Can A Toilet Really Wear Out?
As long as your toilet still flushes and the bowl refills with water, most homeowners never think about upgrading or replacing it. There is little thought given to this much needed and used plumbing fixture. But the truth is that there are many reasons why you should be thinking about replacing an older model toilet. Some reasons are obvious, while others are more obscure. But each one has its purpose and advantages.
CRACKS OR DAMAGE TO THE TANK
If you are finding small puddles under or near your toilet tank, there is a good chance that there are tiny cracks in the tank. And while you might not be too concerned because it is clean water dripping on the floor, it is a sign of impending trouble. Just like most problems in this world, a small crack never stays small for very long. Soon the water erodes more of the toilet tank, and the leak increases. If you continue to ignore the leak, your next complication will be mold and mildew growth in your floors and walls. Replacing a cracked toilet is much less expensive than hiring a contractor to rip out water damaged flooring, complete a mold inspection, and repair any contaminated or damaged flooring.
Your Toilet Is A Classic
If your throne was made before 1994, it is time to retire it. Toilets made before 1994 used as much as four gallons of water per flush. In 94, all toilets were required to meet low flow standards, which meant that they could only use a bit over a gallon of water per flush. And while this does not sound like significant savings, think about the number of times toilets are flushed in your home each day. If that number is ten, then your savings would be about 30 gallons of water each day or nearly 11,000 thousand gallons of water each year. You could fill an average residential swimming pool with all the water you are saving! That is significant savings on your water bill and a massive benefit for the environment.
A Toilet Should Not Wobble
It can be very unsettling to sit on a toilet that wobbles. But after a while, you might not even notice it. Just like everything around an older home, it is not perfect. But you make the best of it. Well, in the case of a wobbly toilet, you could be overlooking a serious issue. Your plumber will be able to tell you if the repair is as simple as tightening the mounting bolts or if there is water damage to the floor that is causing the unsteadiness. If the floor has begun to rot, there is likely a leak in the toilet. And it needs to be replaced. In addition, the floor should be inspected for any mold contamination. Then all of the damage should be removed and new flooring installed. If you keep ignoring the sway of your commode, you might end up with some very costly and significant damage to your floor and anything that is below your toilet.
The Bowl Is Round
There is really nothing wrong with a round toilet bowl other than it is a clear indication that the toilet predates the low flow mandates. And when that is the case, you are wasting money and water with each flush. Most consumers also find that the oval shape is more comfortable. And the bowl stays cleaner thanks to the updated flow pattern.
You Are Constantly Repairing Your Toilet
If you are finding a new issue with your toilet every few weeks, it is best to be proactive. Once a toilet begins to decline due to age, it is only a matter of time until it begins to leak and damage your floors and possibly walls and ceilings if it is located on the second floor of your home. If it has reached that point, it is probably also wasting a lot of water along with your hard-earned money.
If your toilet meets any of these criteria, call (706) 303-0987 for an honest price quote to replace it. The plumbing professionals at Drain Surgeon will get the job done quickly and cost-effectively.
