One of the most used appliances in your home is the toilet. The lifespan of your toilet depends on the model and how well it’s taken care of, but most toilets can last for at least 15 years.
While a toilet can withstand a lot, there will come a time when you need to replace it. Your toilet will probably give you some warning signs when you need a new toilet. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for any abnormalities with its appearance or functioning, such as frequent clogs, cracks, and more.
How Do You Know When You Need a New Toilet? 5 Warning Signs
1. Regular Clogs or Overflows
Your toilet might be damaged if it’s clogging or overflowing on a regular basis. There could be a few reasons for this.
One explanation could be that your toilet is old. Unlike newer models, older toilets require more than one flush at a time, and often experience random stoppages. Another possible reason behind this issue is flushing items down the toilet that shouldn’t be flushed.
Remember: Be cautious of the items you (and your kids) flush. You should never flush bathroom products such as cotton balls, Q-Tips, facial tissue, and feminine products.
Either way; if you’re plunging your toilet more than once a week, it’s probably time for a new one that’s in working order.
2. Cracks in the Bowl or Tank
If there are any hairline cracks inside the bowl or tank, you need to replace the whole toilet. This is because the bowl bears all of the weight of not just the toilet, but anyone using it. This could cause serious injury or damage to the bathroom—like rot, mold, mildew, or even structural damage.
You may see leakage before you notice the actual cracks. If you see water on the floor by the toilet, look around closely for any cracks, as they might be hard to see without proper inspection.
3. The Toilet is Wobbly
If you notice that your toilet seems unstable and wobbly, it’s probably due to parts of the foundation needing to be tightened. The root of the issue is most likely from the floor underneath your toilet.
Slow leaks over time will cause the floor beneath your toilet to become damp and rot, resulting in a weak surface for your toilet to sit on.
4. Constant Running Toilet
If your toilet is running non-stop and wasting gallons of water, you’ll be able to hear it. This is typically caused by interior damage to a part of the toilet. Not all damaged toilets run constantly—some stop shortly after the flush. However, this is still a sign of damage and a huge waste of water that will reflect on your water bill.
In this case, “fixing” your toilet is only temporary. Installing a new one is a good idea to ensure that this issue doesn’t persist and that it’s working properly.
5. In Constant Need of Repairs
If you find that you need to get your toilet fixed all the time, you should replace it. It depends on the damage sustained by the toilet, but most plumbers would recommend replacing your toilet entirely.
The smartest option is to invest in a new toilet, so you don’t keep spending time and money repairing a faulty one.
Toilet Problems? Contact Supreme
You use your toilet every day—don’t settle for one that doesn’t function properly.
If you’re having issues with your toilet or you’re wondering if it’s time to replace it, call a plumber from the Supreme team. We’ll connect you with one of our expert plumbers that can diagnose and solve all your toilet’s problems, or even install a brand new one!
