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How to Know That It’s Time for a New Toilet

New toilet installed in bathroom.

Let’s be honest — the only time any of us wants to think about our toilet is when we’re using it. Once it does what it needs to do, we want to forget about it and move on with our day. 

Unfortunately, toilets won’t last forever, and there comes a time when we’ve got to face the music and deal with getting a new one. When that time comes, you’ll want to spot the warning signs early. These key signs will point you in the right direction when your toilet needs to be replaced.

Your Water Bill Is Through the Roof

When your water bill suddenly shoots up, your toilet might be the sneaky culprit behind those rising costs. More accurately, your leaking or running toilet can be the problem. A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day! The problem often starts with a worn-out flapper valve or a faulty fill valve that keeps your toilet tank constantly running water.

You might notice the sound of water running, even when nobody’s used the bathroom recently. Sometimes, it’s subtle, with just a quiet hiss in the background. Other times, it’s more obvious, with water visibly moving in the toilet bowl. Either way, if you’ve tried basic toilet repair and the issue keeps coming back, you’re probably looking at needing a replacement toilet. And if you’ve got a toilet leak causing your water bill to rise, you’ve definitely got to get that checked out ASAP (we’ll get into that more in a moment).

Modern water-efficient toilets use way less water per flush than older toilets, sometimes less than half as much. So, while buying a new toilet might seem expensive upfront, the water-saving benefits often pay for themselves through lower water bills within a year or two.

Constant Clogging Is Driving You Crazy

Nobody likes dealing with a clogged toilet, but if you’re plunging more than you’re flushing, that’s a real problem. Frequent clogs mean your toilet isn’t handling waste properly anymore, even with normal amounts of toilet paper. While sometimes constant clogging points to a sewer line issue, it’s usually a sign that your toilet’s getting too old to do its job right.

Older toilets, especially first-generation low-flow models, often struggle with inefficient flushing. They might have built up mineral deposits in the rim jets and trap way that make it harder for them to create a strong flush. When your toilet starts having a weak flush that can’t handle solid waste properly, it’s a sign that your plumbing system needs attention.

Think about how often you’re reaching for that plunger. If it’s becoming a weekly (or even daily) ritual, you’re probably well past due for a toilet replacement.

Cracks and Leaks Are Appearing

Finding water around your toilet base is never good news. While sometimes it’s just a worn-out wax ring that needs replacing, cracks in the porcelain are a different story. These cracks might start tiny. They may be so small you barely notice them. But porcelain doesn’t heal itself, and those hairline cracks will only get bigger over time.

Water leaking from cracks can seriously damage the floor beneath your toilet. By the time you notice visible water damage, that moisture might have been seeping into your flooring for months. This can lead to expensive repairs well beyond just the cost of a replacement toilet. Imagine seeing your toilet flush waste right back into your home!

Your Toilet’s Getting Old and Rickety

Just like everything else, toilets have a lifespan. The average toilet can last about 20–25 years, but that doesn’t mean it should. If your toilet’s old enough to vote, it’s probably not working as efficiently as it could be. Older toilets often waste water and need frequent repairs just to keep working.

The parts inside your toilet tank wear out over time. While you can keep replacing the flapper valve, fill valve, and other components, at some point, you’re just throwing good money after bad. If you find yourself calling for toilet repair services more than once a year, replacing your entire toilet might actually save you money in the long run.

Newer toilets come with features that older models just can’t match. Think about how your favorite products have changed over the last 20 years. Smartphones can fold now! Similarly, there are plenty of efficient and effective toilets out there that can improve your life and peace of mind and help you save some money.

Strange Wobbles and Noises Have Started

When your toilet starts making weird noises or wobbles when you sit down, pay attention. These are often signs that something’s seriously wrong. A wobbling toilet might mean the floor beneath has been damaged by water, or the flange that connects your toilet to the sewer line is failing. Unusual noises like gurgling, phantom flushes, or hissing sounds usually mean internal parts are failing. 

While some noises can be fixed with simple repairs, when they keep coming back, it’s often a sign that your toilet’s fundamental parts are wearing out. At this point, replacing your toilet becomes more cost-effective than continuing to repair it.

Don’t Flush Money Down the Drain

For Phoenix residents (and really, anyone), talking about toilets might feel strange. But you know what’s even stranger? Watching your hard-earned cash disappear because you ignored problems with your toilet for too long. When your toilet starts showing signs it can’t handle its duties anymore, give us a call right away. 

At Rite Way of Phoenix, we can replace plumbing fixtures like toilets, and we offer emergency plumbing services around the clock so you can get the fixes you need before small problems turn into big headaches.

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Rite Way of Phoenix

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