We rarely give any thought to our bathroom toilets until something goes wrong. A
few months ago, our trusty porcelain toilet from family bathrooms became the centre
of attention, not in a good way. The toilet started with minor leaks, frustrating weak
flushes, and occasional odd noise for a few weeks suddenly overflew during a family
dinner. Lesson learned: ignoring the signs leads to disaster. If your toilet is also
sending distress signals, it’s time to listen before it’s too late.

In this blog, I will share a few signs that you should look out for to avoid a
problematic situation later. There are a few tell-a-tale signs that it’s now time to replace a bathroom toilet.

Clogging

Do you find yourself frequently struggling with a lunge to open the clogged toilet? It’s
a common problem in older toilets. That means you should now think about replacing
a toilet with a newer one. The newer models are highly efficient and are designed to
avoid being clogged.

Flushing problems

Frequent overflows and improper flushing are signs of a problem. They may be
caused by various issues, such as clogged or outdated hardware. In most cases,
you will have to replace the toilet to get rid of this problem.

Constant repairs

In the UK, repairs may sometimes cost more than a new toilet installation. If you feel
like calling a lumberjack often to fix the toilet issue, it may be a better idea to
consider a replacement.

Cracked Toilet Bowl

A toilet bowl may crack due to a variety of reasons. If you see a visible crack in the
bowl, the water may seep out. Repairing is usually not an option, and your only
solution might be to replace the toilet.

Inefficient toilet 

Sometimes, a small flush problem with a washer inside the water tank may lead to
continuously running water. It can easily be repairable by replacing the flushing art of
the toilet. But if you feel like that cost may go beyond installing a new toilet or it is
old, then consider its replacement rather than ending money on calling a plumber. A
DIY fixing may be a good alternative, but it may not always be possible for everyone.

Old age

Modern toilets are designed to be efficient and can withstand a lot of use without
getting into trouble. If your toilet is old, then it is the reason reasonable enough to
consider a toilet replacement.  

Wobbly Base

Sometimes toilet wobbles when you use it. It is a sign that the toilet is not securely
fastened to the floor. Over time, it may lead to water leakages from the bottom and
unstable usage. Water leakages, even in a small quantity, may lead to water
damage. Additionally, the use of wobbly toilets may also be dangerous, especially for
older adults or those with mobility issues.

Outdated Style

A few decades back, toilets were only available in high-rise or low-rise toilets and
have evolved into various styles, such as close-coupled toilets, back-to-wall toilets,
and wall-hung toilets. An outdated toilet may not even have a major issue but may
significantly impact the bathroom’s aesthetics. Moreover, older toilets may use more
water, have performance issues and lack various features like rimless design and
dual flushing mechanism, causing significant loss in terms of costs as well.

Weak Flushes

If the efficiency of the toilet to remove waste has reduced over time, then it’s time to
look for the cause. Most of the time, the flushing tank machine causes the problem.
Changing it may solve the problem, but if you think it’s going to be costly or due to a
different cause, you should consider buying a new toilet.

Gurgling Sounds

Strange gurgling sounds from the bottom of the toilet can be a sign of blockage or a
problem with the sewer line. You should identify the problem first and consider
whether it will require toilet replacement or not. In most cases, if its from the sewer
line, you will need to work out on unclogging that. Over time, the problem may
become severe.

When to Call a plumber?

Many toilet problems can be handled by an experienced DIYer. But if the costs seem
more than the repairs, then you must go for a replacement rather than a repair. Many
chronic issues with old toilets may resurface after repairs. You should call a plumber
if you want a quick fix to the problem or discuss the possibility of replacement.

Which Toilet Should I Choose?

When it comes to choosing a modern toilet, there are many things to consider. It
should be the decision that can be taken without thinking about the size of the
bathroom, the availability of the space, your v, design and style references, features
available and overall bathroom theme.

There is a variety of toilets available, including close-coupled toilets, back-to-wall toilets, and wall-hung toilets. Each toilet type has its pros and cons. For instance, a close-coupled toilet is a common choice for all types of bathrooms, but if space is limited, consider a slimline or short
projection close-coupled toilet. A wall-hung toilet that fits on the wall with a
concealed cistern inside is also an ideal choice for a cloakroom or small bathroom.

However, it will require a higher budget and a sturdy wall to fit the cistern. A back to
wall toilet is all around choice with concealed cistern either in the WC unit or in the
back wall, creating a streamlined look perfect for all types of spaces.

Ending Thoughts

Toilets may last for many years and withstand a lot without creating a problem.
However, there comes a time when even the most reliable toilet may start getting
issues and require a replacement. I have discussed a few common problems that
may be the sign that you should consider for a Bathroom toilet.

ChrissyJ xxx