How Long Does A Toilet Last?

Nothing lasts forever! Even your toilet has an expiry date. In recent times, toilets are usually made from plastic, wood, concrete, and porcelain. 

A toilet is one of the most straightforward mechanical systems at home for the disposal of liquid and solid waste. Several parts on the toilet include the flush rod, flapper, supply tube, toilet bowl, fill valve.

The porcelain toilet is the most widely used type of toilet around the world. The structural composition of the porcelain toilets provides numerous advantages than the other types of toilets. The porcelain toilet can be easily cleaned because it is so smooth. The absence of imperfections or holes prevents particle build-up in the toilet seat. It can be adjusted to suit the owner’s preference to provide an aesthetic feel in the bathroom.

The toilet surprisingly lasts longer than several other household attachments. It has a lifespan of 40 to 50  years. Like many other plumbing attachments, they were designed to withstand years of constant use. The long lifespan of the toilet is due to its physical strength and chemical resistivity. The toilet seat has a simple design. It is resistant to chemical materials.

The toilet is made up of several movable and immovable parts working g together in harmony to create a perfect flush. Think of the toilet like a piece of machinery, the parts subjected to frequent usage might experience degradation faster than other parts. Other mechanisms such as the handle, fill valve, over float tube, flapper valve in the toilet system might need replacement after years of usage.

 The toilet bowl is the hardest part that can last up to half a century.  A toilet can last up to 50 years, but replacement might be needed after the 25 years mark 

Plumbing professionals suggest an average lifetime of 50 years. However, several others can determine how long you can use your toilet seat. A couple of these factors are discussed below:

• Brand and quality of toilet seat

The quality of the toilet seat determines how long the toilet might last.  The more expensive, high-quality brand would surely outlast the cheaper low-quality brands. For instance, the type of cheap brand of toilet installed in a bar wouldn’t last as long as the high-quality brand present in the bathroom of the CEO office

• Frequency of usage 

The longevity of the toilet is inversely proportional to the frequency of usage.  The toilet in the subway would not outlast the one in a personal bathroom. 

• Amount of care

Your toilet seems invincible, but you still need to take care of it. The life expectancy can vary depending on the amount of care and the amount of usage. Proper care of the toilet is advised. Avoid dunking chemical materials down the toilet seat.  This might cause irreparable damage to the toilet seat and the pipe.

• The users

The weight of the users might cause a strain on the toilet seat. Heavyweight users tend to impose more significant stress than other users. Larger bowel moments might cause wear and tear on your toilet system.

How Can You Tell How Old a Toilet is?

Most times, you can ascertain the exact date of manufacture of your toilet by removing the lid of the tank. Most manufacturers print or stamp the exact date of manufacturing on the bottom of the lid.

However, an old toilet should be easy to spot. Presence of cracks, leaks, scratches, and stains are evident in an aging toilet 

When Should You Replace a Toilet?

When the toilet gets old due to damage or usage, the performance of the toilet diminishes. Several worn out parts begin to malfunction, causing trouble for you.

After prolonged usage, the utility derived from your toilet seat decreases drastically, there might be a drop in performance.  It might get challenging to flush down the toilet bowl.

• Too many repairs

An aging toilet develops faults over a short period. When too many parts get faulty, it is wise to compare the cost of repairing the toilet with the cost of replacing the toilet. In most cases, replacing your toilet is the better choice 

• Frequent clogging 

Frequent clogging is one of the signs that a toilet should be replaced. Having to plunge your toilet every week is proof that your toilet is long overdue for replacement.

• Cracks

The presence of cracks on the toilet seat is not a good look for a toilet.  Small particles and bacteria might accumulate in the cracks making it unsanitary for human use.

Conclusion 

The toilet lasts very long, approximately 50 years. You might be lucky enough, and your toilet lives than that or otherwise.