How to Install a New Toilet

There are many reasons to install a new toilet including water conservation, remodeling, for the handicapped or elderly or replacement of a broken fixture. A new toilet can be bought at most home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes. They are sold by the pieces (bowl, tank, seat) or some manufacturers make a complete kit, which includes most everything you will need in one box.

Items needed:
All-in-One kit and braided supply line

-Or-

Toilet Bowl
Tank
Seat
Wax Ring
Braided toilet supply line
Closet bolts
Bolt caps

Tools needed:
Adjustable wrench
Hacksaw
Phillips screwdriver
Slip joint pliers
Flat blade screwdriver
Putty knife
Old towels
Disposable rubber gloves
Bucket

First turn off the water supply to the toilet at the shut off valve. Put down old towels to catch any water from the old supply line. Remove the supply line from the shut off valve with an adjustable wrench. Remove the tank lid and place aside. Hold the handle down to remove the remaining water from the tank. Use old towels to soak up remaining water in bottom of tank; also soak up the remaining water out of the toilet bowl. Remove the closet bolt caps with the edge of a putty knife and remove the closet bolts that hold the toilet to the floor with the adjustable wrench. If nuts are rusted onto bolts cut off with a hacksaw. Open the box and unpack the new toilet and check for damage or missing parts. Clean off any caulk on bottom edge of toilet and floor with a putty knife. Spread out old towels on both sides of the toilet to catch any remaining water from the toilet. Grasp the toilet on both sides of the bowl and lift straight up and put into the box to help with moving the old toilet to the trash. Clean off the old wax ring from the flange with the putty knife and towels but on the put on rubber gloves first. Place the new wax ring on the flange and the install the new closet bolts to the flange also.

Place the new toilet bowl over the closet bolts and wax ring. Press firmly and use even pressure to depress the toilet into the wax ring. Tighten the nuts on the closet bolts a little at a time, alternating back and forth between the two nuts. Place the decorative bolt caps on the closet bolts and place the rubber gasket on the tank flange. Put one metal washer then a rubber washer on the tank bolt and put the tank on to the toilet and place the bolts and washers through the tank and toilet. Put a washer and nut on the bolt and tighten the nuts alternatively till the tank compresses the rubber gasket. Attach the new braided supply line to the toilet valve and to the shut off valve.

Turn on the water at the valve and check for leaks along the supply line. Also check for leaks at the toilet tank and bowl. Flush the toilet a couple of times to check for leaks at the floor and wax ring. Attach toilet seat to the bowl and tighten the two bolts firmly Put tank lid on the tank clean up any remaining towels. Apply a thin bead of caulk to the toilet along the floor. Enjoy the pleasure of installing the new toilet yourself