How to Remove a Toilet when Replacing Flooring

When preparing to remove flooring in a bathroom remodeling project you will first have to remove the toilet. If you have never done it before it may seem intimidating but you can do it easily if you follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Crecent wrench (adjustable wrench
• Screwdriver
• Paint scraper,
• Bucket with soapy water
• sponge
• Gloves
• Lysol disinfectant

1. First put your rubber gloves on, spray Lysol around the base of the toilet and then use a sponge and soapy water to clean up around the base.
   Flush the toilet a couple of times, then turn off the valve coming out of the wall or floor. Use the sponge to soak up any water in the tank and squeeze it into the bucket.
2. Loosen and remove the flexible pipe attached to the valve on the wall or floor with a crescent wrench. You may want to remove the tank from the bowl to make it easier to handle (or not). To do this loosen the bolts holding the tank on and lift it off. Remove the little plastic hats that cover the nuts that are attached to the bolts coming out of the floor which hold the toilet down. You will need to remove any caulking if there is any between the tiles and the base of the toilet with a scraper or utility knife. Once the nuts holding it down are remove, gently rock the toilet back and forth, and breaking it free of the wax seal holding it down.
3. Remove the old wax seal using your putty knife (wear gloves the whole time) and plug the hole with a wet rag so that sewer fumes don't enter the room. Remove any remaining wax from the bottom of the toilet. To replace the toilet you will need the same size wax ring and if it is older, it is recommended that you replace the flexible hose going to the wall valve.
   Done.
   Now your bathroom remodeling project can proceed to the next step.

Tips & Warnings

• Disinfect your tools with a quarter cup of bleach in a gallon of water and then rinse them.
• Consider replacing the toilet if it is an older, wasteful 5 gallon flush model. Most new low flush toilets work just as well and save on your water bill.
• Always wear rubber gloves to prevent infection and wash all tools thoroughly.