Keeping your home’s toilet in working order is important for your comfort, and a well-maintained bathroom can last for decades. However, you’ll eventually need to replace even the best porcelain throne. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common signs that you need a new toilet for your home.

You Make Repairs Often

If you’re calling a plumber often, replacing your toilet could save you money. You also won’t have to worry about whether your toilet will work when you need it. If a toilet needs lots of repairs at once, replacing it could also be much less time-consuming than trying to fix the current model.

Your Water Bills Are High

While older toilets use 3 to 5 gallons of water with each flush, newer low-flush toilets use about 2 gallons per flush. Replacing older toilets can pay for itself over time through utility savings alone, and it’s an especially good idea if you have a large family. Consider a model with a dual-flush feature. It can flush with a smaller amount of water for liquids, and it only uses the full amount for solid waste. That way, you can conserve as much water as possible.

You could also have high water bills if you have a leaking toilet. A small leak can easily go undetected for months. Since the water often comes from an area behind the toilet, it’s difficult to see. A high water bill could be your first indication of a problem. You could also notice cracked or mildewed caulk or grout around the bottom of the toilet and a musty or earthy smell. Water from a leaky toilet can damage your bathroom’s floor and subfloor. If the toilet is on the second floor, you might have to replace the ceiling below it.

If your water bill rises suddenly and your usage and the rates in your area haven’t changed, contact an experienced plumber to find the problem and help you replace the toilet if needed. That way, you can lower your bills and keep any damage from becoming worse. A toilet that runs often can increase your water bill, as well. While this problem is usually simple to repair, it can occasionally be easier and less costly to get a new toilet.

Your Toilet Has Cracks, Scratches, or Chips

A crack in your toilet’s tank below the water line or in the toilet bowl is a common cause of leaks. If the crack isn’t near the water in the toilet or tank, you can have it repaired instead of replacing the toilet. However, your toilet may not look like new if the crack was in a prominent location. Porcelain toilets can also develop unsightly chips or scratches over time.

While these issues usually don’t impact your toilet’s functionality after repairs, they can make your bathroom look unsightly. Lots of scratches or chips can also make it difficult to keep the toilet clean.  If you’re spending more time cleaning the toilet than usual, it could be time for a replacement.

Your Toilet Has Frequent Clogs

If your toilet clogs often or you need to flush it more than once, you could need a new model. Most households get occasional clogs when kids or other family members flush items that aren’t meant to go down the toilet.

Some older low-flush toilets often require more than one flush to work properly, and they clog very easily. Fortunately, the technology has advanced, and newer models almost always need just one flush. The newer models also conserve water, so you won’t see an increase in your utility bill after installation. Since you’ll have to flush less often, you may even see a decrease in your expenses.

Your Toilet Is Unattractive or Uncomfortable

square shaped toilet
Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by C Jill Reed

Not everyone has the same tastes, and a toilet that your home’s previous owner loved could look dated or clash with your current decor. Replacing it can give your bathroom a more coherent, up-to-date look. It can even increase the value of your home by making it more appealing to prospective buyers.

Replacing an uncomfortable toilet can make using your bathroom much easier. Some toilets are taller than others, and the height might lead to circulation problems for shorter people. On the other hand, tall people may not want to use a short toilet. The shape of the toilet bowl could be different from what you’re used to, as well. With most toilets, you can try replacing just the seat before you get a new toilet. However, you’ll have more options if you replace everything.

You can add a bidet or washlet to save toilet paper, and heated toilet seats are available. Some newer toilets can connect to your smartphone, and others come with built-in air fresheners.

Your Toilet Has Mineral Buildup

In areas with hard water, minerals can build up over time in a toilet’s inlet holes and siphon tube. It can keep water from flowing efficiently, forcing you to flush multiple times and use more water. You can remove some of these mineral deposits by scrubbing or chipping at the buildup, but it can be a slow process. Hard water buildup often causes unsightly, rust-colored stains as well. People who have the funds often choose to get a new toilet instead of spending hours or days trying to get rid of stains and buildup.

Your Toilet Wobbles

Loose screws could cause a wobbly toilet, and the problem is easy to fix. However, a wobbly toilet could also be caused by water damage under your floor. If your toilet is still unstable after tightening the screws or bolts that attach it to the floor, you may need to replace it along with your floor.

To select a new toilet that will look great and meet all of your needs, contact us at Allied Plumbing & Heating Supply in Chicago. We have a large showroom and an extensive inventory with a variety of hard-to-find products. Our experienced salespeople will be happy to answer your questions.