There are a lot of different things in your house that need to be in good condition at all times. One of the most important parts of your house is the toilet, and if yours starts showing signs that it needs to be replaced, then you should take note of them and take action as soon as possible.
According to plumber Newcastle owner Cherie Outjers, your toilet is one of the most important fixtures in your home, so it’s important to keep it in good working condition. Unfortunately, toilets don’t last forever and there will come a time when you need to replace them.
Whether you're dealing with a leaky tank, a slow-flushing bowl, or any other issues, keep reading to learn more about when it might be time to replace your toilet.
1. It’s been more than 20 years since you bought it – Toilets typically have a lifespan of 20-30 years. If yours is approaching or has exceeded this age, it’s probably time for a replacement.
2. It constantly clogs – A single clog isn’t a big deal, but if it happens more than once, you might have a larger issue on your hands. A clogged toilet can be caused by different factors, including broken parts or damaged pipes.
3. It leaks – If the water level in your toilet bowl is above the overflow tube when it’s not being flushed and doesn’t go down over time, this is a clear sign that you need to repair or replace your toilet.
4. Your seat is wobbly – Toilets are made with several moving parts and all of these pieces need to fit together perfectly to function properly. If something has come loose or become worn out over time, you may notice that your toilet seat is no longer stable.
5. There’s a weird smell coming from your toilet – A small amount of sewer gas escaping from your toilet is normal, but if it has an unpleasant odour that won’t go away or increases when you flush the toilet, it could be a sign of more serious problems with the plumbing in your home.
6. The flush handle doesn’t work properly – If your flush handle sticks or feels loose, this is another indication that something may be wrong with your toilet and that you might need to replace it soon.
7. Your tank doesn’t fill up properly – When you push down on the handle to flush the toilet, does the water in the cistern continue to rise past the normal levels? If so, your toilet could be clogged somewhere in the pipes.
8. Your water bill is higher than usual – If you find yourself having to pay more for your water each month and don’t know why, it could be because of leaks from a damaged or worn-out toilet.
9. You hear loud noises coming from your toilet – Toilets aren’t supposed to make much noise, so if yours frequently makes unusual sounds when you flush it, this is another sign that something isn’t right with it. This can be caused by broken parts or debris stuck in the drain pipe that needs to be removed.
10. It takes too long to refill after each flush – If your toilet seems to be taking more than a few seconds to fill back up with water, this could indicate that the tank is leaking.
11. The wax seal around the bowl has broken – When you smell sewer gas or notice stains on the floor around your toilet, it’s probably because the wax ring between your toilet and floor has failed. This causes leaks and can damage the entire bathroom if left unchecked for too long.
12. You just don’t like how it looks anymore – Sometimes, homeowners decide to replace their toilets simply because they want an updated look in their home. So even if none of these other signs apply to your current situation, you might still consider replacing it if you just want something that looks nicer.
As you can see, there are many different signs that your toilet may need to be replaced. If any of these apply to you, it’s important to schedule repairs or a replacement as soon as possible before more serious problems develop. Contact a local plumbing company for assistance with this today!