How Long Does A Toilet Last? And When Do You Replace It?

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How Long Does A Toilet Last? And When Do You Replace It?

How long do toilets usually last?

Depending on use, a good toilet may last you 50 years. Most toilets are made of porcelain, which lasts a long time. Certain components within the toilet may need to be repaired or replaced more frequently, however. Most of these can and should be replaced without replacing the whole toilet.

Ultimately, how long your toilet lasts depends on how long it continues to function effectively.

Most toilets have two parts: the tank and the bowl. The tank holds the water, while the bowl holds the waste. If you need a new tank, you can purchase it separately. You can also get a new bowl if you need to replace it.

How do you know when to replace a toilet?

It Needs Too Many Repairs

Rebuilding a toilet should include many items in the tank, such as the handle, the flapper, and the fill valve. You can fix some of these repairs easily, but it will require money and take time.

Repairing your old toilet isn’t a good way to save money. Instead, if you have to repair it, you should consider buying a brand new one. This will save you money in the long run. It will cost you a little more up front, but it’s a much better investment.

It Clogs Frequently

Does your toilet require you to plunge more often than once per week? They are also often plagued with random stoppages. It’s not pleasant to have to plunge the toilet on a regular basis.  This may be the sign that it’s time to replace your toilet.

You don’t have to give up the water savings since low-flush toilets have come a long way, and the new line of water savers work much better.

There’s a Porcelain Crack

When water dries out, it shrinks and can break the tank or bowl of a toilet. Small cracks can turn into a flood of water, but if you take precautions, this can be avoided. Porcelain cracks are the source of an active leak. Look for them regularly when you clean the toilet. If you spot a crack, it’s always a good idea to replace the toilet before it completely breaks. If the crack in the toilet bowl is located near the tank, it’s not as urgent to replace the toilet as it may be if the crack is in the toilet. An overlooked leak can ruin your floor in no time.

There Are Visual Scratches

The surface of the toilet porcelain will wear out over time, so make sure to maintain it regularly to keep it clean. There’s no question about it – a new toilet has to be cleaned by a professional, or you could be in trouble! If you keep finding yourself cleaning the toilet more and more often, it could be time to just buy a new one and get it off the hook of cleaning it all the time

In Order to Save Water and Money

Low flushing toilets are easy to install and low-flush models reduce water consumption by half or more. The installation process for these toilets is straightforward, so you can easily add them to your home. You can save a lot of money on your water bill every year by replacing your toilet with a low-flow model. Water saving toilets use considerably less than two gallons of water per flush, so they are a good choice if you live in an area where there’s a water shortage or there’s a risk

Not only are you helping the environment by saving water, but you are also helping yourself save money. With utilities rising so much in recent years, saving on water usage makes sense.

How Long Do Toilet Seats Last?

Generally, toilets should last for about five years. So, it’s reasonable to say that you should replace your toilets every 5-7 years. The duration your toilet will last depends on the material it’s made from, the quality of the installation, and how often you use it. We’ve established that a five to seven year lifespan is a good place to start. However, the exact frequency will depend on some or all of the factors we will look at below.

Materials

Generally, toilet seats are made from either plastic and wood, and they can be padded or not.

The type of plastic used to manufacture toilet seats depends on the type of product. There are different kinds of plastics used to make toilet seats.

Polypropylene is a common and durable plastic material although it yellows over time.

Duroplast is the second type of plastic used in toilet seats. It is very durable and because it does not break down easily, it is not a great for the environment.

Wood toilet seats are not as hard wearing as plastic toilet seats because they are prone to cracking, rotting, and getting worn. If you’re looking for wooden toilet seats that will last for a long time, you should get those that are made from compressed wood. In addition to being less prone to cracking, these toilet seats can last even longer if they are coated with varnish.

It’s best to choose wood or plastic toilet seats instead of padded or cushioned ones. That’s why the outer plastic is prone to cracking, and that can cause a lot of problems when you sit on them while cracked.

Hinges and Accessories

Hinges are crucial to toilet seat safety. If you purchase cheap toilet seats with flimsy hinges, they will be the first point of failure and you’ll need to replace your toilet seat sooner. Accessories such as a toddler seat make it more likely that your toilet will not last as long as it would if it didn’t have one. They are moving pieces, so they create a few points of failure in the assembly.

Amount of Use

Family size affects the life expectancy of your toilet seat, the larger the family you have, the shorter the life expectancy of your toilet seat. Because having a larger family or more people sharing a home increases the frequency of using the bathroom, it’s important to invest in a high-quality toilet. This will increase the number of times the seat is opened and closed, which may affect the hinges and the seat. It might also lead to some banging when closing the seat.

Environment

This mostly applies to wooden seats. They can get wet and start rotting. If the wood is not sealed properly, it will eventually rot. It’s better to have a toilet located away from the shower or bathtub because it will lead to fewer bathroom repairs.

Renovations

Renovations increase the chances of accidents happening, so keep an eye out for hazards.  If a heavy object like a hammer falls on your toilet seat, it might crack, and you might have to get a new one.

Of course, you can always remove the seat and cover the toilet using a different material to protect both your toilet seat and plumbing.

Can I replace a toilet myself?

You might be tempted to replace that old toilet yourself, but there are other ways to save money. After all, what could be more fun? The truth is that toilet installation involves more than just replacing the old toilet.

Most DIYers aren’t familiar with the same installation techniques used by experienced plumbers. If you have a need for plumbing services, the plumber that you select should be a professional. They should know how to use the right tools, seat the toilet properly, avoid leaks and flooding, and know what to look for when it comes to old polybutylene pipes.  They’ll make sure the toilet is installed correctly, and they’ll offer a peace of mind that comes from knowing that the toilet was correctly installed. Incorrectly installed toilets can lead to plumbing problems, leaking, flooding, slow flushing, or an imbalanced toilet. Toilet installation can be tricky if you don’t have the right tools, so be sure to pick a brand that makes them easy to install.

Novice DIYers may be successful with fixing a leaky faucet or a clogged drain, but they may find themselves in over their heads when they try to install the toilet. If an employee does not have the background or the understanding of their job, they can do more harm than good, and cause more problems, then get them fixed faster.

When you hire a professional plumber you’re guaranteed professional service and correct installation, and you get to rest easy knowing you’ve got your hands on a skilled plumber.

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