How to Replace a Toilet
Here's everything you need to know about how to replace a toilet. Replacing or installing a toilet will take a few hours and the right tools.
Go ahead and watch the video. Or take a look at the step-by-step instructions to remove a toilet and install a new one.
What You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to replace a toilet:
New toilet
Replacement wax ring
Rubber gloves
Hacksaw
Putty knife
Adjustable wrenches
Plunger
Sponge
Bucket
Old rags
Steps to Install a Toilet
- Turn off the water
Turn off the water at the shutoff valve. It's usually located on the wall behind the toilet.
Flush the toilet to drain the water from the tank and bowl.
Use a toilet plunger to push the remaining water down the drain line. And use your sponge and bucket to mop up the rest.
- Disconnect the Water Supply Line
The water supply line using can be disconnected using an adjustable wrench.
- Separate the Tank and Bowl
You'll find bolts on the bottom of the water tank. These bolts hold together the tank and the bowl. Remove these bolts with an adjustable wrench. The two separate pieces will be easier to move than the whole thing together.
- Unbolt Toilet Bowl
Remove the toilet bolt caps. These are the decorative covers over the bolts connecting the toilet to the floor.
Using pliers or an adjustable wrench, remove the bolts that connect the bowl to the floor.
- Remove Old Caulk
Use a utility knife to cut through the caulk seam cementing the toilet bowl to the floor.
Rock the toilet side to side until you can lift it. Expose the old wax ring by moving the toilet to the side.
- Check Bowl Bolts
Remove the old wax ring with a putty knife.
If the old toilet bowl bolts are in good shape, keep them in place and use them with the new toilet. If the bolts are rusted then go ahead and replace them.
- Inspect the Toilet Flange
Carefully inspect the toilet flange. It connects the toilet to the floor and needs to be in strong shape. If the flange is cracked or broken then replace it.
- Install New Wax Ring
Place the new wax ring on the floor in position on the flange.
- Place Toilet on the Flange
Now it's time to place the toilet onto the flange. Watch to align the bolts in the flange with the bolt holes in the bottom of the toilet.
Warning: Do not move or tilt the toilet once it's in place on the wax seal. This movement can break the seal and cause the toilet to leak!
- Bolt Toilet to Floor
Tighten the bolts on either side of the toilet bowl.
If the bolts are too tall, use a hacksaw to cut them off lower.
- Attach the New Tank
If the tank is separate from the bowl it will need to be attached now.
Place the tank on the bolts in the bowl. Tighten the bolts.
- Reattach the supply line.
Warning: Carefully watch as you turn on the water supply. Leaks are possible. Have a hand on the supply line to quickly turn off the water if any leaks are spotted.
How to Replace Toilet Flange
To replace a toilet flange you will follow the steps above to the replace a toilet. The toilet flange is at the very bottom of the toilet. So, you will need to take the whole thing off and put it back on - just like replacing a toilet.
You can follow the step below and watch the video as well.
The steps to replace a toilet flange:
- When you have removed the toilet you will need to remove the toilet flange. Take it to your home supply store. Be sure to get a new toilet flange to match the old one.
- Back at home, fit the new flange over the pipe. Check carefully that there are no gaps between the flange and the floor. Once the flange is in place, screw it securely.
- Replace the toilet following the toilet installation instructions above.
Cost to Install a Toilet
The best way to find out the cost to install a toilet is to get a quote. Not just what someone says it should cost. Actually a quote from a plumber saying they will do the work for a certain price.
Go ahead and click below to get the quote you want.
Get the Help You Need
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