Whether you recently moved into a new home or live in the same house that you did for years, it’s easy to focus on certain types of projects rather than others. You might want to work on putting down new flooring in your kitchen or adding a fresh coat of paint to your living room walls. It’s always a good time to think about your bathroom and especially your toilet. An old toilet can increase your water bills and leave you feeling uncomfortable when you need to use the restroom. You can look at four clear signs that you need a new toilet.
Constantly Moves
Toilets have two main bolts that secure the base to the floor. One bolt sits on each side of that base. As the base and bolts age, you may find that the toilet no longer sits flush on the floor. This can also happen because the floor suffered from water damage. When you sit down, the toilet will shift from side or side or from front to back. This is a clear sign that you need to replace that old toilet.
Wet and Damaged Floors
Wet and damaged floors can indicate that you need a new toilet for two different reasons. The first is because the wet floor keeps the bolts from having the secure fit that you need. A second reason is that that wet floor is a sign that the toilet leaks. This can also indicate that water overflows from the bowl when you flush, which can happen because of clogs in the line or a clogged trap. A leaking toilet can cause your water bills to increase significantly and keep the toilet from working correctly.
Cracks in the Bowl
A tiny crack inside the toilet bowl isn’t something that should concern you. Tiny cracks may actually be scratches that occurred because of the cleaning supplies that you used in the past. These small cracks are generally safe and won’t harm your toilet bowl. As long as the cracks are below the water line, don’t worry. Cracks that are larger in size and extend past the water line are potentially dangerous. Those cracks can keep expanding and actually let water seep out of the bowl. You also risk the cracks damaging the structural integrity of the bowl, which can make it break into pieces when someone sits down.
Strange Noises
The more time that you spend living in the same home, the more accustomed you grow to the sounds that the house makes. That is why it’s so important that you keep an ear out and listen for any strange or unusual sounds coming from the toilet. Those sounds can include creaking and cracking sounds from the bowl and base when you sit down and hissing noises coming from the tank. A low hissing noise indicates a water leak that usually occurs because you don’t have a good seal. Replacing all the damaged parts can cost more than a Tampa plumber would charge for a new toilet and installation.
To cut down on water bills and to feel more comfortable in your bathroom, you may need a new toilet. Plumbers recommend changing toilets when your old model has cracks in the bowl or you notice other problems.
Author: John Mason
