The repair-vs-replace line
If a part is available and the body of the fixture is sound, repair it. If the parts are discontinued, the porcelain is cracked, or you've repaired the same thing twice in a year, replace it. The third repair on the same fixture is almost always money thrown away.
- •Toilet: cracked tank or bowl, or discontinued internals — replace
- •Faucet: corroded body or repeated cartridge failure — replace
- •Valve: won't hold, won't turn, or weeps after a new washer — replace
- •Disposal: humming but not grinding, or leaking from the body — replace
Why the install matters more than the brand
A mid-range fixture installed right — level, sealed, with new supply lines and working shutoffs — outlasts a top-of-the-line one rushed in. The failures I see almost always come from the connection, not the fixture.
Call before you buy
Tell me what you've got and what it's doing. I can usually tell you over the phone whether it's a repair or a replacement, and which fixture will actually fit your home's rough-in and water pressure. That saves you buying the wrong thing.
Have a plumbing issue right now?
Call and leave a voicemail — Bob calls back during business hours. For the fastest reply (usually within the hour), email him directly.