Short answer for Dayton, Beavercreek, Centerville, Springboro, and Xenia homeowners: If your toilet is running constantly or your tub spout is stuck, you are wasting water and driving up your utility bill. Replacing an old toilet with a premium tall elongated model improves comfort while stopping the leaks for good. A complete toilet replacement including haul-away and a new tub spout installation typically runs around $1,750. If you are tired of hearing your toilet refill every few minutes, we invite you to call us to schedule an inspection.
Should I replace my old toilet in my Dayton home?
Yes, if your toilet is constantly refilling or leaking from the tank to the bowl, it is time to consider a replacement. A toilet that runs every few minutes can waste hundreds of gallons of water, blowing up your monthly water bill. Upgrading to a newer, pro-grade model stops the leak, lowers your bill, and gives you a much more comfortable seat.
The Home and the Problem
We recently visited Stephanie, a homeowner in Dayton, who was dealing with a very frustrating bathroom situation. Her main issue was her 25-year-old American Standard round bowl toilet. It was leaking internally from the tank into the bowl, which caused the fill valve to kick on and refill the tank every few minutes. This constant running was causing a major spike in her water bill.
On top of the toilet issue, Stephanie had a secondary problem in the shower. Her tub spout diverter was completely broken and stuck in the "up" position, making it difficult to use the shower properly.
Our Diagnosis
When we inspected the bathroom, we confirmed the old toilet was beyond a simple flapper repair and needed to be replaced. We measured the space and found she had a 14-inch rough-in (the distance from the wall to the floor drain). Because she had this extra room, we explained that we could upgrade her from a small round bowl to a premium tall elongated toilet without taking up any extra floor space in her bathroom. We also confirmed the tub spout needed to be swapped out for a new one to get her shower working correctly again.
The Work We Performed
We started by shutting off the water and carefully removing the old, leaking toilet. Once the toilet was out of the way, we inspected the floor drain and found a hidden problem. Her original cast iron toilet flange was in extremely poor shape, and the left side was completely broken. A broken flange means the toilet cannot bolt down tightly, which will eventually cause a dirty water leak under the floor. We repaired the floor connection by installing a new stainless steel flange ring over the old cast iron to make it perfectly secure.
With the floor repaired, we installed a brand-new premium wax ring and securely bolted down her new tall elongated toilet. We then moved to the shower, removed the broken spout, cleaned the pipe threads, and installed a brand-new tub spout with a working diverter, sealing it cleanly at the wall.
Before vs After Results
Before we arrived, Stephanie was dealing with a skyrocketing water bill and a shower that did not work correctly. After the installation, her new premium toilet sat perfectly level and secure on the repaired flange. We tested both the toilet flush and the new tub spout for proper flow, and zero leaks were found.
As we were wrapping up, Stephanie mentioned that the finish on her bathroom sink vanity was peeling up. We took the measurements (25"W x 19"L x 31"H) and recommended she pick out a new vanity and faucet she loves, and we provided an estimate to come back and install it for her soon.
FAQ
- How much room do I need to install an elongated toilet in Dayton? Elongated toilets stick out slightly further from the wall than round bowl toilets. As seen in our project photos, if you have a 14-inch rough-in, you typically have plenty of room to upgrade to a comfortable elongated bowl without blocking your bathroom door or cabinets.
- What happens if my toilet flange is broken? The flange is the metal or plastic ring in the floor that your toilet bolts to. If it is broken, the toilet will rock back and forth when you sit down. This movement breaks the wax ring seal, causing sewer water to leak under your flooring. We always inspect and repair the flange before installing a new toilet.
- Why is my tub spout stuck in the up position? The small knob on your tub spout is called a diverter. It blocks water from pouring into the tub and forces it up to the showerhead. Over time, hard water buildup or worn internal springs can cause this diverter to jam or break completely. The best fix is to replace the entire tub spout.
- Does Honey Go Fix It haul away my old toilet? Yes, when we perform a premium toilet replacement, our service includes carefully disconnecting your old unit, removing it from your bathroom, and disposing of it responsibly so you don't have to lift a finger.
Honey Go Fix It provides residential plumbing services for homeowners in Dayton, Beavercreek, Centerville, Springboro, Xenia, and nearby suburbs.