With a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in business, Handy Man Repairs, Inc. CEO David Carter has become well-known for his home renovation and remodeling work throughout the state of Mississippi. In this article, he explains when homeowners will know it is time to replace an old toilet.
Theoretically, a homeowner should never, ever have to replace his toilet. That is, unless you are just changing the look or the style. The reason for this is because, other than if you get a crack in the tank or a crack in the bowl, every other part of the toilet can be reworked, repaired, or rebuilt. So there should never be any issue that requires you to purchase an entirely new toilet.
Starting at the floor, if you are having a problem with your wax rings, those can be replaced for under $5 most of the time. So that is an easy fix to make. From there, if you have experiencing issues with your fill valve that can be replaces for anywhere from $7 to $15, depending on the quality of the fill valve you are purchasing. Flapper valves can be replaced as well, and those do not have to cost a lot, either.
Even the toilet seat can be replaced, either because you have got a crack or because you are looking for another style. The bolts that hold the seat on can be easily taken on and off, and once again, that is a project that can be done without spending a lot of money.
For the most part, any valve or other part of a toilet can be bought at hardware stores separately or as part of a larger kit. And these are important pieces that can extend the life of your toilet without costing you a lot in the process.
So really, unless you are just changing the style or the color, or you have got a crack in the porcelain, there is really no need to ever change out your toilet.
