Get matched with top toilet pros in Ashley, MI

Adding a half bathroom can be worth it for two reasons: you want to increase the livability of your home and increase its value. While a value increase is more likely for a smaller home than a larger one, smaller houses with a large number of occupants can see a drastic increase in the ease and flow of daily life with the addition of a half bathroom.

The cost to install a new toilet typically runs from $225 to $530. This doesn’t include the price of the toilet itself, which can cost $90 to $1,500 depending on the model and features you choose. You can save money if you choose to install a toilet yourself. However, you might want to hire a pro for this project.

"Due to the many complexities of replacing a toilet flange, it is typically a job best left to the pros," says Jeff Botelho, Angi Expert Review Board member and plumber. "Many times it isn't as simple and straightforward as 'pop off the old one and pop on a new one' because the flange is either glued on (PVC/ABS), soldered on (brass/copper), or caulked in place with a lead & oakum joint (cast iron) and none of these things can be easily reversed without years of training and repetitive practice."

Many homeowners stress about cleaning before an emergency plumber arrives, but you’re far better off doing the following while you wait for your plumber to get to your home:

• Shut the water off at your water main if you have a leak or a burst pipe 

• Avoid using any water fixtures in your home, including appliances

• Clear a path to the problem area so that it’s easily accessible 

• Consider shutting your breaker if you’re concerned that the leak may affect your electrical system

Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.