Most repeat problems are tank parts
A toilet that runs, refills by itself or won't stop hissing almost always has a flapper or fill valve problem. EPA's WaterSense program says flappers wear out and should be replaced at least once every five years. It also suggests a simple dye test once a year: put a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet in the tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing, and see whether the color shows up in the bowl. If it does, the flapper is probably leaking. Flush afterward so the dye doesn't stain the tank.
If the same symptom keeps coming back, write down what was replaced and when. A flapper that fails every few months may be the wrong size, may need adjusting for your toilet model or may be sitting on a worn flush valve seat. Fluidmaster's adjustable flapper instructions, for example, list different settings for different toilet models. A flapper that only looks similar isn't proof it fits. Using the water meter to check for a hidden leak shows how to confirm whether water is still being lost after a repair.
Signs the toilet itself is the problem
- Cracked porcelain. A crack in the tank or bowl can't be fixed with a part. If you see one, or water is seeping from the china itself, stop using the toilet and have a plumber look at it.
- Water on the floor around the base. That usually points to the seal under the toilet or a loose mount, which a plumber can typically fix by resetting the toilet. A crack in the bowl is the exception.
- Clogs or weak flushes that keep returning. Ask whether the restriction is in the toilet or in the drain line beyond it. A new toilet won't fix a drain problem. Why a toilet gurgles when another fixture drains covers the signs of a venting or drain issue.
Don't try to stop a leak by cranking down on the bolts or nuts. Fluidmaster's instructions say to hand-tighten only, and warn that overtightening can crack the fill valve or the tank and cause flooding.
Check how much water it uses
Age matters mostly because of flush volume. EPA's water-efficiency guide for bathrooms says toilets installed since 1994 use 1.6 gallons per flush or less, while ones installed between 1977 and 1994 typically use about 3.5 gallons and ones installed before 1977 about 5. Don't rely on the date alone. EPA's WaterSense toilet sheet says to check the gallons-per-flush marking on the fixture or inside the tank, and to note the make and model number while you're at it.
WaterSense-labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, which EPA says is 20 percent below the federal standard of 1.6, and they're independently certified for flushing performance. EPA estimates that an average family replacing old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense models can cut toilet water use by 20 to 60 percent, nearly 13,000 gallons a year, and save more than $170 a year on water. That's a national average. Replacing a 1.6-gallon toilet saves far less than replacing a 3.5- or 5-gallon one, so work out your own number from the flush volume you found and your water and sewer bill.
Philadelphia permit rules
The City of Philadelphia says a plumbing permit isn't needed for minor repairs with the same material, including replacing parts and valves, for stopping leaks and clearing stoppages, or for removing and reinstalling a toilet when no pipes or fixtures are replaced or moved. Swapping the toilet for a new one is a fixture replacement, which the City lists as work that needs a plumbing permit. A licensed master plumber can apply as your agent. If you're in Bucks or Montgomery County, ask your township, since permit rules vary by town.
What to ask the plumber
- What exactly failed, and why didn't the last repair hold?
- Which part are you installing, and how did you confirm it fits this model?
- Is the porcelain cracked anywhere, and can you show me?
- If I replace it, what's the price for the toilet, labor, disposal and any new seal or supply line, as separate lines?
- Does the new toilet fit the existing rough-in and connections, and who pulls the permit?
- Will you check for leaks and test the flush after the work?
Ask for the repair and the replacement priced separately. That way you're comparing two real numbers instead of a general recommendation.