Certainly, a high-quality porcelain toilet can last forever. However, that’s not the case all the time. Toilets tend to deteriorate with frequent use, load application and use of harsh chemical substances. Therefore, if you want your new toilet lasts forever, you should treat it more carefully from now on.
Also, the quality of the materials can play on your favor or against you. So, you must be willing to invest some serious money on a good toilet, so it can withstand the test of time. In this article, you’ll know the average lifespan of a porcelain toilet and some valuable tips to extend it.
How to Calculate A Toilet Lasting Period?
Certainly, there’s no mathematical formula that can help you determine the number of years a toilet can last. But, there are some signs that can tell you when it’s time to replace your old WC. These are the most common:
- Stuck handle
- Low water pressure
- High water consumption
- Broken lid and sit
- Scratched or cracked surface
- Frequent clogging
Generally, toilets can withstand 50 years of use without showing visible signs of deterioration. However, the application of harsh cleaning products, prolonged use and low cleaning frequency can considerably decrease their useful life.
So, if your family members are many and use the toilet all the time, you’ll probably have to replace it after 20-30 years of service. On the other hand, the lifespan of toilets on public bathrooms is much shorter than 20 years.
Step by Step Guide to Make A Toilet Last
As said before, a toilet can last forever. But, it also depends on you. A periodic maintenance routine can keep your toilet operational and looking good. Below, you’ll find a detailed list with the steps you must follow to guarantee the best results.
- Use the right cleaning products
Harsh cleaning products may dissolve the plastic, rubber and metal parts of your toilet. Also, they may dissolve the translucent varnish that protects porcelain. Things like ammonia and hydrochloric acid are certainly effective for removing stubborn stains. However, it isn’t convenient to use them so often to prevent serious damage.
- Replace the cleaning brush when necessary
Hard bristle brushes are the best for removing stubborn stains stuck on the surface. But, with frequent use and excessive pressure, the bristles tend to deform. When this happens, the entire brush loses its cleaning efficiency. So, you’ll have to try so hard to remove the easiest stain.
In this case, go immediately to a supermarket and buy a new cleaning brush. Plastic brushes are better for toilets than steel wire brushes, because they don’t scratch the surface. Mold and bacteria tend to accumulate inside surface scratches, causing horrible black stains and bad odors.
- Avoid cleaning tablets
Certainly, those cleaning tablets that you put inside toilet tanks are the best for lazy housewives. But not precisely the best for your toilet. Most tablets are made of highly concentrated chlorine compounds that may dissolve the plastic and metal parts inside the tank.
It’s also known that these tablets are the worst enemy of rubber seals. So, if you use them, you’ll probably have water leaks below your toilet tank.
Tips to Increase Toilets Longevity
Certainly, increasing your toilet’s lifespan not only depends on cleaning tips. It also depends on an adequate use. Here are some additional tips that you must apply:
- Don’t lean on the toilet tank when trying to sit or stand up.
- Don’t stand up on the toilet lid when trying to change a light bulb.
- Firmly grab heavy tools like pliers and wrenches when fixing your toilet. If they accidentally fall over the toilet, they may break the porcelain.
- Also, be careful when handling the tank lid. It will break into pieces if it falls to the ground.
Conclusion
As you can see, you can extend the lifespan of your toilets by applying some simple maintenance tips. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive materials. With a little money investment and a regular cleaning routine, you can do miracles.
Certainly, if you apply each of the tips on this guide, your toilets will last more than a hundred years.
