There’s a reason why the toilet is commonly referred to as “the throne.” The toilet is an essential plumbing fixture in your home. You need your home’s toilets to function properly because their failure to do so can result in worst-case scenarios such as an overflowing or leaking toilet.

The nickname “throne” conveys durability and stability, but just like any other household fixture or appliance, toilets don’t last forever and will need to be replaced. The question to be answered isn’t, “Does my toilet need to be replaced,” but “When does my toilet need to be replaced.” How do you know when it’s time to take this step with your bathroom plumbing in Tumwater, WA ? Let’s take a deep dive into the answer.

Just like with any major appliance or system, its age is its biggest determinant in how long it’ll last. For most toilets, the expected lifespan is 20 years. Although your toilet may continue to function fine after this point, it’s at a higher risk of starting to leak and clog. You can get ahead of any potential plumbing disasters by replacing a toilet that’s 20 years or older.

Old toilets waste a lot of water. That’s because they weren’t really designed to be water efficient. New toilets are designed to be more eco-friendly and use less water than their predecessors. In fact, low-flush toilets use a considerably smaller amount of water compared to toilets from a decade ago. 

According to government plumbing standards, a low-flush toilet must use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush to earn that moniker. This might still sound like a lot. But if your outdated toilet was manufactured after 1980, it uses at least 3.5 gallons per flush. If your toilet is even older, it uses 5-7 gallons per flush!

It doesn’t take a mathematician to calculate how much water wastage this adds up to. When you consider that a toilet typically accounts for 40% of your home’s daily water use, then multiply this across every household in the US, those numbers really add up! Upgrading your old toilet will save a lot of water and lower your utility bill.

Is your old toilet prone to problems? Do you often have to flush it twice to get everything down? Does it clog more often than you’d like? Although issues with the toilet clogging could be a sign of issues with the sewer line itself, you’d have issues with other drains as well. If it’s just the toilet that’s clogging on a regular basis, it’s too old to work properly and is due for replacement. 

Leaks are always bad news. If you ever see water leaking from the toilet, that’s a call for repairs that should be made sooner rather than later. It doesn’t matter if it’s happening where the toilet connects to your floor or if it’s on the toilet itself. Leaks are something that need to be addressed ASAP. A professional plumber will determine if it can be repaired but it may be a sign that it’s time for a replacement.

For expert bathroom plumbing services, contact Brooks Plumbing Co. today!

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