Do I Need Licensed Plumber to Install a Toilet?
The better question is, “Do I need a permit” to install a toilet? The short answer is that it depends on your municipality. Most areas around Akron don’t require a permit just to replace a toilet but do require a permit to install a new toilet (where one had never existed before). And if you need a permit, then you need a licensed plumber. In the resources below we have some links for the local building and/or health departments.
Why It’s Smart to Hire a Licensed Plumber?
As a licensed plumber, we are held to a higher standard than, say a handy-man or a friend of a friend. Licensed plumbers are trained, know the Ohio Plumbing Code, and have the experience necessary, while also having liability insurance just in case something goes wrong. All too often we hear stories about how so-and-so got a brand-new floor in their bathroom and two months later it is ruined because the toilet leaked. Sure enough, it usually turns out it was a carpenter, handy-man, or flooring installer that re-installed the toilet. Our Techs have installed hundreds of toilets so our expertise tells us what type of installation methods work best for each different situation. Our team asks questions like, is the floor level? Is the flange rotted out? Does it need shims? After our work is complete we put a minimum 1-year warranty on our work.
Other Licensing Issues to Consider when Installing a Toilet
1.) New Installations. If you are installing a toilet where one has never existed before, then you most certainly need a licensed plumber and permit. Piping in a new toilet location or even setting a toilet flange can be very complex and, if done wrong, can cause damage to the house not to mention be a huge expense to fix.
2.) Your Municipality. We’ve found some building departments care a lot more than others about permits for minor plumbing repairs and fixture replacements. For instance, Medina County Health Department will gladly issue a permit for a toilet replacement, while Summit County Building Department may not. Stow’s building department has the following on their website:
Virtually all new construction, including fences, sheds, pools, decks and additions require a zoning permit. Building permits are also required for a majority of projects. The following table is a guide for which permits are required for more common projects such as decks, pools, and additions.
Protection & Peace of Mind
So bottom line from our perspective (and of course we’re biased) is that having a licensed plumber install your toilet – whether replacing an existing one or installing a new one – is the better choice. A licensed plumber can provide protection and peace of mind that only a trained professional can provide. There is an added level of protection you can get by having your toilet installation inspected by your municipality’s plumbing inspector. This step does add some cost because the building department does charge for permits.
Resources:
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board Licensed Plumber Lookup
Summit County Building Department