The bathroom is the room in the house that uses the most water, and the toilet is the appliance responsible for the biggest share of that water consumption. In fact, toilets can account for 40% of the water bills you pay every month. Obviously, this is one of the most vital plumbing installations for your home—and one that won’t last forever. An old toilet can start to create a variety of problems, and eventually you’ll need to call licensed plumbers who handle bathroom plumbing services to install a new one.

How can you tell that your old toilet is ready to be replaced? Here are a few things to look for:

• Water waste – Older toilets use much more water than current models. Even newer toilets that are not specifically designed as low-flow models use on average two to three gallons less per flush than a toilet manufactured more than 20 years ago. If your water bills still seem higher than they should be, perhaps it’s time to put in a new toilet.
• Cracks in the porcelain – Even a hairline crack along the toilet bowl or tank is a problem. The crack will only widen, leading to water leaks that can ruin the floor of the bathroom. There isn’t any way to repair these cracks: the best solution is either to replace the bowl or replace the whole toilet.
• Repeated clogging – Do you keep the toilet plunger handy because the toilet tends to clog up on a regular basis, week to week, even day to day? This isn’t normal, and you shouldn’t accept it. Have plumbers look into it and see if it’s time to replace the toilet.
• Constant repairs – As an old toilet wears down, it will require regular repair jobs on the flapper, the handle, the gaskets between the tub and bowl, and the fill valve. If these repairs are adding up over the year, consider having a brand new toilet put in.

For all your home services needs in Durham, NC, rely on the professionals at Bud Matthews Services.