The toilet is one of the most important plumbing parts in your house. However, most of us don’t pay any attention to this piece of plumbing hardware until something goes wrong with it.
A troublesome toilet will not only disturb your routine but also damage your bathroom flooring. If you keep ignoring the problem, you are most likely to end up spending a fortune on repairs.
That’s why you need to consider the following two factors well in advance:
- When is it the right time to replace the toilet in your Florida home?
- How much does a plumber charge to replace a toilet in Florida?
In this post, we will discuss both these things to help you secure suitable plumbing services in Florida in time.
A. When Should You Replace Your Toilet in Florida?
As mentioned earlier, not replacing your toilet in time can result in higher damage and repair expenses. If you see any of the following signs, be ready to replace your toilet immediately.
1. The Age Factor
In most cases, even if your toilet is a little older, it’ll work just fine. However, you’ll eventually need to replace it as the inner workings will deteriorate over time.
Most old-generation toilets have inefficient water usage. Their modern counterparts, however, come with dual flush, which allows you to save water. So, replacing your old toilet with a new one will not only prevent damage to bathroom flooring but also help you save water and money.
2. Leaks and Cracks
If you can see puddles of water around your toilet after every use, it’s a sign that your toilet tank has developed cracks. If the cracks are minor, you can use a good-quality adhesive to prevent the leaks.
A visual inspection of the inside and outside of the tank can help you identify the cracks. You can also mix a little bit of dye in the water and flush the toilet. The dyed water will start leaking from the cracks.
However, for cracks that can’t be repaired with an adhesive, it is better to get professional advice. Contact a trusted plumber with an excellent track record of offering plumbing services in Florida.
3. Wobbling
A toilet that wobbles or shakes after every use can be a sign of serious plumbing issues. First, however, you should try tightening the bolts to fix the problem. If the problem continues, you may have to replace your toilet.
In this case, the wobbling is most likely caused by a rotting or damaged bathroom floor. So, you will need to seek professional help to repair the flooring.
4. Frequent Clogging
Most toilets will clog once in a while and the most common solution is plunging. However, if it happens frequently, say more than two or three times a week, your toilet will need a replacement.
While plunging may help you remove the clog temporarily, you might need to clean up the pipes if the problem persists. If the clogging has occurred due to mineral buildup in the drainage pipes, you will need to contact a plumber to clean or replace the pipes.
5. Constantly Running Flush
In most cases, the damage to the internal flush assembly can cause it to run unchecked. As a result, the water will keep running through the flush even after you have used the toilet. It will not only waste water but also increase your water bill significantly.
6. Aesthetic Purpose
Sometimes, you may need to replace the toilet as a part of your home renovation. Outdated toilets will not make a great fit in a bathroom with modern fittings. Regardless of the reason, you will need to carefully plan toilet replacement with the help of an experienced professional providing plumbing services in Florida.
B. The Cost of Replacing a Toilet in Florida
According to Home Advisor, toilet installation in the US can cost homeowners anywhere between $219 and $523. This includes the cost of the new toilet and the labor and equipment needed for the installation. However, the actual cost will vary depending on how complex your toilet repair job is and also your location.
Most professionals offering plumbing services in Florida will provide you with a rough estimate over the phone. An experienced plumber, however, will take a look at your toilet first and provide you with a more accurate estimate.
If the plumber finds additional leaks or bathroom floor damage, the cost of your toilet replacement will go up. Also, the labor costs for replacing a toilet in a hard-to-reach area, such as the basement, will be higher than replacing toilets in easily accessible areas.
Make sure your plumber takes all these factors into account before sending you an estimate. Also, ask your plumber if the delivery of the new toilet and disposal of the old one will cost you extra.
Is Homeowner’s Insurance Available for Toilet Replacement?
Homeowner’s insurance is not likely to cover a toilet replacement, as a situation that calls for a toilet replacement can hardly be sudden or caused by a hazard. Insurance plans will not cover the replacement of the seat, lid, tank, or other parts. However, there is an exception for seals and sewage lines.
If your home has water damage from a leaking toilet seal, you may have a claim. First, you have to show that there’s a seal and the damage occurred quickly. You also have to show that you imbibe general maintenance efforts and, in some cases, show that a professional installed the toilet. In some cases, you may even be able to get insurance to cover toilet overflow.
However, some insurance companies offer toilet warranty coverage, which can go a long way in reducing any cost regarding toilet and sewer problems. However, it still won’t cover toilet lids and seats.
Home Care Tips for Your Toilet in Florida
Here are some toilet maintenance tips to help Florida homeowners avoid frequent plumbing issues.
Cleaning
Cleaning is a no-brainer for those looking to keep the toilet hardware in good condition. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect cleaning, which is bad for the toilet hardware.
Ensure you scrub your toilet down once a week; however, keep the toilet bowl clean once a day. This will improve the toilet’s appearance, keep bacteria away, and reduce clogging. Besides, cleaning will also help you stay updated about the state of your toilet. This way, you can detect a leak and fix it faster. You can clean with mild soap and warm water, vinegar, or baking soda.
Flushing
Flushing after every use is basic; however, you must be flushing what a toilet can tolerate. You should keep it strictly on human waste and toilet paper. Avoid flushing down other kinds of paper, cotton bods, diapers, sanitary pads, tampons, or anything else that’s not likely to degrade easily. This will only clog the pipes and the toilet.
When purchasing toilet paper, ensure it degrades easily. Some toilet paper that offers extra comfort and softness may seem good for you but bad for your toilet. Also, don’t overstuff too many toilet papers down the drain, as there’s only so much your sewage line can take. Read more about safe toilet papers here.
Water Softener
If your home runs hard water, you may experience a clogged toilet from time to time. This is because hard water contains minerals that build up in your toilet. So, hard water can contribute significantly to the performance of a toilet and other plumbing fixtures.
It’s best to invest in water softeners to prevent sporadic clogging issues.
Leak Checks
Leaks can occur at any time, and it may be hard to notice if it’s just from a crack in the toilet. The best way to prevent sudden water damage is to conduct frequent leak checks. You should also check thoroughly as leaks may spring up from multiple sources.
One good way to test for leak spots is to add dye or food coloring to the water in the flusher. This way, it will be easier to detect the spots where the water is leaking from.
While you may be able to use adhesive glue to hold things together for a while when it’s a single leak, you should immediately call in a professional for multiple leaks.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Several people use chemical cleaners to unclog toilets and for general cleaning. However, this is not the best. These harsh Chemicals have a long-term effect and can cause severe damage to pipes.
Frequent use of these chemical cleaners may cause your pipes to corrode, leading to sudden pipe bursts and water damage.
Fill Valve Inspection
The fill valve fills the toilet tank with water after flushing. In some cases, leaks may occur if you have a damaged fill valve. To check this, you need to remove the toilet cover and flush the toilet.
Ordinarily, the fill valve will stop running water as soon as the toilet tank is filled up, but if water continues to enter the tank, you can be sure that your fill valve is damaged. On the other hand, a damaged fill valve will stay down and not pump water after flushing.
In either case, you should immediately call a plumbing service in Florida to fix the issue.
Regular Maintenance For Toilet
Apart from self-maintenance checks you can do, calling in a plumbing service to check on your toilet is mandatory for good toilet health. You should have your toilet checked professionally every two years if there’s no issue.
However, you should call a plumber immediately when you notice a problem, such as cracks in your toilet bowl or issues with your fill valve or shut-off valve. This will help you avoid further problems.
Also, while you can fix most clogs with a plunger, you should call a plumber if clogging occurs too often or you have difficulty unclogging. The problem may be deeper than you imagined, so it’s best not to persist with doing it yourself.
Final Thoughts
While you can take care of minor toilet repairs yourself, it is better to hire a plumber for complex tasks such as replacing the toilet. Professionals often have the experience and the tools required to complete the job. Remember, you need a long-lasting solution that can help you save water and money. Hopefully, this post will help you understand when you need to replace your toilet and how much it will cost you.
