Without being too graphic, it’s fair to say that our toilets are probably the hardest working plumbing appliances in your home. One of the most common questions that many homeowners ask themselves during a remodel is should they upgrade the toilet. This is not an easy yes or no question, and there are a number of factors to consider before making that decision. In this article, we will look at four key aspects of your current toilet and how they could affect your choice.
- Toilet Clogging Issues
Many minor toilet clogs can be cleared with a dedicated plunger, and it’s a good idea to have one on hand for this task. Plunging a toilet is pretty simple, and it doesn’t take too much time, but if you’re plunging on a regular basis, something is wrong. Older toilets have a low flush capacity, and this makes them prone to clogs and blockages. A modern toilet is designed to flush more effectively, and in most cases, they use far less water, making them an efficient alternative.
- Porcelain Cracks
If you look closely at the surface of an older toilet, you may be able to see thin cracks in the porcelain. These tiny fractures are weak points on the surface of the basin, and they could develop into larger breaks at any time. When a toilet basin breaks, there will be localized flooding, and the toilet will need replacing anyway. You can save yourself a lot of hassle if you switch a cracked toilet for a newer model.
- Water Leaks
A water leak from your toilet tank or bowl can be hard to catch, but it can cause a great deal of damage to the bathroom floor and the subfloor beneath. One east test is to gently rock the toilet in place and see if it moves from side to side. If the toilet does move, this could be a sign that the floorboards around the base have water damage. A local professional plumber can repair a water leak in your toilet, but it makes better financial sense to install a new modern toilet instead. A water leak from your toilet can cause damage, but it also waste gallons of water each day, and this can add up over time.
- High Water Bills
We touched on this point above, but the potential for water waste from a toilet should not be underestimated. Aside from any water leaks caused by damage, there is also the fact that older toilets are less efficient. Any toilet made prior to the 1980s might use as much as 7 gallons of water in a single flush. In comparison, a modern toilet will typically use less than 1.6 gallons per flush, which is a massive difference in water use. If you want to figure out how old your toilet is, lift the lid or check the basin lid and you should find a date stamp.
If you need to upgrade your toilet, contact a
local certified plumber for expert help and advice today.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
