It is perhaps the most important, and still the most underrated appliance in your home, and if it stops working it could spell disaster. We’re talking about your toilet, and it’s important for every homeowner to know the signs that yours might be reaching the end of its useful life so you can get it repaired or replaced.
Signs it’s Time to Replace
Sometimes your toilet might be in need of simple repairs, but in other situations you might need to go ahead and replace it entirely. Some things that generally cannot be fixed include:
- Cracks in the tank. The easiest way to spot this is when you frequently find puddles of water around the bank of your toilet. It’s important to investigate the source of the water; if you find that it is a leak you might be able to repair it, but if it is the result of cracks in the tank or the bowl, you might need a new toilet. If you’re not sure where the puddle is coming from, call a professional plumber to help you investigate.
- The toilet is getting older. Just like any other appliance in your home, toilets are not designed to last forever. If yours has been in your home for a few decades and you start to notice problems, it might be time to just get a new one.
- Your toilet is wasting water. There’s no way to make an older toilet more efficient, so if yours is wasting thousands of gallons of water every year and driving up your water bill every month, getting a new one can save you money and help the planet at the same time. Many toilets today are designed to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, or dual-flush technology that uses less water for liquid waste and more for solid waste.
Signs it’s Time for Repairs
In some cases you might be able to simply repair your toilet, but usually it will take the skilled eye of a Utah plumber to find out whether repairs will be enough. Some common things that can be fixed include:
- An unstable toilet. It’s unnerving to be sitting on the toilet and feel it rock, so if yours is starting to wobble, you might need a new one. Call a plumber to come and check to find out if you can just tighten the bolts, or if it’s a deeper problem with the flooring under the toilet that will require more extensive repair.
- Clogged or overflowing toilet. In most situations a clogged toilet can be repaired, although depending on what is causing the clog you may need to call a professional plumber to clear it out.
- Constantly running toilet. A toilet that is always “running” usually has a damaged or worn out flapper, or a float that is not properly adjusted. Both of these things are pretty simple repairs to make, but if you’re not comfortable doing the work yourself you can always call a plumber.
Replacing your old, worn-out toilet can help you save water and energy, reduce wastewater, prevent the need for frequent repairs in the future, and update the look of your bathroom. Find out how replacing your toilet can benefit you by calling a plumber today.