How to Install a Toliet

Whether it has cracked, uses too much water or, just is not the right color anymore, it may be time to replace the trusty old toilet. Most people think of this to be a very challenging task that requires a plumber but they are wrong. This is the easiest plumbing job ever! Don't get me wrong, it still is not as easy as 1-2-3, but, it is a lot easier than most portray it to be. You will either need a strong back or a nice, young, strong helper as toilets are very heavy. I would like to show you how to do it yourself!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench (Size varies according to your toilet)
• Wax Ring (New)
• Putty Knife
• Strong helper
• Toilet Seat

1. Remove the old toilet!
   
   It is time to remove your old, nasty toilet. If you have all the items required as listed above, you are all set ready to go. First thing is first, we need to remove all the water from the old toilet. To do this, the first step is to shut off the water to the toilet. Behind the toilet there should be a valve that you can turn off. There, you have just shut off the water to the toilet. Now you need to remove the rest. Flush the toilet. The back of your toilet will empty or come near. Finish emptying the toilet tank with your hand or sponge. When you are comfortable with the ammount of water, or lack there of, remove the water supply line. You can usually do this by hand or with Channel locks or a Crescent wrench. Now you will need to find how the tank is attached to the bowl and remove the tank. Usually there is a screw on the inside of the tank going down. Once you have removed the tank, if there is any water left in it, dump it into the tub or shower. Set the tank somewhere safe. Now, the bowl is bolted into the floor by a flange. Usually this is only done by two bolts towards the back of the toilet and are usually covered with caps. Remove the caps and undo the bolts. The bowl is now free. Remember, there is a wax ring under the toilet providing a seal between the bowl and toilet. Be prepared to set the bowl onto a board of some sort or the wax ring will soil your floor. Now, plug the drain with some kind of cloth to prevent the gases from escaping into the house. Take your putty knife and scrape the remains of the old wax ring off the floor and clean the floor.

2. Set the new wax ring.
   
   Now you are ready to put your new wax ring down. Take the wax ring out of any packaging it may be in and carefully put the wax ring onto the flange. If your new toilet came with a new flange and new bolts I suggest using them rather than the old ones.

3. Set the new toilet.
   
   Now, take the new bowl and press it straight down onto the flange and wax ring until it rests on the floor. Now you will need to fasten the bowl down by the same two bolts you took off of the old toilet. Once you have done this you are ready to install the tank.

4. Install the tank.
   
   Making sure to be extremely careful, lower the tank onto the bolts of the new bowl, guiding the bolts into the slots of the tank. You can now fasten down your tank to the bowl. Attach the flapper to the tank chain so that you will be able to flush. Also return the water supply line to the back of the new toilet.

5. Attach the seating assembly.
   
   I bet you would like somewhere to sit at on your toilet without falling straight through. I guess that means you need a toilet seat. Assuming you already have a seat, I guess we are ready to install it. Slide the bolts into place and the nuts and tighten them by hand and put the covers back over them. Turn on the supply valve, flush six times, and check for leaks. If all is well, you have completed your task.

Tips & Warnings

• Get Help
• Make it fun!
• Do not attempt to do this yourself or you will hurt yourself. Toilets can be very heavy!

[JeannieKerns]

on 5/4/2009 LOL nasty toilet.. Ya know that stuff is gross when you lift it off the floor.. I dont care how clean you are.. Its just nasty..:-) Great article on installing a toilet :-)