You may be planning on getting a new toilet. Maybe you’re building a new home and need to install toilets in each of your bathrooms, or maybe you’d like to replace your old toilet. Whatever the reason, you should consider having a professional install it for you.
Unanticipated Complexity
The toilet installation process might seem simple when someone else is handling it, especially if that person has been trained in the industry and has already installed toilets many times. When it comes to doing the work on your own, things might not be as easy.
There are various pieces that have to go together in specific ways in order to ensure a tight fit, and the project could potentially take you longer than you plan for. If you have a lot going on, it could be a smart move to focus on what you’re familiar with and leave the toilet installation to those who know what they’re doing.
There are many steps in the installation process that are tricky. Old wax can sometimes be difficult to remove completely. Given uneven flooring, some toilets may need to be shimmed so that they’re level. Further, water supply lines may need to be cut or bent in order to fit correctly.
Toilets Are Heavy
A toilet could weigh upwards of 100 pounds, and it could be awkward to carry the toilet on your own, especially with its bulky shape and many rounded edges. Buying the toilet, bringing it into your home, unpacking it, and putting it into position can be a lot of work on its own, and this doesn’t even take installation into account.
If you’re replacing an old toilet, you’ll need to safely transport the old one out of the home and dispose of it properly. This can be difficult to do, given the weight and size of the toilet, and most people wouldn’t know where to get rid of an old toilet since in most municipalities you can’t just leave it by the curb.
Letting a professional take care of things can ensure that everything will go smoothly. There will be no chance of you dropping the toilet and breaking it or damaging something else in your home, and you won’t be at risk for an injury either.
Are You Ready If Something Doesn’t Go Right?
Plumbing problems could be significant. A pipe could burst or crack, a leak could spring out of nowhere, and water could start to go everywhere in the bathroom. Water could even make its way underneath the walls and under your flooring. Even a minor mistake could pose a big issue.
For example, maybe a seal isn’t perfect, or maybe something was damaged during the installation. In either of these cases, a slow leak may result. Over the course of a few days, it might not affect anything, but over time, that slow leak could cause major trouble. Mold and mildew could start to develop in places that you don’t have easy access to, and drywall, flooring, and other structural materials could be compromised by the water as well.
When you consider the risks associated with doing a plumbing job on your own, you can see how it might be better to let a plumber do the job in the first place. Fixing mistakes on your own could be costly and time-consuming.
Benefit From a Plumber’s Knowledge and Expertise
When Southport Home Services is helping people with toilet installations in Wausau, we sometimes come across mold issues from old leaks. In some scenarios, this is only apparent after the old toilet has been removed, so it can be an unpleasant surprise. For health and safety reasons, you’ll need a professional team that is experienced in mold remediation to take care of things for you.
Another thing that plumbers sometimes have to deal with is old polybutylene pipes. These were installed in some homes starting in the late 1970s and into the early 1990s. Polybutylene gained popularity because of its affordable cost, but unfortunately, polybutylene pipes don’t have a long lifespan, especially if hard water has gotten them clogged. These old pipes can be more likely to leak. If you have these types of pipes in your home, it’s a good idea to replace them.
Along the same line, a plumber can identify any areas of concern. If the toilet shut-off valve is corroded, for example, it can be easily replaced by someone who has the proper training.
If you have anything else that needs to be worked on in the bathroom, feel free to ask a plumber to handle that too. If the toilet installation is part of a bigger bathroom project, a professional can work to make sure that everything moves forward smoothly. Many people choose to rearrange their bathrooms during major renovations, and installing pipes in different locations can prove difficult for the average homeowner.
Plus, some bathroom projects may require permits, which a professional plumber has experience with. In fact, Wisconsin regulations require licensed plumbers to install plumbing for you if the work is not being done in your primary residence. If you live in a multi-family dwelling, installing the toilet yourself is likely not an option.
Narrowing Down the Options
If you walk through any home improvement store, you’ll find so many different kinds of toilets. Some are traditional and may be similar to what you’re used to, and others may be more modern in design and have newer flushing mechanisms. When you work with a plumber, you can benefit from professional insights as to what type of toilet may work best. Some bathroom layouts may fit better with certain styles of toilets. Here’s just a sampling of the options that you may be able to consider:
- Two-piece and one-piece toilets
- Double cyclone flushing toilets
- Back-to-wall toilets
- Wall-hung toilets
- Dual flush toilets
- High-level and low-level toilets
- Pressure assisted toilets
- Gravity flush toilets
It’s more complicated to install certain types of toilets, like the wall-hung toilet. With this toilet, the waste pipe will have to be rerouted, and you’ll need to be sure that the toilet can get properly mounted to your studs. This will require a licensed plumber as it involves special equipment.
Turn to Us for Help
Southport Home Services has been a part of the Wausau community since 2005. In addition to being able to install and replace toilets, we offer plumbing services related to showers, sinks, tubs, water heaters, drains, fixtures, sump pumps, gas lines, and water treatment systems. We also work in the HVAC industry, and we install, repair, and maintain heaters, air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. For many installations, we proudly offer 30-day satisfaction guarantees. You can trust us to get things done the right way, as our staff members are well-trained, very skilled, and conscientious. Call us at Southport Home Services to discuss how we can help you.
