Articles by Lynda Stevens

How Long Do Toilets Last? Find Out When You Should Be Replacing Yours

How long do toilets last? The porcelain can last for decades, but flappers and fill valves wear out sooner. Here is when to replace your toilet.

Rough-in toilet measurements run from the finished wall to the center of the closet bolts. Most are 12 inches; 10 and 14 inches also exist.

To adjust toilet flush pressure, open the shutoff valve fully, clean clogged rim holes, set the tank water level and fix chain slack, or upgrade.

Toilet augers compared, from the Ridgid K-6 to Cobra's 3-foot closet auger, plus how to use one safely after plunging fails.

How to measure a toilet: find the rough-in from wall to bolt center (usually 12 in.), seat height, bowl length, and gallons per flush first.

How do porta-potties work? Waste drops into a holding tank with a blue deodorizer, then a service truck vacuums it out. Here is what to know.

If your toilet doesn't flush all the way, check chain slack, tank water level and clogged rim holes, then clear any partial clog with a plunger.

The best bath and shower sponge picks, from soft charcoal poufs to natural loofahs, plus how often to replace them: every 3-4 weeks for natural ones.

To adjust the water level in a toilet, raise or lower the cylinder or ball float until tank water stops 1/2 to 1 inch below the overflow tube.

How to get rid of toilet odor: scrub under the rim and around the base, check the wax ring, run the bathroom fan, and use simple homemade fresheners.