Your bathroom toilet is not the most charming fixture in your home, but it certainly is popular! As a result, it tends to use a lot of water, especially if it isn’t functioning properly. Even worse, when you consider the nature of the “flushables,” you want to ensure your toilet won’t leak. 

Older toilets eventually fail, increasing water waste and the risk of horrifying leaks. To help avoid these issues, we have shared the nine most common signs it’s time to replace your toilet.

1. Endless clogs

A toilet shouldn’t clog due to day-to-day “activities.” Although random clogs will occur, unless you’re flushing things that aren’t flushable, like paper towels, using too much toilet paper, or having larger than usual solid waste, your toilet should flush without clogging. 

The worst toilets for clogs are older low-flush toilets. Regardless of the toilet type, encountering clogs more than once a week, or blockages that happen for no apparent reason, is a sign that you need a new toilet.

2. Cracks in the porcelain

Cracks in the porcelain will inevitably lead to leaks. Unfortunately, they are not always noticeable. If your toilet is older, you might want to check for cracks when you’re cleaning the bowl and the area around the toilet. 

The other sign of cracks is water on the bathroom floor. Cracks can occur on the bowl and are a sure sign that you need to replace your bathroom toilet as soon as possible.

3. Constant “running”

If you hear a constant sound of running water from your toilet, it’s time for a replacement. That running water is costing you money and will only get worse. 

4. Ongoing parts repairs and replacements

Bathroom toilets are designed to last at least ten years. If you’re constantly fixing your toilet or replacing parts, your toilet is sending a message that it’s time to call it quits. It’s even worse if you’re not just paying for parts, but also hiring a plumber to come and make repairs. 

Instead of wasting money on repairs, you can save money by hiring a plumber to replace the entire toilet. Ask your plumber to assess your toilet when they come in to make that first repair. They’ll have a good idea of what parts will fail next and give you an estimate for ongoing repairs compared to investing in a new toilet. The new toilet tends to win, especially if your old one also wastes water.

5. Your bathroom toilet is over 10 years old

The older the toilet, the less efficient it tends to be. If your old toilet seems like it’s in good condition, you also have to consider how much water it is wasting. For example, the average old toilet uses up to five gallons of water per flush, while a new one only uses about two gallons. 

Additionally, toilets older than ten years will likely show their age soon. You should cut your losses now and replace your old one with a new efficient model to reduce water waste.

6. Your toilet is wobbly

Wobbly toilets are caused by not being appropriately affixed to the floor. The first thing you can do is tighten the bolts or have a plumber do it for you. If the wobbling stops, your issues aren’t so bad. 

However, if that doesn’t help, it could be something more serious, such as a dried-out wax ring that can lead to leaks or water damage to floor boards caused by an existing leak. 

7. Weak flushes

If you find it takes more flushes to get rid of the waste, you probably should replace your toilet. As mentioned earlier, older low-flush toilets are notorious for weak flushes. This is a real water waster that adds to your utility bills. A new low-flush toilet is designed to swoosh away waste in a single flush.

8. Mineral deposits

If your home has hard water, there is a higher risk for the minerals in the water to create deposits. Mineral deposits interfere with the function of your toilet’s inlet holes or syphon tube. When you flush your toilet, the syphon tube feeds water to the inlet holes to fill the toilet bowl. 

If mineral deposits collect in these areas, you’ll see an uneven flow of water. It also makes your toilet struggle to clear away waste because the blocked inlet holes can’t produce enough water. You can check the holes to see if there are signs of blockage and try to remove the buildup. However, you have to be careful not to chip away too hard, or you can crack the rim or entire bowl. If you are experiencing toilet refill issues, you should consider a toilet replacement.

9. Your toilet looks old  

This is strictly cosmetic but still worth considering if you want your bathroom to look presentable. Ageing toilets can have all kinds of cosmetic issues, from scratches to uneven porcelain paint, and from simple style issues to feeling too small in your bathroom space.

However, you should also consider that some cosmetic issues, such as scratches, can eat away at the integrity of the toilet bowl or tank, which can cause seepage and moisture issues.

Things to Consider When Choosing a New Toilet

If you decide it’s time to replace your toilet, there are several things to consider including:

  • Bolts: To avoid complicated installation, you have to measure the bolt placement from the wall to the centre of the two existing bolts. This tells you the “rough-in” dimensions for the toilet.
  • Bowls: Toilet bowls basically come in elongated, compact-elongated, and round-front options. Elongated toilets take up a lot more space than the round front, so measure smaller bathrooms to make sure the bowl fits.
  • Seat height: There are two basic toilet heights: 1) standard toilets at about 17 inches, and 2) chair/comfort height at about 19 inches.
  • Flush features: There are three types of flush features: 1) single-flush toilets, which are standard, 2) dual-flush toilets with a button to select solid or liquid waste, and 3) touchless-flush toilets, which are single-flushes activated by a sensor.

If your bathroom toilet is telling you that it’s time for a replacement, visit Cosmaroma at our Peterborough showroom, or click here to view our online catalogue. You can also contact us online for more information.