Complete Guide to Toilets

Your complete guide to toilets

Whether you are buying a new home or revamping an existing one, toilets become important very quickly!

Having a good guide to repairing or replacing the most important item in your bathroom will help you make a good decision that lasts (almost) a lifetime. 

As experienced plumbers, we have seen it all, and here are some things you’ll need to consider:

Repair or Replace?

Fixing or replacing fixtures in your home is always a balance of cost vs. usefulness. If you have a toilet that has a few years on it, but may be showing signs of wear, you might think repairing it would be the way to go. A broken toilet can cause A LOT of damage and cost a pretty penny if not caught quickly. 

As a rule, toilets need to be replaced every 25 years, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes a substandard toilet or bad installation can change the life of your fixture. If you are a new home buyer with a home that’s older than 10 years, you’ll want to ask the previous owner when they last replaced the toilet (if ever).

You’ll also want to inspect your toilet. Unless there are obvious signs of disrepair, it won’t show up on the inspection report you receive as a new owner, so make sure that your bathroom is in good working order.

Does your toilet:

• Run constantly?
• Are there cracks in the porcelain?
• Do you notice any leaks around the base of the toilet?
• Is the tank firmly attached to the base?
• Is there rust on the screws at the base or in the tank?

Lastly, you may choose to replace a traditional toilet with a high-efficiency unit. This might be especially important for homes that rely on well water (more on this in another article).

If you are unsure or inexperienced, you can always call us to assess your toilet to see what your best course of action might be (we do free consultations).

Cost of repairs:

Toilet Repairs can range from a couple of hundred dollars to several, depending on what needs to be done. Replacing a toilet usually costs a bit more, but the true question is: Will the repair go the distance to fulfill the lifespan of the toilet? 

If your toilet is more than 10 years old and showing multiple signs of disrepair a fix may only be temporary with an imminent replacement in a couple of years; so going in on the cost to replace will ultimately save you money in the long run. However, if your toilet is only a couple of years old, that repair will extend the life of your fixture long enough to make it worth it.

What toilet is best to replace the one I have?

With over 20 years in the plumbing service business, we’ve seen a thing or two. We have experience with many brands of toilets including standard toilets,  high-efficiency toilets , luxury toilets, and bidets and are happy to make a recommendation for your property and budget. 

If you have questions or concerns about your toilet, please give us a call, (407) 322-0042 or email ha********************@gm***.com for more information or to book a free consultation. 

If you notice a leak we have same day emergency service available. Don’t wait!