[vtmomof3]

We have 3 bathrooms in our house and a continuous problem with clogged toilets. Do the toilets need to be replaced (as suggested by our plumber) or is there a less severe route we can take. All toilets are fourteen years old.

[speedball1]

We have 3 bathrooms in our house and a continuous problem with clogged toilets. Do the toilets need to be replaced (as suggested by our plumber) or is there a less severe route we can take. All toilets are fourteen years old.

There are two types of plumbers. Repair and replace. I was trained as a repair plumber.
Replacing should only be used as a last resort in my book.
There are several things you can do before junking the toilets.
1) Auger the bowls,(see images)
2) Check the jet hole. Read on, Look down at the bottom of the bowl. If there is a small hole, then that is a jet that starts the syphon action. If it's clogged the water will just swirl around and slowly go down leaving solids behind. Take your finger,(UGH! ) and run it around the inside of the opening. Over the years minerals build up and cut down on the syphon (flush) action. If it is rough or you feel build up, take a table knife and put a bend in it to get around the curve in the bowl and chip and scrap it clear. Next take a coathanger and clear out the holes around the rim. They start the swirling action. And last, check the water level in the tank. It should be 1/2" below the top of the over flow tube. And speaking of the overflow tube, Make sure the small 1/8" tube from the ballcock to the white overflow tube is connected so it discharges in it and that it's flowing when the ballcock fills. This is what raises the water level in the bowl. For a good solid flush they all have to work together.
3) Check the vents. Any gurgling or bubbles in the toilets?
Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom