Toilets are essential in our lives. Whether you use a traditional toilet or a high-tech bidet, it’s important to know how long your toilet is going to last. A lot of it depends on how often you use it.
Toilets generally last about 15 years but can last a lot longer if they are taken care of. After a while, people might want to change their toilet for hygienic reasons. After 10 years you might detach them to clean them (especially if you have chalk in the water).
A thorough cleaning every 2-3 months will ensure that you get the most out of your toilet and make it last as long as possible for you. Here are a few ways to keep your toilet clean and lasting for years.
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How do you know when to replace a toilet?
Once a toilet is dirty or starts to leak, it is time to replace it. It is also possible that you see cracks in it.
All of this can lead to water leaks. These can be expensive as it can take a while before you notice this. If you are not at home, a bathroom can be flooded by the time you see what is going on.
This is why plumbers recommend that you replace it every 15-20 years to avoid problems. A small crack can lead to big damage!
It might sound weird to replace a toilet that is working perfectly but it is a good idea to do this. Toilets have a lot of seals and small parts that can break over time. This can create a lot of damage.
Replacing a toilet is not that difficult but it needs to happen precisely. This is why most people hire a plumber to do this for them. We have discussed how much plumbers charge in the USA here.
It is also possible that your toilet smells bad or that there are other issues that indicate that you will have to replace it. Some people want a bigger or higher toilet once they get older.
How to clean your toilet to make it last longer
A thorough cleaning every 2-3 months will ensure that you get the most out of your toilet and make it last as long as possible for you.
Toilet bowls should be cleaned when they start collecting grime and debris. This will help ensure that the bowl stays as clean as possible. The frequency of cleaning also depends on what type of toilet you have. If you use toilets with a wash cycle, then you don’t need to clean your toilet very often.
If you have an older style toilet where water is flush in the bowl, then it’s important to keep an eye on how much water is being used in the bowl and clean more frequently. Other items that can help extend the life of your toilet are using disinfectants like bleach or vinegar in between scrubbings.
Cleaning the toilet tank can also be a great idea. This should be done at least every year. Opening the toilet tank is not always easy if it is a hanging toilet. This requires that you remove multiple parts. It is a great idea to take pictures so that you know how to fit each piece back together.
A new toilet seat can have a significant impact on how long your toilet lasts. When shopping around for a new seat, take note of what’s available in your budget range, what features you need, and how sturdy the seat has to be.
It might be worth spending just a bit more money because buying something that has been tested is always less risky than buying something cheap and hoping it’ll last long enough for you to recoup your investment.
What are the best toilet brands to buy?
Brands like Toto, Kohler, and American Standard are some of the most popular toilet brands. These brands are known for their quality and durability. They also produce toilet parts that are easy to install. If you’re in the market for a brand new toilet, these brands have a wide range of affordable options that will work for your home.
Another reliable brand is Eljer. This company has been around since 1887 and is known for its durable products. It also offers a variety of models with different features, which means you can choose the one that is right for your needs.
There are many materials that a toilet is made out of. Some common materials are porcelain, ceramic, vitreous china, stainless steel, and brass. Each type of material has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
For example, porcelain and ceramic are breakable. These are the most commonly used materials though as they look nice and are quite cheap to make. If you have a stainless steel toilet, you should use silver polish regularly to avoid buildup on it.
Common issues with toilets: things that get worn out and need to be replaced
Toilets are one of the biggest pieces of equipment in your bathroom, so it’s important to take care of them. Here are some common issues that can impact the life span of your toilet:
* Toilet bowl stains are common and can be cleaned with a cloth dipped in diluted bleach. If you need help getting rid of stains, you can use sealers or disinfectants to loosen up the stains.
* Using too much toilet paper will cause your toilet to clog easily, which will cause problems for your whole house. Wet wipes shouldn’t be flushed as these clog together. A plumber might have to use a water jet to get these out of your drains. This can be quite expensive so it should be avoided.
*The flapper can break down after a while. Luckily replacing one is quite easy
*There can be a problem with the water supply. Make sure that there are no leaks in your system as this can lead to a lot of damage. It is not always possible to see these as they can happen behind a wall or under a floor. To check if you have a water leak, you turn off all your taps and devices that use water.
Then you check the water meter and write down the number (the water meter can be in your garage or outside). You wait 15 minutes and see if the water meter has moved. If it hasn’t, you probably don’t have a leak.
If the water meter has moved quite a lot, you might investigate the situation further. This can be done by repeating the test while you close certain parts of your water system using the valve on them. Leaks have to be fixed as soon as possible.
The wax ring helps to seal the toilet. The seal helps to conserve water and waste. The wax ring has an important role in the overall performance of your toilet. If this breaks, you often have to replace the toilet as well.
It can lead to significant damage as it might take some time before you notice that it has broken as it is not easily visible. Therefore this part needs to be installed well.
A lot of parts start to wear out after 15-20 years and it can be a good idea to replace a toilet at this time to avoid water leaks. Water can damage the drywall and floor of your house.
Things to never flush in your toilet
A lot of people don’t know that they should not flush anything in the toilet. One thing you might have flushed is a tampon. Tampons are designed to absorb liquids, so it’s a good idea to only use them during their active period and throw them away afterward.
You can dispose of used tampons by pouring them on top of the toilet bowl so that when it falls through it won’t make a mess inside your toilet.
Another thing many people do is flush paper towels or napkins after using them. This will make a big mess in your toilet because these materials aren’t meant for toilets. To prevent this from happening, always place wet wipes or paper towels inside the holder provided with your toilet.
Another thing that many people might do is flush diapers or sanitary napkins down their toilets after their use-by date has passed. This can cause clogs and ultimately problems with your sewer lines, so be sure to throw any used diapers or sanitary napkins in the garbage and avoid clogging your pipes by disposing of them properly.
In some countries, such as the Azores you can’t flush toilet paper. In other countries, such as France it shouldn’t be a problem to flush toilet paper.
Finally, never flush anything that could potentially harm fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants down your toilet.
Don’t flush cat litter, hair, or food scraps either as these can clump together as well. Use your toilet what is designed: remove human waste.
Sealing toilets to avoid dirt under it
You can seal your toilet with some silicone to prevent dirt from going under it and potentially even leaks. This is an easy DIY project that will make a big difference in the life span of your toilet. It’s easy to take care of and will prolong the life of your toilet by decades.
We have discussed how to use silicone here.
To conclude, we can state that toilets can last a long time if they are taken care of. You have to clean them often and don’t flush things that shouldn’t be flushed.
