When a toilet is causing trouble, homeowners often need to decide whether to have it repaired or replaced. However, you may not be able to easily determine which choice is best. This article takes a look at six key factors to consider when you are making this decision.
1. Frequent Blockages
A blocked or stopped-up toilet is not a major concern if it just happens once in a while, as clogs are not necessarily a sign that anything is wrong with the unit. Minor back-ups that occur irregularly are typically the result of someone flushing something inappropriate, such as paper towels, down the bowl and can usually be resolved with a plunger.
If clogs and backups are occurring on a regular basis, however, that's a different story. Frequent blockages are often a sign that the toilet can no longer function properly and a replacement is needed.
2. Bowl Leaks
Are you noticing a significant amount of water on your bathroom floor around the bottom of the toilet? If so, you need to take action as large leaks can waste many gallons of water if the issue not fixed. A leaky toilet might simply need a minor repair or the problem could require a major repair, or even a replacement, depending on the cause.
Common sources of leaks are loose bolts at the bottom of the unit and a faulty wax ring where the toilet connects to the drainpipe. Fixing these problems is rather complicated and messy, so most likely you will want to leave these repairs to a professional plumber.
Cracks
When the source of a leak is a crack in the toilet, it's generally best to go ahead and install a new unit, especially if the toilet is an older model. A cracked, older toilet is probably not worth repairing.
3. Water Bill
When you are thinking about whether to repair or replace your toilet, one factor to key in mind is your water bill. If you have an older model toilet, it will typically use more water per flush than more efficient newer models.
So rather than repair an older toilet, it could make more sense to simply to replace the unit, as you will make up for the cost of purchasing the new model over time due to savings in your water bills.
4. Toilet Style
Another point to consider is the type of toilet that you have. If the style or design of your current toilet is not to your liking, then getting a new model that is more pleasing to your tastes rather than getting the old repaired is a good idea.
5. Rocking Issues
When a toilet is not stable, it's definitely a cause for concern. If the seat is just wobbling a little, then a repair is usually in order, as this issue is typically a simple fix. When the entire toilet bowl is rocking back and forth, however, it's probably time to go ahead and install a new unit.
6. Repair Cost
The cost of any repair is a key part of any decision regarding repair or replacement. If you have a complicated repair, such as installing several new components, always compare the cost of foxing the old model with the cost of purchasing a new one. In some instances, installing a replacement is more cost-effective.
Having a tough time deciding whether to repair or replace your toilet? Let the trained professionals at Dignity Plumbing help you make the right choice. We will be happy to take a look at the situation and either repair your toilet or install a new one, depending on which option is best for you. Contact us to make an appointment.