Toilet Replacement In Parkland And Coral Springs: Repair vs. Replace

Expecting a toilet to flush quickly and efficiently when pressing down on the handle is what most homeowners expect. If you hear a terrible gurgling sound reminiscent of a grumpy gator, or perhaps see water on your bathroom floor, or even hear the sound of water constantly running, then it’s time to call your local plumber.

Homeowners are often called on to decide whether they should repair or opt for a complete toilet replacement. Sometimes a daunting task, many homeowners feel they don’t have the necessary technical or plumbing skills to make the right decision. We’re going to have a look at what common issues plague toilets in Parkland and Coral Springs and also what you can consider when deciding between toilet repair or replacement.

An Important Decision: Repair vs. Replace?

While it’s true that many minor issues could be fixed by visiting your local hardware store or making a standard service call to your plumber, there’s often more to the problem than meets the eye. Experienced plumbers know the usual suspects, and they are also able to pick up certain irregularities that you as a homeowner might miss. Sometimes, choosing to repair when you should commit to replacing your old toilet becomes a case of throwing good money after bad.

When You Should Opt For Repair

If you have a toilet that is less than 10 – 12 years old, still looks relatively modern, and crucially, does not have any cracks or breaks in the porcelain itself, then a repair is usually going to be the most cost-effective solution.

Most common toilet issues are caused by small components that gradually degrade over time and no longer hold the fine balance required for modern living ablutions. Since these components are usually made of rubber, plastic, or light metals, they are prone to becoming brittle or corroding to a point where they no longer perform as designed. Let’s have a look at some of the common issues that can be repaired by an experienced local plumber.

Constantly Running Toilet

When the water in the tank is constantly trickling, it can waste thousands of gallons per year. The worst part is that you don’t really notice it unless you happen to be nearby when it is happening. The most common reasons for this symptom are a worn-out flapper valve, or a faulty fill valve. These components are easily replaced, quite inexpensive, and will immediately restore your toilet’s baseline functionality.

Weak or Partial Flushing

A weak flush is mostly caused by either a misadjusted flush chain or the small water jet holes around the underside of the rim of the toilet bowl being clogged up by mineral deposits. Your plumber will be able to adjust the chain to its proper tension or clear the holes out mechanically by scraping the build-up clear to open the jets and enable the water to flow freely.

Small Internal Leaks

Sometimes there is a slow, small leak where water is leaking into the bowl and can sometimes be invisible to you, although you may notice the surface tension being disturbed in the bowl. This symptom typically indicates that the flapper or flush valve gasket is no longer seating correctly and requires a timely replacement to save you time and money.

When Toilet Replacement is Necessary

Some issues just can’t be repaired, regardless of your plumber’s skill level. If your fixture is showing any of the following symptoms, then a professional toilet replacement is the most cost-effective and safest course of action.

Hairline Porcelain Cracks

If you happen to notice a small hairline crack in the tank or bowl, then the structural integrity of the toilet fixture is compromised. Porcelain does not heal, and no amount of waiting and wishful thinking will help here. Eventually, the water pressure and weight of use will weaken the bowl, and a catastrophic break could occur. The more pressing issue is the resultant flooding that could occur if this happens when there is nobody home. The water damage could completely destroy flooring, drywall and subfloors. It’s best to contact Magical Plumbing for a toilet replacement before that nightmare becomes a reality.

Recurring Clogs And Slow Drainage

Many homes in Coral Springs are often older properties that were built in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Sometimes these homes still have the original low-flow toilets that were common in that era, and they simply lack the mechanical power to adequately clear waste. The result is that you may find yourself reaching for the plunger multiple times every week. This could be a result of the internal trapway being scaled up by mineral deposits, or the design was more for aesthetic appeal and never had proper functionality as a core design feature.

Wobbly Base or Standing Water

Have you ever experienced that nervous moment when you sit down on a toilet, and it rocks back and forth? This should not happen! Toilets should be completely stable and solid when installed. Additionally, you may notice a damp ring around the toilet base, and this could indicate that your wax ring seal has failed.

While it is possible to pull the toilet away and simply replace the seal, the fact that the toilet is rocking often can be masking a larger issue. Sometimes the closet flange is rotten or broken completely. There could also be damage to the floor area surrounding the flange. If there is a need to restore the floor fully in the area, then a toilet replacement is the best decision to ensure that everything is square, sealed, and stable.

Florida and Limescale

Parkland and Coral Springs in Northwest Broward County sit atop the Biscayne Aquifer which is covered by a large limestone layer that is relatively shallow and only 100 to 150 feet deep in some areas. This results in the water having a high limestone content and contributes to the widespread prevalence of limescale across bathrooms and kitchens in Broward County. Limescale is going to constantly be a problem, and Broward County “hard water” will eventually mean that a call to your local plumber is inevitable.

Hidden Danger: Corroded Shutoff Valve

There is one major problem to look out for in Broward County as a result of the limescale that we are aware of here at Magical Plumbing and that is the shutoff valve into each bathroom.

The limescale build-up can become so significant that the resultant corrosion can render the shutoff valve useless for its purpose. When scheduling a professional toilet replacement, one of our certified plumbers will check this valve immediately upon arrival and replace it in order to ensure a clean and leak-free water supply to the bathroom.

Types of Toilets For Replacement

There are three main types of toilets that a homeowner can choose from, and it’s good to familiarize yourself with the terminology since your plumber may talk about the fixtures in this way. Both toilets can be found in ranges offered in standard and comfort height.

Two-Piece Toilets

This is the standard choice for most South Florida homes and is also the most budget-friendly option. They consist of a separate tank and bowl and are joined together with bolts. They are also the most serviceable toilet fixtures as they are modular in design and only a portion of the toilet needs to be replaced in some instances. It’s usually a breeze to get parts for these fixtures.

Once-Piece Toilets

These sleek, modern alternatives are exactly as their name suggests: the tank and the bowl are one complete unit with no joins. No joins means a continuous surface with no cracks or crevices to trap dirt, which means a simple wipe down is all that’s needed to keep them clean.

Wall Mounted Toilets

Wall mounted toilets make use of a concealed tank that is in the wall, and the bowl is attached to the wall with no base touching the ground. These toilets are ideal for bathrooms that require wheelchair access, or for elderly people with walkers. Wall-mounted toilets are the best option to keep a clean bathroom floor since there is no base to clean around. Since there will be extra work to install them, they are the most expensive of the three options to replace.

Standard Height vs. Comfort Height

The bulk of toilets on the market are offered in standard height, which is usually about 14 to 15 inches off the ground. If you’re looking for something slightly more convenient and easier on your back and knees, then you can ask your plumber to give you some comfort height options. These toilets usually sit slightly higher off the floor at about 17 to 19 inches.

Magical Plumbing Inc: Making Your Toilet Replacement Woes Disappear

At Magical Plumbing, we make your plumbing problems disappear! Our proud history of honest service and excellent technical proficiency means that we strive to leave our customers satisfied every time, with no exceptions!

As a family-owned and operated business, we have helped thousands of satisfied Parkland and Coral Springs families. If you want peace of mind when you need a toilet replacement or repair done in your home, give Magical Plumbing a call at 954-688-9214 to schedule an inspection today.