Things You'll Need:
- Toilet
- Wax ring
- Putty knife
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- WD-40
- Silicone caulk
- Rags
- Plunger
- Cardboard
- Household cleaner
-
Step 1
Turn off the water at the valve behind the toilet. If you are installing a new toilet, the water will not be hooked up yet, so you can skip this step and the steps for removing the toilet.
-
Step 2
Flush the toilet and plunge out as much water as possible. Then unscrew the flex water line that goes from the copper water line to the toilet. Keep some rags handy, as there will still be a little water in the line.
-
Step 3
Take the top off of the toilet tank so it doesn't get knocked off and broken. Then unscrew the nuts holding on the bolts at the base of the toilet with a wrench. If they are on too tight, spray with WD-40 and let it sit on them for 15 minutes or so. If they still won't budge, you may have to cut the bolts with a hacksaw, just under the nuts. Remove the nuts.
-
Step 4
Lift the toilet off the remaining bolts and place it upside down on a large piece of cardboard so you don't damage the toilet or the floor. Scrape off the old wax ring with a putty knife. Spray the area with a little WD-40 and wipe clean with a rag. Then clean again with warm water and a rag.
-
Step 5
Take the plastic keepers off of the bolts, and take the bolts out of the flange. Clean the flange well with a regular household cleaner and a rag. If there is a lot of the old wax ring stuck on the flange, you may have to scrape it off first.
-
Step 6
Place the new bolt in the opening in the flange on one side, and slip the plastic keeper over it to hold it in place. Repeat for the other side. Place your wrench and screwdriver on the floor on either side of the flange to show the position of the bolts. This will help you to line up the toilet as you are putting it back down on the bolts, as it is hard to see them while you are holding the toilet.
-
Step 7
Place the new wax ring on the bottom of the toilet. Press it down just hard enough to hold it in place as you flip the toilet but not so hard that you distort the wax.
-
Step 8
Place the toilet on the flange by lining up the bolts to come through the holes in the toilet base. Then sit on the toilet to press the wax ring into place.
-
Step 9
Place the nuts on the bolts and tighten by hand. Then tighten them with a wrench evenly by going back and forth, tightening each one a little at a time. Be careful not to over-tighten, or you could crack the porcelain toilet base. However, they must be tight enough so that the toilet won't rock, or it may distort the wax ring and leak. Test by sitting on the toilet; if it moves, tighten a little more.
-
Step 10
Reconnect the flex line, or if this is a new toilet, install the flex line by screwing the ends onto the copper water line and the toilet intake. Turn the water valve back on, and the toilet will fill.
