You need a new toilet. What now? Do you go to the local home improvement store to buy one and install it by yourself? Or do you need a licensed Houston plumber to install your new toilet? We’ll explore the differences between DIY and professional toilet replacement and why you likely need a plumber to supply and install your new toilet. We’ll also discuss how to choose a new toilet and some signs that your toilet was incorrectly installed.
Toilet Replacement: Houston Plumber or DIY?
There are two approaches to Houston toilet installation: do-it-yourself or professional installation. Now, you might think it looks pretty easy to replace a toilet. However, it can actually be much more complicated than most homeowners expect. That’s why many people hire a Houston plumber instead to replace their toilet.
Even just removing the old toilet can be a challenge. You must completely drain the water for removal, and even still, it’s likely there will be some extra water that sloshes out when removing the toilet. Toilets are also pretty heavy. We have run into many homeowners who hurt themselves trying to lift and carry a toilet out of their home. Many people also drop the toilet and damage their bathroom tile or other parts of their home. Plumbers have special tools called toilet jacks to lift and move the toilet to help prevent injuries or damages.
Installing the toilet is also difficult without the right tools and knowledge. You must check the drain pipe to make sure it’s in good condition, stabilize the toilet on the drain pipe, and make sure there’s a tight seal to prevent leaks or imbalances. Even something as small as over-tightening the floor bolts on a floor-mounted toilet can damage the toilet flange or cause the base to chip or crack. Therefore, toilet installation can be a big project for a DIY-er. In fact, Bob Vila putstoilet installation at a difficulty level between intermediate and expert. That’s why they recommend getting a professional in most cases when replacing a toilet in your home.
Incorrect toilet installation can actually cause major issues, including leaks that damage your home. Remember, it’s often much more affordable to hire a professional to do the job right the first time than to call for emergency repairs.
Your Houston Plumber Can Help You Find the Right Toilet
Whether you’re replacing your toilet because of major damage (like a crack in the porcelain) or you’re simply updating it as part of a Houston bathroom remodeling project, your trusted plumber can also help you find the right new toilet for your bathroom. This includes actually supplying high quality toilets at competitive prices and also guiding you through your options and what might work best for your plumbing and bathroom.
Supplying Your New Toilet
We know you might be thinking, “why call a Houston plumber when I need a toilet when I can pick one up at the local big box store?” You certainly can, but there are some drawbacks. One of the main reasons to work with your plumbing company to purchase a new toilet or other plumbing fixtures is that we often have access to higher quality products than big box stores. Therefore, you may find that your options are limited if you choose to go to a retailer to purchase your new toilet.
What to Consider When Choosing a New Toilet
In addition to a wider range of options for toilets, working with your plumber also means you have an expert to help you choose the right one. If you’ve ever been to a big box store, you know that the help you receive, while well-meaning, isn’t always the most knowledgeable. When you go through your Houston plumber, you know you’re getting sound advice from qualified professionals.
Ask Your Houston Plumber About Types of Toilets
What you may not realize is there are actually many different options to choose from if you need a new toilet. One of the first things to decide is whether you want a one-piece or two-piece toilet. Two-piece toilets are the most common.
As you might have guessed, they come in two pieces: the tank and the base/bowl. These toilets tend to cost less than one-piece toilets. However, keep in mind that there will be a seam between the two pieces. This seam can collect grime and germs that are difficult to clean.
One-piece toilets come in all one piece, which means there are fewer nooks and crannies to clean. They are often easier to install, but also typically heavier. In addition, these types of toilets do generally cost more than two-piece options.
Toilet Mount Options
There are also two types of Houston toilet installation options when you’re buying a new toilet. The most common is floor-mounted. This is where the drain opening for the toilet is in the floor and you bolt the toilet to the floor.
Wall-mounted toilets are mounted directly to the wall and often “float” above the floor. For these toilets, your Houston plumber must install the right plumbing components in the wall, such as the drain line.
Ask Your Houston Plumber About Flush Type
Also, let’s not forget about the flush type. The type of flush the toilet uses affects not only how well the toilet flushes waste, but also how much noise it makes while doing so. Gravity-fed flushing uses gravity to push water from the tank to the bowl and flush. This is typically the quietest option, but can sometimes leave waste behind after flushing.
Pressure-assisted flush uses special parts behind the wall to give extra “oomph” to the flush, but tends to be noisier. Also, as you may have guessed, Houston toilet installation for a pressure-assisted flushing toilet does tend to be a little more complex and more expensive, as the plumber must install the pressure-assisting equipment in the plumbing behind the wall.
Signs to Call Your Houston Plumber After DIY Toilet Installation
So, what if you’ve already installed your new toilet by yourself? That’s perfectly fine, but you need to be on high alert for issues with your toilet. At any sign of trouble, call our plumbing company for help. Incorrect Houston toilet installation can cause major damages to your home, including water and sewage leaks.
Some signs you need repairs due to an incorrectly installed toilet include:
- Wobbly toilet
- Toilet with a loose tank
- Leaks
- Water damage on walls and ceilings near the toilet
- Sewer odors
- The toilet doesn’t flush well
If you run into these problems, you could have a big plumbing problem on your hands. You may even need to call our emergency line at (713) 360-2185 for immediate service from our on-call plumbers to prevent further damage.
Expert Houston Plumber Since 1974
Our team at Santhoff Plumbing Company makes plumbing installation, replacement, and repairs simple for homeowners in Greater Houston. We have been in business since 1974 and are family owned and operated. We believe in providing the best quality plumbing solutions and friendly service to help you keep your home’s plumbing in top shape. Contact us today to schedule service or call our 24/7 line if you have a plumbing emergency. We are here to serve you!