To Clean or Replace: What To Do With an Old Toilet?

Any plumber who has been in business for any length of time can tell you stories of “that toilet.” It was the one that was no longer fit for human use. If you have a toilet – whether in your home or business – that is “hoverable,” is it beyond saving? Should you just buy a new toilet or can you attempt to clean it?

There are two primary times when we would recommend replacing a toilet.

First, if you are planning on selling your home, a toilet will never be the reason your home sells. But a toilet can definitely be a reason a home doesn’t sell. If a toilet is old, dirty (especially excessively dirty), or has minor plumbing issues, we would recommend considering the purchase of a new toilet. A savvy shopper will extrapolate a bad toilet with other issues that may or may not exist in your home. You don’t want to lose a sale for something relatively inexpensive and easy to replace!

Second, if the toilet is “beyond cleaning” – meaning that a good scrubbing won’t make it less “hoverable” – we recommend a replacement. Toilets are used every day in your home. It should be a place where you can rest easy while you’re taking care of business. This is particularly true if the toilet is in your home or is in a business where customers may have access to the toilet.

You may want to consider attempting a cleaning first if you don’t have one of the above concerns. Or, maybe your budget is a bit tighter and you don’t want to spend it towards the installation of a new toilet. Whatever the case may be, here are a few tips for getting your toilet clean.

1. Start with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar and pour it into the bowl. Let t sit for 15 minutes. Rinse. Repeat.
2. If the above does not work, move on to a toilet bowl cleaner that uses acid. Again, let it set for 15 minutes before scrubbing. WARNING: NEVER MIX TOILET BOWL CLEANER AND BLEACH. THIS CAN CREATE A DANGEROUS GAS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY AND DEATH.
3. You can also use other cleaners such as CLR. The 15 minutes still holds true. And, again, don’t mix cleaners.
4. You can attack mineral deposits with a pumice stone. (Advice from Tracy at Such-A-Neat-Freak.)

If all else fails, it might be worth getting a professional to do the cleaning. You can give our friend Tracy at Such-A-Neat-Freak to not only clean your toilet but to also get the rest of your home. This is particularly helpful if you’re preparing your home for a sale. If Tracy can’t clean your toilet, then nobody can!

Replace vs. repair the toilet? The question ultimately comes down your preferences and the use of the toilet. If you’re selling your house or your in-laws are coming for a visit, maybe it’s time to get that new toilet. Give us a call at Dierolf and we would be happy to help install a new toilet!