Should You Repair or Replace Your Toilet?

Toilets are tough, but parts wear out. Most problems are in the cistern and are cheap to fix. Some call for a new toilet.

Running water

If the toilet keeps running or refills often, the inlet valve or the flush valve seal is probably worn. Both are easy parts to replace.

Weak flush

A weak flush may be caused by a low water level, blocked rim holes, or a partial blockage. Clean the rim holes and check the water level mark.

Leaks at the base

Water around the base can mean a worn pan collar or a loose connection. Do not ignore it. It can rot the floor.

Cracks

A cracked pan or cistern cannot be fixed reliably. Replace the toilet.

Frequent blockages

Older toilets may use more water than needed for modern pipes, or have a narrow trap. Newer designs flush better and use less water.

Water saving

A dual flush toilet uses less water on half flush. Replacing an old single flush model can cut your water use.

Replacement process

A plumber removes the old toilet, checks the flange and pipe, fits the new unit, and tests it. It takes a short time on a straight swap.

Call us

We repair and install toilets across Geelong and Melbourne.

Common cistern repairs

The inlet valve controls the water coming in, and the flush valve or outlet seal lets it out into the pan. When either wears out, the toilet runs or refills on its own. Both parts are cheap, and replacing them is often a short job. A running toilet can waste a lot of water across a day, so do not leave it.

Blocked or slow toilets

A plunger works for many blockages. Use a plunger made for toilets and keep the seal tight. If the toilet blocks often, the problem may be further down the drain. Do not use chemical cleaners in a toilet that may need a plumber afterwards.

Choosing a new toilet

Check whether you need an S-trap or P-trap, which describes where the waste leaves the pan, and measure the outlet position. Close coupled suites are common and simple to fit. Wall faced and back to wall models look neat. Look for a good water efficiency rating.

Smell and sealing

A bad smell near the toilet base can mean a worn seal or a leak. Hidden leaks can damage flooring. If you can lift the toilet and refit it, replace the seal. If not, call a plumber.

Accessible toilets

If someone in your home needs a taller or more accessible toilet, tell your plumber. There are comfort height models and grab rails can be fitted. Plan the layout so there is room.

Check the cheap fixes first

Most running toilets are not a plumbing disaster. A cistern that fills and refills, or hisses all day, usually needs a new washer or inlet valve. To check, put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern and see if colour shows up in the bowl without flushing. If it does, the seal is leaking. That is a repair, not a replacement.

A weak flush often comes from a partly blocked rim, a low water level or a worn flush valve. A toilet that rocks needs its fixings checked, and a wet floor at the base needs the pan connector looked at. Do not ignore a wet floor, because a slow leak can rot the floor under the toilet.

When replacing makes more sense

Replace the toilet if the pan or cistern is cracked, if it blocks every few weeks even after the drain is clear, or if parts are no longer made. Many older single flush cisterns use more water per flush than current dual flush toilets, which carry a WELS water rating. The Australian Government's Water Rating website lists the rating scheme, so you can compare models before you buy.

Before you buy a new toilet, check the outlet. Toilets have different waste connections, and the wrong one will not fit your floor or wall. Check the rough in distance, the height and whether the cistern is wall hung, close coupled or in wall. Take photos of the existing toilet and the back wall and send them with your enquiry so the plumber can confirm it will fit.

What to ask a plumber before a replacement

Ask whether the existing waste outlet will suit the new suite. Ask whether the floor flange and the pipe behind the toilet are in good shape. Ask what is included, such as supply of the suite, removal of the old toilet, new connector, seat and isolation valve. And ask what warranty applies to the toilet and to the installation.

If the floor around the old toilet is soft or stained, say so. A slow leak can damage the floor, and that may need a separate trade.

Quick fixes you can try

If the cistern keeps filling, lift the lid and look at the float. If it is stuck, free it. If the flush is weak, check the water level against the mark inside the cistern. If the button feels loose, the linkage may have dropped off. These are simple. If you can see a part is cracked or perished, take a photo and match it at the hardware store, or call a plumber.

When a replacement makes sense

If the pan or cistern has a crack, if the toilet is old and keeps giving trouble, if parts are no longer made, or if it uses a lot of water per flush, replacement is worth considering. A new dual flush toilet is usually quicker to clean and is likely to use less water than an old single flush model. Check the WELS star rating on the model you choose.

What a replacement costs and involves

The price depends on the toilet you choose, the work needed on the outlet and the water connection, and whether the floor needs repair. A like for like swap is a short job. A change from S-trap to P-trap, or moving the toilet, needs more work. We quote before we start and explain the options.

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

We work across Geelong and Melbourne, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0401 041 103 or use the contact page. Quotes are free and there is no call-out fee.