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How long does a toilet typically last? Could you hazard a guess?
One of the most used fixtures in your home, a typical toilet can last you between 10 and 15 years. It could require occasional repairs, or you may have been lucky and not had many issues with it. If you’re constantly needing to call a plumber, however, you’re probably better off looking for a new one.
Before you get started, consider these factors: the size and shape of the bowl, as well as the type of rough-in required, says Ashleigh at Heritage Home Hardware.
How do you know it’s time to actually replace your toilet? Start by assessing your existing toilet’s performance, then your household needs and budget. The following are the three main reasons to replace a toilet.
It’s broken or malfunctioning
Having to repair a toilet is a fairly common occurrence, but if the issues are frequent and recurring, you might want to consider replacing it outright. These issues could signal that it’s time for a new toilet: constant clogging or flushing problems that don’t stop after a repair, a cracked bowl or tank—these can cause leaks or damage the structure of your toilet over time, the tank won’t stop running or you notice the toilet leaking.
Another red flag? Endless repairs. While minor fixes don’t necessarily indicate a significant issue, if you find a lot of upkeep is required to keep your toilet in working order, it’s likely a good time to buy a new one.
Bathroom renovations
Usually when you’re doing an overhaul of your bathroom, you’ll also want to install a brand-new toilet. You might be changing the décor in your bathroom and want to have a new toilet to match. You could be updating your home and want to replace any older fixtures. The other scenario is that you’ve just moved in and are doing a remodel, modernizing the place.
The desire to keep water costs low
If you’ve happened to notice a spike in your water bills, it could be caused by an old or damaged toilet. Broken toilets require more water when flushing to ensure waste goes down the drain. Replacing it with a new, efficient one can help to lower these costs.
You might also want to consider a water-saving toilet as an option; it can help to both lower your water bills and reduce your impact on the environment. WaterSense toilets, for example, use up to 60% less water when flushing than standard toilets do.
You might also want to consider these factors before purchasing a new toilet
Shape
There are two shapes of toilet bowls: round and elongated. Round bowls are more compact and are ideal for smaller bathrooms. Elongated bowls are slightly more comfortable; two inches longer, they offer more support for your thighs.
Style
Think about colour, tank type and profile. Still need help? Check out Heritage Home Hardware’s Toilet Buying Guide for a breakdown of the possibilities.
Height
Choose from one of two heights: standard or comfort. Standard height is 35.5 to 38 cm from the ground and is ideal for children and average-height adults. Comfort height is 40.5 cm or more; it’s the best choice for taller and older adults, as well as people with leg and back issues.
Where it will be used
For a small powder room that is used frequently, a durable standard toilet is your best option. For a personal or ensuite bathroom, on the other hand, go ahead and choose a specialised or more stylized toilet.
Special plumbing requirements
You’ll want to make sure that your new toilet aligns properly and is easy to install. To do this, check the existing pipe sizes and dimensions to make sure they’ll fit the new toilet’s plumbing. You should also determine the length of the water line and leave enough space to install a shut-off valve—this allows you to shut off the water to this specific toilet, rather than turning off the water for the entire house.
You’ll also need to determine whether or not drain and vent lines need to be installed. Finally, Ashleigh recommends that you verify any local building and plumbing code requirements first, to make sure you’re staying within area guidelines.
The length of your rough-in matters too. A rough-in is the distance from the wall to the centre of the toilet drainpipe; getting this right is essential to ensuring that your new toilet will actually fit into your space.
One of the biggest reasons to replace an older toilet is that you get to enjoy some of the newer features offered. Newer models let you select the type of flush, from single-flush, dual-flush or touchless. Others have water-saving options, as discussed above; WaterSense or low-flow toilets can help to lower your water bill.
For more information about replacing a toilet, visit Heritage Home Hardware or call 705-759-5101.