How to remove and replace a toilet

Posted by Anonymous , 9/5/2007 Tags:removereplacetoilet

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Introduction Is that old toilet outdated?Are you remodeling your bathroom and need to install a

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Introduction

Is that old toilet outdated? Are you remodeling your bathroom and need to install a replacement? With a little bit of time and patience you can install a new toilet yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

  • adjustable wrench
  • locking pliers
  • pocketknife
  • putty knife
  • old towels
  • rubbing alcohol
  • caulk
  • caulking gun
  • rubber gloves
  • wax seal
  • bucket
  • sponge
  • large screwdriver
  • plumber's grease
  • plumber's putty
  • new toilet

Steps

1

Step One

Turn off water at the supply line and flush toilet to drain water. Put on rubber gloves and remove remaining water using a sponge and bucket.
2

Step Two

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Disconnect water supply line from bottom of tank. Loosen bolts on base of toilet using an adjustable wrench.
3

Step Three

Cut the caulk seal around the base of the bowl using a pocketknife.
4

Step Four

Rock the toilet back and forth to make sure it is loose. Have a friend help you carry it away.
5

Step Five

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Remove wax seal using a putty knife. Stuff an old towel into the opening to block sewer gasses.
6

Step Six

Clean the floor around the opening with rubbing alcohol.
7

Step Seven

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Apply a bead of caulk around the base of the new bowl. The caulk is primarily to eliminate gaps and make for a neater installation. If there is a significant leak around the wax ring it make its way through the caulk.
8

Step Eight

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Remove towel blocking opening and place the new wax ring between the bolts.
9

Step Nine

Lift the bowl into place while a friend helps guide it into place. Don't press it down, but instead allow the weight of the bowl to compress the wax seal.
10

Step Ten

Before putting the tank in place, apply a coat of plumber's grease to the spud washer at the base of the tank. You can substitute petroleum jelly if you don't have plumber's grease.
11

Step Eleven

Lift the tank into place and carefully line up the mounting bolts.
12

Step Twelve

Slide the washer onto the bolts and tighten the nut by hand. Use a large screwdriver to fully tighten the bolts inside the tank. Do not over tighten the bolts or you could crack the tank.
13

Step Thirteen

Replace mounting bolts on base of bowl. Check to see if the toilet is level. If it is, reconnect the water supply line, turn on the water, fill up the tank and give it a test flush and check for leaks.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • You always want to make sure that you have someone to help you move the toilet assemblies because they can be quite heavy
  • Light colored bathrooms (and toilets) tend to sell a home quicker.
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