It can be difficult to know when it’s time to invest in a new toilet or repair the one you’ve got. While fixing your toilet seems like the easiest and quickest solution, it’s not always the case. Sometimes, simply replacing your toilet is the best choice for saving money – and time.
On the other hand, there are times when the problem isn’t the toilet at all. If you replace yours without knowing this, you’ve just flushed money down the, well, toilet.
Below is a guide to help you determine the best next steps to take if you’ve got a toilet plumbing issue and whether you should replace yours or have it repaired.
When to repair your toilet
There’s water at the base of the toilet
If you’ve noticed water collecting at the base of the toilet, the culprit is likely a leaking seal. Yours might be older and brittle or otherwise damaged. Replacing the seal could be all you’ll need to do to fix the problem. Remember: you’ll want to do this as soon as you can. Otherwise, your water bill might be higher than usual.
The toilet won’t flush properly
If you’re pushing the toilet handle down, only for there to be a delay in the flush, or if the toilet doesn’t flush at all, it could be for a variety of reasons. Often, the cause is a bad flapper, or a clog in the vent pipes, trap, or even the sewer.
Repairing your toilet won’t fix this problem. Instead, it’s best to call an experienced plumber who can identify the issue and perform the needed repairs.
The toilet bowl isn’t filling with water
Take it from us, this is an extremely common plumbing problem. Usually, the issue stems from a faulty fill valve. You can find fill valves at your local home improvement store, and the repair can be relatively easy to do. Just make sure you purchase the proper fill valve for the make and model of your toilet.
Reasons to replace your toilet
The toilet always needs to be repaired
If you’re constantly running to the hardware store, buying new parts to fix your toilet, or always unclogging it with the plunger, it may be time to simply get a new one. We recommend talking this over with a plumber, who can not only help you make the right decision, but help you choose – and of course install – a new toilet, too.
It’s always clogging
It’s not just a nuisance to have to unclog your toilet every day (or even every week), it can also lead to a sanitary issue and even raise your water bill.
As we mentioned, toilet clogs happen for a variety of reasons. Most occur when something is stuck somewhere in the toilet or pipes, however, sometimes clogs occur after mineral deposits have developed at the top of the drain. The deposits accumulate overtime, and once there’s a buildup, it can lead to clogging.
To know for sure if deposits are the culprit of the clogs, have a plumber inspect the drains. If they clean out mineral deposits and your toilet continues to clog, it might be time to replace it.
The toilet bowl or tank is cracked
While porcelain is extremely durable, your porcelain toilet can still crack. Even a small hairline crack can cause a serious leak or even worse, the toilet could break completely and cause flooding on your floor. We recommend inspecting your toilet regularly for any cracks. If you see one, it’s time to replace your toilet.
Don’t wait if you’ve got a problem with your toilet. Instead, call the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call at 513-396-5300, or contact us via our website. We’ll eliminate the guess work by determining whether your toilet needs to be replaced or can be repaired to save you time and money. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.
Sometimes it can be tough to know whether you should invest in a plumbing repair or replace the appliance or part instead. If you’re on the fence about making plumbing updates, or trying to budget for home renovation and updates in the new year, our list below can help.
Take a look at our breakdown of the top plumbing parts in your home and their average lifespan. Then, use it to help you answer the big question: to repair, or not repair?
Water heaters. Traditional water heaters should be replaced 10-15 years. Tankless water heaters should be replaced every 20 years. Regular maintenance and cleaning can extend the life of your water heater to the end of its warranty, but we recommend replacing it within 20 years at the very latest.
Signs to look for that indicate the possible need for a new water heater include rust around the heater base, a pilot light that won’t stay lit, the inability to stay heated, and when the valve continues to slip.
Supply pipes. We’ve got good news for you here. Pipes last a long time and can usually be replaced one-by-one if they break. Most often pipes can be repaired and if you have an older home, it’s important that you have a plumbing professional inspect your home’s supply pipe system to make sure it does not need to be replaced.
Ideally, brass pipes last between 80-100 years, as do steel pipes, while copper pipes last between 75-100 years.
Faucets. There’s no time limit on faucets, but ones that are used repeatedly on a daily basis usually succumb to normal wear-and-tear at some point. Luckily, you can easily repair faucets unless they crack and break.
Another reason to replace faucets is if they are leaking water on a constant basis. Of course, if you remodel your kitchen or bathroom, new faucets are a quick and simple way to make it more modern.
Washing machine supply hoses. Your washing machine supply hoses should be replaced every 2-3 years. Waiting too long can lead to major leaking and even cause your hose to burst. If you notice any bubbling in the hose, cracks, discoloration or rusting, you’ll need to replace the hose. Supply hoses can be purchased at home improvement stores and are often easy to replace without the help of a professional plumber.
Toilets. The main part of the toilet, basically the bowl itself, doesn’t need to be replaced unless it’s cracked or otherwise broken, however, parts of the toilet will need to be replaced at some point. Flappers and valves should be replaced every 4-5 years and wax seals should be replaced every 25-30 years.
Of course, if you see any leaking at the base of the toilet or if the toilet won’t flush, it may be time for a new toilet. And if you have to jiggle the handle constantly, you’ll want to invest in a new toilet handle.
Garbage disposals. Most garbage disposals last about 10 years but we advise checking the warranty to make sure. If you’re resetting it often, or if food is getting stuck, it may need to be replaced. Additionally, if there are bad odors coming from the drain or if it simply isn’t doing its job, it may be time for a new garbage disposal.
Drain lines. Drain lines can last from 80-100 years if cast iron, and 25-40 years if they are made with PVC. Most of the time, drain lines only need to be replaced because of tree root growth or a natural disaster. If you own an older home, it’s important to check your drain lines to make sure they are not old enough to need to be replaced.
Don’t wait for a costly repair to update your home’s plumbing if it’s outdated. Remember: it’s always better to safe, rather than sorry, when it comes to home improvement. Call or Contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter now. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.