Assessing Your Plumbing - When to Replace Your Toilet

Every part of your home has an expiration date, from your floorboards to your dining set. However, most homeowners aren’t willing to undergo extensive renovations, especially if it’s in areas that are particularly difficult to handle. For example, bathroom remodels can be a pain since it can involve pipeline replacements that can inconvenience your daily routines. Although it can be troublesome to do, there are cases when these renovations are necessary to maintain and improve your living conditions.

Is it time to replace your toilets?

Knowing when your toilets are due for a replacement is more than just an aesthetic issue. In fact, structural inefficiencies are more common causes for homeowners to replace their toilets. This is why it’s necessary to commit to a renovation, whether you’re planning to upgrade your home’s property value or fixing your bathroom’s issues.

Here are five potential signs that you need to replace your toilet:

1. Increasing water bills

Toilets can comprise a considerable portion of your water bills. Unfortunately, older toilets manufactured before 1980 can appear clean and durable but contribute to a massive water usage waste. These dated fixtures can absorb over 7 gallons of water in just one flush.

Federal guidelines in the 1990s required modern toilets to remain under 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF). Many optimized plumbing fixtures use even less water, with a rating of 1.28 GPF. You can check your toilet’s age and product number to see if you’re using an energy-efficient unit by lifting the lid and looking for a date stamp. If you’re secretly caring for an outdated model, it may be time to make the switch.

2. Broken parts or water leaks

It’s dangerous to undermine leaks and faulty equipment with your plumbing or toilets. Leaks from your toilet’s tank can go undetected and cause damage to your flooring or subfloor. Although it’s a band-aid solution to apply sealant or replace parts, it may be a safer choice to completely replace your toilet.

If you’re unwilling to undergo extensive renovations, consulting with a plumbing expert can give you a better idea if you’ll need it or not. Having a professional diagnose your plumbing fixtures allows you to get an expert opinion on how much you’ll need to account for when considering your renovation budget.

3. Outdated aesthetics

Homeowners have a habit of avoiding renovations on areas of their home that are hard to manage. This is why outdoor extensions and living room rearrangements are more common than kitchen and bathroom remodels. However, this often leads to these difficult areas being left out of fashion, unlike the rest of the house.

Don’t be reluctant to renovate your bathroom if it no longer matches your home’s other interiors. Thankfully, there are numerous options available that let you coordinate different themes and color schemes that mix well with your home’s overall visual direction. However, keep in mind that designer colors and materials can be much pricier than traditional selections.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, it’s better to replace your toilet before experiencing any plumbing difficulties with it. If you find out later that you have underlying pipeline issues, you may end up going beyond your renovation budget. Contact your plumbing experts to assess any potential damage you need to cover before you push through with your bathroom remodel. 

Finding a reliable plumbing service can ease the load of your renovation worries. We can provide professional assistance for your plumbing needs, from quality products to plumbing installations at Nova Plumbing Fixtures. If you're shopping for replacement plumbing fixtures in Vancouver, BC for your home, contact us today!