There is a lot of attention devoted to what we call the wet area of the bathroom. This is the bathing area;  whether it’s a bathtub, shower, or combination of both, we certainly spend lots of time talking about it. It’s an important part of any bathroom for sure, the world would smell a lot worse for the wear without them. But today we are looking at a bathroom fixture that changed the world as we know it. An innovation so game-changing that lack of access to it is still negatively impacting large portions of the developing world. This amazing development is, of course, the toilet.

Yes, the source of so much grade school humour and so-called “impolite” conversation, has had a revolutionary impact on the modern world. The toilet as we know has only been in use since the late 19th century, but there have been countless iterations throughout all of human history, many of which are still in use the world over. This topic can make for an interesting read the next time you are in for a long sit (maybe you are there right now).

But we won’t be diving into the messy history of toilets, sorry for the imagery, we are going to talk about your modern toilet. Specifically what to do when it isn’t feeling quite so modern anymore.  

Like any appliance or home fixture, no matter how current and chic it was at the time of purchase, give it twenty years and it will look more and more out of place as your home’s style and decor changes around it. This can start to cause reluctance to show off your home to guests and even cause you to hate going into the bathroom, something that just can’t be avoided (at least not for very long).

So when should you replace your old toilet? 

It may seem vain or superficial, but when you are dealing with something that you have to interact with daily, appearances matter. Having an old toilet that has persisted as the bathroom has changed around it can be an eyesore that can cause a level of stress every time you retreat into what should be a home’s sanctuary. Sometimes it’s the mint green porcelain that just hasn’t aged well into the 21st century, or maybe it’s the wooden seat and lid that you just never feel come quite as clean as you want.

The surface of even the most beautiful toilet will become worn over years of regular scrubbing. This can lead to scuffing and staining that can cause it to never really look clean. Not to mention hard water stains that can leave nasty streaks through the bowl. Not the best look for your guests or yourself.

Any toilet can become clogged, whether through normal use or maybe a curious little mind wanted to see if a full roll of toilet paper could be sent spiralling down that mysterious hole. But if your toilet is aged and clogging more often that you would expect, that a big problem.

A clogged toilet could be the result of a plumbing issue further along the journey from the toilet to the sewer or septic, but backups can happen closer to the source in an old toilet. Unless you like plunging and splashing, you may want to replace it.  

Older toilets weren’t made with water conservation in mind. Today we better understand the danger in needlessly wasting a precious resource so often taken for granted. Today’s toilets use as little as half the amount of water per flush as their antiquated counterparts. Many come with the option of a dual flush handle. A lower flow flush for liquid waste and a higher flow flush for solid waste.

Not only does this have a lasting benefit to our community’s infrastructure and the long-term conservation effort for future generations, it saves you money on your water bill. It’s a win-win situation.

If your toilet is always in need of repairs; a broken chain, a loose seat, a torn flapper, then it might be worth your while to replace the whole thing and not have to worry about all the little pieces.

Most concerning though is if you notice a crack in the porcelain. Even the smallest crack could be causing an unnoticed but damaging leak. And worse still, that tiny split could spread in an instant resulting in a sudden flood of hopefully unused toilet water. If you notice a crack of any kind it’s a good idea to replace your toilet as soon as you can.

If you feel like your toilet is ready for retirement, and you would like to get a new one as part of your bathroom renovation give us a call or book an in-home or showroom appointment online. Some people tell us we’ve got potty mouths, I think they mean we can talk toilets all day.