When was the last time you really thought about your toilet? It’s an easy fixture to overlook until complications start piling up.
As a long-serving provider of reliable plumbing services in Lawrence, IN, we at Star Heating, Cooling & Plumbing know when to replace a toilet before it gives you bigger headaches. Learn more about it here.
Is Your Toilet Already Obsolete?
If your setup is at least 25 years old, consider getting an upgrade. The age of toilet fixtures influences their performance, even though they might seem “fine” on the surface.
Toilets installed before 1994 consume up to five gallons per flush. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, newer models now only need 1.6 gallons. That extra water might not seem like much, but over time, it adds up and raises your utility bills unnecessarily.
Today’s toilets come with many helpful features, including:
- Pressure- and gravity-assisted mechanisms for powerful flushing that require less water
- Sleek, space-saving builds
- Quieter operation for a more peaceful home environment
- Innovative coatings to prevent buildup and resist staining
Toilet Replacement Clues You Shouldn’t Ignore in Lawrence
You don’t have to be a plumbing specialist to identify an old, faulty fixture. Watch out for the following red flags:
1. Frequent Clogs
It’s normal for toilets to clog occasionally. Children mischievously flush their toys down the toilet, or someone in your household might use a little too much toilet paper. However, if you have to use your trusty plunger more than once a week, despite being careful, it might signal a deeper issue.
Older toilets in Lawrence tend to clog more frequently due to outdated trap designs and mineral buildup over time. These restrictive passages make it harder for waste to pass through smoothly.
2. Visible Damage
If you want to know when to replace a toilet, always trust your eyes! Inspect the bowl or tank for cracks. Even hairline fractures can quickly worsen when left unchecked.
Covering the damage with epoxy is only a Band-Aid fix, and it may harbor bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. The worst-case scenario is that the entire fixture breaks apart while someone is using it.
Other signs of severe wear include:
- Discoloration or stains that you can’t seem to remove
- Peeling or deteriorating glazing on the porcelain
- Rusting or corrosion on the bolts, flush mechanisms, and other metal components
3. Multiple Repairs in the Past Year
Toilets rely on a network of components to function smoothly, including:
- Tank levers
- Flush valves and chains
- Float balls and arms
- Filler and inlet tubes
- Tank to bowl gaskets
- Floor seals
If you’re constantly needing to tinker with these parts or hire a Lawrence plumber to fix recurrent issues, you might already have an aging system. A complete update may save you money in the long run over the endless cycle of repairs.
4. Constant Running Water
Constantly running toilets waste resources and inflate utility bills. Signs include a persistent hissing sound, frequent refilling noises, or visible water movement in the bowl when not in use.
You can also conduct a simple test by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. Color seeping into the bowl indicates a leak.
Try tightening the flapper valve or adjusting the float. When that doesn’t work, a component replacement might be necessary.
5. Inefficient Flushing in Lawrence
To determine when to replace a toilet, check how much water it needs to flush. Having to do it twice or three times is inconvenient and leaves you questioning the reliability of your fixture.
Older toilets in Lawrence often have outdated designs that don’t deliver enough flushing power despite consuming more water. Worn-out parts, such as flappers or valves, also hinder performance and leave you frustrated with inconsistent results.
Ignoring this issue for too long can result in a fixture that refuses to flush completely.
6. A Wobbly Base
Sit down on your toilet and slowly rock back and forth. If it moves with you even slightly, you’re likely dealing with loose bolts, a failing seal, or even damaged flooring.
While these problems are sometimes repairable, they often indicate that a toilet is nearing the end of its lifespan.