For most toilets, a 20-year lifespan is the outer limit. A toilet may continue to work after this, but it will be at a higher risk of starting to leak and suffering from numerous clogs and other repair issues. Get ahead of the problem and replace a toilet that's 20 years or older.
According to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, toilets installed after 1994 must have a flush volume of 1.6 gallons per flush. Toilets manufactured before this policy went into effect used between 3.5 to 5 gallons. The bottom line on aging toilets? If you know your toilet is at least 25 years old, consider replacing it.
Should I Replace My Old Toilet? While your old toilets may technically do their job, they're simply not as efficient as newer models. Not to mention if your old toilets start to show their age by cracking, leaking, or clogging, it's often best to consider toilet replacement rather than repair.
The biggest difference between older toilets and the models available today is the amount of water they use. Toilets manufactured after 1992 need less than half as much water per use as many older units, while providing a better flush and new convenience features.
When drains aren't used for long periods of time, the water barrier can evaporate and leave an open path for sewer odors to enter your home. For this reason, it is important to run water in the shower, sink, and toilet every once-in-a-while.
Excessive Age
Even if your toilet is a little old, it may work just fine. But older toilets are often more inefficient than the newer models, so it may be a good idea to replace your toilet and save some money and water.
While toilets are meant to last several decades, they do have a limit. If you know your toilet has been around longer than you've been alive, then there's a chance that it's likely on its last leg already. A general rule of thumb is to replace a toilet around every 25 years, though your mileage may vary.
A new toilet ranges between $99 to $450, while labor to install a toilet can run between $120 to $230, bringing the total project cost between $210 and $680. This guide will provide you with all the information you need when it comes to the cost to replace or install a toilet.
There are several reasons you may want to consider replacing your toilet even before it reaches the 50-year mark. In addition to breaking down, toilets that are around 30 years old or so may simply be too outdated to work in a modern home.
Older Toilets Use More
Generally speaking, the older the toilet, the more water it uses. Toilets built before 1982 use 5 to 7 gallons per flush. Now, toilets are designed to flush using only 1.6 gallons of water.
Do toilets wear out? Well, no, not actually. The bowl and the tank are built to last for ages. The parts inside the tank, the flush handle, the seat, the lid and the bolts that hold the toilet to the ground and the seal around the base of the toilet may need toilet repair or replacement.
In essence, that depends on your skill level and experience, plus the type of toilet you have. If you've done this before, it should be a piece of cake. However, if it's your first time, and depending on the complexity of the job, it could take anything from one to four hours on average.
One and a half years…that's how long you spend in your bathroom over the course of your life! A poll of 2,500 people revealed that using the toilet accounts for the biggest chunk of time spent in the bathroom – an average of one hour and 42 minutes a week, or almost 92 days over a lifetime.
My basic premise for any toilet restoration is that as long as the porcelain tank and bowl are not cracked, or there are no significant chips and no sections missing, it can be restored. These photos illustrate the process of the toilet rebuilding. The tank and lid are original to my house.
You're going to use your toilet every day for years, so get a good one. Plan to spend $100 to $500 for a gravity toilet and $225 to $600 for a pressure-assist model.
Most toilet problems are easy and inexpensive to repair. As long as your toilet works well, is not physically damaged or cracked, and fits nicely with your bathroom décor, repair is often the best option. A professional plumber can make quick work of nearly any toilet problem, including: Toilet clogs.
Depending on use, a good toilet may last you 50 years. Most toilets are made of porcelain, which lasts a long time. Certain components within the toilet may need to be repaired or replaced more frequently, however. Most of these can and should be replaced without replacing the whole toilet.
As toilets age, they become more vulnerable to cracks. When cleaning your bathroom, be sure to inspect your toilet for any damages and keep an eye out for developing cracks.
The world's oldest toilet is generally thought to be a seat-like structure excavated in Iraq's Tell Asmar. Dating back to around 2200 BC, the brick commode was clearly designed to be used sitting down and utilized water to carry away waste.
Barring there are no other issues, to remove and replace a toilet should take a professional plumber about 30 minutes. If your question has to do with how much should it cost, most plumbers in Midwest charge between $100-$150. Most charge this based on a minimum 1 hour charge.
Replacing and installing a new toilet isn't as hard as it sounds. All you need are a few hours, a helper and the right tools and toilet parts for the job.