but if you notice the irritating sound of water continuing to run for long periods of time, this often means that parts inside the tank aren’t performing correctly. 

When components like the fill valve or the flapper aren’t working how they should, your toilet wastes water and your water bill can increase. Replacing your toilet is a good option to save water, money and yourself from the annoying sound of a noisy toilet.

Now You Know

Hopefully now you feel confident identifying if and when it’s time to upgrade your porcelain throne. If you find your toilet leaking, running or being generally unruly, contact Lenox Plumbing today! We’ll help you keep your commode in tiptop shape.