toiletIf you’re asking yourself “is it time to replace the toilet?” then the answer is probably yes. It’s one of those “if you have to ask, you already know the answer” situations.

At Simpson Plumbing, we believe in keeping you fully informed and helping you make decisions that don’t lead to needlessly spending or wasting money, so we sat down and compiled this list of signs your toilet needs replacing.

How Long Does a Toilet Last?

When you’re thinking about replacing your toilet, you probably wonder about the toilet lifespan. After all, you don’t want to replace a brand-new toilet that has some of the signs of a bad toilet if you can help it. In general, you should expect a toilet to last over 15 years if it’s properly maintained.

1. Trouble Flushing

Trouble flushing the toilet is one of the most obvious signs you have a problem. It could be that your toilet isn’t flushing as well as it used to or worse, it’s not flushing at all.

Keep in mind, we aren’t talking about clog issues here – that’s coming up. When your toilet won’t flush like it should, there are multiple potential causes. From low water levels to damaged parts to issues with sewer lines or siphon jets, the probably isn’t always as simple as it seems.

When to replace: If you know the tank is filling properly and there isn’t an issue there, it’s time to replace the toilet if you notice it isn’t flushing well regularly. Our team can diagnose the issue and recommend if replacement is necessary.

2. Leaking

Leaking is one of the big nightmares when it comes to toilets. For one, you don’t want toilet water (and worse – waste) all over your bathroom. Secondly, leaks can damage your flooring and more leading to structural damage.

Leaks (not caused by overflow due to clogs) occur because of bad seals, small cracks, and broken flanges. It’s important to check around your toilet regularly for leaks even if you think you don’t have a problem because minor leaks can be invisible and cause major issues.

When to replace: This is a problem you should get diagnosed because it could be something most homeowners don’t want to DIY, like a wax ring repair. Worse could be a crack that’s practically invisible and causing the leak – in this case, it means replacement.

3. Strange Noses

Noises in the bathroom are unsettling and troublesome – and no, we aren’t talking about the ones coming from Uncle Carl after the five-alarm chili. We’re talking about your toilet.

You shouldn’t hear anything from your toilet other than flushing and water running noises. And you shouldn’t hear it running all the time, either. If you hear any other noises, you may want to contact us to diagnose the problem.

When to replace: If you hear noises that sound like air hissing or water trickling (not the toilet running), you may have an issue with the float or overflow tube. You can replace these parts, but it may lead to a replacement fill valve. This is slippery slope if the toilet is older because you could end up replacing it part by part, which means an upgrade would be the most cost- and time-efficient options.

These are just three of the signs your toilet may need replacing, but keep in mind that you may experience other issues outside of this list. If you have any concerns about the health of your toilet or your plumbing in general, give us a call.