Top Tips for Keeping a Toilet in Good Condition for a Long Time

Did you know that, according to industry estimates, the average lifespan of a typical modern toilet is about 10 to 15 years? However, with proper care, plumbers believe it can last up to 50 years. To lend credence to this, a house featuring a 100-year-old working toilet was highlighted in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in 2020.

While replacing a toilet in your home is not exceedingly expensive nor complicated, having a toilet that is out of commission can still be a significant inconvenience, especially for large families. Aside from the hassle of sharing one working toilet among multiple people (or worse, not having one to use at all), an out-of-service toilet can also lead to an excessively high water bill due to unchecked leaks.

To avoid frequent toilet issues and the need for replacement, it’s crucial to learn how to maintain your toilet properly. Here are a few tips for you to consider:

Regularly Check for Leaks

One of the first steps in toilet maintenance is checking for leaks, which can be a silent culprit in water wastage. Look for signs such as the constant sound of running water or hissing in the tank, water on the floor around the base of the toilet, an unexpectedly high water bill, or the need to jiggle the handle to stop the toilet from running. 

You may also notice signs of rust or corrosion around fittings or experience phantom flushes, where the toilet flushes itself without being used. These symptoms suggest a leak either from the tank into the bowl or from the toilet onto the floor. 

If you’re not confident enough to fix the leak in your toilet, you can always call professional plumbing services in your area. For instance, if you reside in Dunedin, New Zealand, simply go online and type “plumbing Dunedin” to get a list of plumbers. From there, you’ll find a list that includes Mains Plumbers, a small but reliable team of plumbing experts who can diagnose and fix all your plumbing problems.

Properly Flush Your Toilet

Flushing correctly is crucial for the health of your toilet. While some people may treat one like a trash bin, a toilet is designed only for human waste and flushable toilet paper. Flushing non-degradable items such as wet wipes (even those labelled as flushable), hygiene products, and excessive amounts of paper can lead to blockages. Frequent toilet clogs can then result in burst pipes, leaks, and increased wear and tear on toilet components.

Therefore, it's important to educate everyone in your household, especially children, about what should and should not be flushed. This practice helps ensure the toilet's longevity and effectiveness.

Keep a Consistent Cleaning Routine

Maintaining the cleanliness of your toilet is essential for aesthetics, hygiene, and functionality. In addition to preventing the spread of disease and maintaining a welcoming bathroom environment, regular cleaning of toilet surfaces also prevents the buildup of minerals and waste that can corrode internal components.

It’s advisable to clean your toilet at least once a week using a mild cleaner and a toilet brush to preserve its condition and functionality. Additionally, avoid using bleach tablets or those highly popular blue-tinted automatic cleaners inside the tank, as they can degrade the internal mechanisms.

Manage Hard Water

Hard water can lead to mineral deposits in your toilet, which not only looks unsightly but can also impede its function. These deposits can accumulate in the pipes and fixtures, causing a reduction in water flow.

If you live in an area with hard water, a water softening system might be a good idea. In New Zealand, popular water softening systems include ion exchange units, magnetic water conditioners, and electronic descalers.

These are designed to reduce water hardness, thereby protecting plumbing and appliances from limescale buildup. For a more practical solution, you can regularly clean the toilet with vinegar to help dissolve minor calcification and keep the flush holes around the rim clear.

Regularly Inspect Shut-Off and Fill Valves

To keep your toilet in good shape, ensure that both the shut-off valve and the fill valve inside the tank are in good working condition. The shut-off valve controls the flow of water to your toilet, while the fill valve controls water refilling the tank after a flush. Over time, these components can wear out or become clogged, leading to running toilets or insufficient flushes.

Check these components annually and replace them if necessary to keep everything running smoothly. Replacing the shut-off and fill valves of a toilet is generally straightforward and can often be done as a DIY project. It typically involves shutting off the water supply, draining the tank, and then removing and replacing the old valves with new ones.

Know When to Call the Professionals

While many toilet issues can be handled with DIY methods, there are times when professional help is either recommended or absolutely needed. Rather than waste your time or risk making the situation worse, seek the help of reliable and professional plumbers who have years of experience fixing toilets.

If you encounter persistent blockages, leaks, or problems with flushing that your home toolkit can’t fix, it might be time to call in emergency plumbing services. This is particularly true if you notice a sewage smell or water seeping from the base, which could indicate more serious issues.

Maintaining your toilet is an important part of home management. Through these simple yet effective tips, you can ensure that your toilet operates efficiently, remains hygienic, and continues to serve your household without the need for frequent repairs.

Start implementing these best practices today and observe the difference in your toilet’s performance and durability. Do you have pressing issues with your toilet and plumbing? At Mains Plumbers, we have an emergency plumber on call, as well as licensed gas fitters and certified drainlayers who work on industrial and commercial drainlaying. For Dunedin residents and business owners needing plumbing work, Mains Plumbers offers years of plumbing expertise. Visit our website or call our number to learn more about our services.