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Most professional plumbers will tell you a toilet can last for around 20 to 25 years.

How long has your toilet been in place?

It can be difficult to tell. If your toilet was badly installed or poorly maintained, there are many signs it may need to be replaced before its time.

How do you know when a toilet needs to be replaced?

1) Regular clogs and blockages

One of the most unpleasant signs your toilet needs to be replaced is regular drain clogging caused by normal use.

Of course, children could have flushed toys or other items. The problem could also be further down the pipe, which is why it’s a good idea to get a regularly blocked toilet checked by a professional.

If normal use is causing clogs frequently, it’s probably time to look into toilet replacement.

2) Cracking

Cracks in toilets can’t always be seen. The most common sign of a crack is water pooled around the base.

Sometimes, a crack above the waterline in the tank can be repaired. However, a crack below the waterline will probably necessitate replacing the entire tank.

At that point, it’s likely more economical to replace the entire toilet.

3) Serious age

That 20 to 25 year toilet lifespan estimate depends on many factors. It also refers to the overall fixture rather than internal components. These age much faster.

If you know for a fact that your toilet is over 25 years old, it may be worth replacing it.

4) Needs constant repair

Most toilets require repair every once in a while. If you find yourself regularly picking up the phone to call your local plumbers, it’s time to consider your options.

The most cost-effective choice might be toilet replacement now to save the cost of ongoing repairs in the long run. Ask an experienced technician for advice.

5) Repeat flushing required

Modern toilets use two gallons of water or less every flush. Older toilets more commonly use three or even five gallons per flush.

This is a significant waste of water, especially when flushing is inefficient and needs to be repeated. That’s bad for your water bill and it’s not great for the environment either.

If either of these are a concern, updating your toilet to a new model will pay dividends over time.

6) Instability

With a newer toilet, a little wobble is likely just a sign something inside needs to be tightened.

Older toilets that feel unstable might have an underlying cause. Leaking pipes can cause water damage and eventually lead to a floor collapse.

If you notice an older toilet feels unstable, you’ll need a professional to check it out.

Get expert advice before replacing your toilet

If you’re trying to work out whether it’s time to replace your toilet, consult an expert.

An experienced technician can help you work out the most cost-effective approach to toilet repair or replacement, ensuring you’re not wasting your money and that your bathroom is in full working order.

Need expert advice on toilet replacement or repair?

Let’s talk it over. Family-owned and operated, Son-Rise Plumbing and Gasfitting has been caring for Calgary residents since 1983.

Garbage disposals can be a handy addition to your kitchen, but they can also be a serious issue for your plumbing system if used incorrectly.

The last thing you want is to repair or replace your garborator. Here’s how to prevent garbage disposal problems from ruining your day:

Garbage disposal problems and how to avoid them

1. Don’t put everything down the garbage disposal

There are some things you should never use your garbage disposal for:

• Dense vegetables – anything that’s fibrous, such as celery, onion skins or corn husks.
• Grease, fat, and cooking oils – will clog your drain after they solidify. Try using paper towels to mop up oil from pans and disposing of them instead.
• Egg shells – can stick to pipes, clogging them and potentially creating sulphurous smells.
• Expandable foods – things like pasta or rice are starchy and can expand with prolonged water exposure.
• Bones, pits and seeds – can jam your disposal as well as dull the blades.
• Non-food items – things like metal, paper, plastic, or glass.

2. Don’t try to grind large chunks of food

Your waste disposal will struggle with large chunks of food, potentially even jamming or breaking entirely.

Instead, chop waste food into smaller pieces and put those pieces in a few at a time.

3. Don’t let your disposal sit idle

You’ll experience fewer garbage disposal problems if you run your disposal on a regular basis.

Even if you find you don’t have much or any food to dispose of, run your disposal every couple of days. This will help avoid sticking, corrosion, and smells or other issues caused by trapped food.

4. Don’t use hot water

Always use cold water when you run your garbage disposal. This will keep the food as solid as possible, maximizing your disposal’s ability to chop it up.

Hot water will tend to turn food into mush that sticks to the sides and pipes.

5. Don’t stop the moment the food is gone

Keep running your garbage disposal with cold water for at least an extra minute after it’s finished grinding the waste. This prevents food from ending up trapped in the pipe.

Another sensible approach is to feed small batches of food waste into your garbage disposal, making sure the waste is well ground before adding more.

6. Don’t neglect a quick, simple clean after use

Immediately after using your disposal, keep it running with cold water and add a little dish soap to wash away any food remains.

Another natural remedy is to add the occasional bit of citrus peel after cleaning. Lemon, lime, or orange peel will work a bit like a natural wipe around the pipe.

Every few months, boil up a few gallons of water and pour that down your sink to give the pipes a more serious clean.

Garbage disposal maintenance

The best way to maintain your garbage disposal is to use it sensibly and carry out simple, regular cleaning as described above.

The most important thing is to consider what you’re putting into your disposal. Many food waste items can easily be recycled or composted, leaving your disposal to handle that much less.

Finally, a safety tip–your waste disposal contains spinning metal blades; it’s always worth calling an expert rather than trying to deal with most garbage disposal problems yourself.

Problem with your garbage disposal?

Not for long. Call the fully equipped and experienced professionals at Son-Rise Plumbing and Gasfitting to book an appointment and ensure your disposal is in proper working order