About Installing a Toilet

Any project involving plumbing should be taken very seriously due to the possible damage to property. Before replacing or installing a toilet, get familiar with all the working parts. Know the difference between the tank sealer and the flange that sits on the floor. In addition, be certain that the water valve feeding the water to the tank is turned off. If the valve is more than a few years old, it may be a good idea to turn off the main water valve to the house.

Misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief, replacing a toilet is more than loosening a couple of bolts and removing the old toilet. After the water supply has been turned off, empty the tank by flushing the toilet. Do not assume that the water supply is completely off. After flushing, listen to the water line. If there is a slow trickle, you will hear it passing through the connection to the toilet tank. Sometimes trash can get in the waterline when turning the valve.

Function

Toilet bowls hold water, even if you cannot see any in the bowl itself. There is an "S" trap between the bowl and the drainpipe in the floor. It will hold water even after the toilet has been flushed and there's no water supply to refill it. When the toilet is lifted from the floor and tilted, the remaining water in the trap will flow out. Remove the tank from the bowl, and then picking the bowl up slowly, take it to the bathtub or the shower and tilt it there.

Types

Because toilets come in different brands, there are different types of installation. The main difference is how the tank is secured to the bowl. For example, some will have a hole for the tank bolts to pass through the tank and bowl during final assembly. Every toilet will have a seal that goes between the tank and the bowl and on the inside of the tank where the bolt slips through. The difference in types is largely due to the design of the tank.

Prevention/Solution

When installing a new toilet, be certain that the wax ring seals the toilet between the bottom of the toilet and the floor. Just a small seepage can cause damage to subflooring, which could result in injury. The best way to avoid this is to install the bowl separate from the tank. First, be certain that the flange is secured to the floor and the tank bolts are in place. Turn the bowl over and place the wax ring around the opening of the drain. Press down firmly. Slip the tank bolts in the flange through the holes on either side of the bowl and secure it to the floor.

Features

Toilets are not all created equal. Some have a better design than others. This is the reason you will see a difference in cost from one toilet to the next. One reason for this is that some toilets have additional features. One such feature is the flush valve. Some are quite noisy. All flush valves work on a buoy system, or float, and work in conjunction with the flapper. You will find these on the end of a rod inside the tank or on a mast. If this part of the toilet doesn't work properly, you can end up with a high water bill. Another feature is the mechanism for flushing. The handle or the auto-sensor are the choices in this feature.

Resources

• Assembling And Installing A New Toilet