When it comes to giving your bathroom a makeover, you’re probably more concerned about your walls and floor than the fixtures and fittings, but there comes a time in every homeowner’s life when it’s time to upgrade their toilet!
There are a number of reasons why your toilet might need to be replaced for a new model. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes for requiring a replacement.
Leaks
Has your toilet started leaking? Unfortunately, a toilet leak demands a replacement. Whether there is a leak from the bowl or the tank, toilet leaks often go unnoticed for extended periods and the problem with this is that damage can occur to the floor or even the subfloor. If this carries on, you may need to replace the whole bathroom floor – a costly affair. It’s therefore important to check for leaks on a regular basis, as the sooner the problem is addressed the less likely there is to be any damage to the rooms below your bathroom. Although it’s technically possible to find the source of a toilet leak and to repair it, it’s often more cost-effective to simply buy a replacement, especially if your existing toilet is showing its age.
Low Efficiency
Older toilets weren’t designed with water saving in mind. This means that every time you flush you will be using a lot more water than is necessary. A toilet which was made before 1980 uses as much as 7 gallons of water in every flush, and these days, that isn’t ideal. We’re all trying to reduce our environmental impact, so using excessive amounts of water in flushing away waste seems to be very wasteful. Not only that, but if you’re on a water meter, you could be literally flushing money away. In the 1990s, new federal guidelines were put in place to ensure that no modern toilet could use over 1.6 gallons of water in a single flush. Therefore, if your toilet is rapidly becoming an antique, it’s time to buy a replacement.
Appearance
Is your toilet looking horribly dated? Unfortunately, in the past, there were some very distinctive looking toilets which were the height of fashion at the time but which just make your whole bathroom look outdated in the 21st century. From the classic avocado green of the 1970s to the scalloped toilet seats of the 1990s, your toilet may once have been in vogue but it’s probably an embarrassment today unless you’re seriously into the retro look. It also goes without saying that if you’re stuck with a coral pink toilet, it probably will seriously limit what you can do with your color scheme. Modern toilets are available in a host of colors too, but if you want something that goes with everything a traditional white toilet is hard to beat.
Comfort
Interestingly, comfort is something which seems to come quite low on the list of priorities when choosing a toilet. Yet it’s definitely not something to overlook. If your toilet seat is too narrow or small, or the height of the seat is too low or too high it’s time to invest in a new toilet. Make sure that you choose a model that fits your family and you comfortably.
Broken Components
Does your existing toilet have broken components which you haven’t replaced yet? If you’re struggling along with a broken flush handle or some of the interior mechanisms have seen better days, it’s often cheaper to replace the whole toilet than simply to replace the damaged components.
Are You Replacing Your Floor?
If you’re giving your bathroom a makeover, you’ll often be thinking about replacing the flooring. If so, your toilet will need to be uninstalled temporarily anyway so the new floor can be put down. Since you’re uninstalling the unit anyway, there’s never been a better time for a replacement!
If you’re going to replace your toilet, it’s often best to hire a contractor to do the job. It can be very easy to make a mistake with the plumbing, and you don’t want to have to deal with a leaking toilet! Make sure to get some professional help so you can get maximum enjoyment from your new throne!
Need to choose a new toilet? Click this link to read more about how to pick the right one for you!
