How to Install Your New Toilet like a Pro
You have obviously determined that you either want to upgrade your toilet or you have a broken toilet and you need to replace it with a new one. The first step in the process to changing out your toilet is to shut off the main water supply. Most toilets have a valve located just below the toilet tank on the wall. If you do not have this valve then you will have to shut the water off at the main, on your water supply line. After you have isolated the water supply, you are now ready for the process of removing your old toilet. Removing your old toilet can be done in one piece or two pieces, it‘s your choice. We will discuss removing your old toilet in one piece.
Disconnect the water supply line at the bottom of the toilet tank. Flush the toilet and hold the handle down until all of the water has drained from the tank. There will be a small amount of water left in the tank and in the bowl. At the bottom of the toilet bowl next to the floor you will notice a bolt/nut on each side securing the toilet to the floor. These bolts/nuts may be covered with small caps, just remove the caps first. Now remove the nut and washer on both sides of the toilet bowl. You are now ready to remove the toilet.
This next step can be done with two people or just one person. If you’re doing this by yourself, I hope you are strong. Straddle the toilet bowl and place your hands, one on each side, where the toilet lid bolts to the toilet bowl. Lift the toilet off of the toilet flange and slowly walked backwards and put the toilet down once it is removed. This can also be done with two people by having one person on each side of the toilet and completing the same process. Now you can move the old toilet out of the way and begin the process of installing a new toilet.
You will notice that where the toilet drains into the floor there is a flange. Make sure that the flange is clean, removing all traces of the old toilet wax ring. Hopefully you have purchased a new toilet wax ring and bolt kit. After you have cleaned the toilet flange, install the new toilet wax ring and toilet bolts. You will need to install the retaining washer’s on the new bolts to secure them in place so they don’t move when you are installing a new toilet. Now you are ready to install the new toilet.
New toilets normally come in two pieces, the toilet bowl and the toilet tank. First you must install the toilet bowl the same way that you removed the old one. Straddle the new toilet bowl picking it up towards the back. Slowly move forward and when you are positioned over the top of the toilet wax ring and new bolts, simply lower the toilet onto the wax ring (make sure you do not move the toilet wax ring from the flange) allowing the bolts to slide through the bolt holes on each side. If this process seems to have gone well and you did not move the wax ring, slowly pushed down on the toilet bowl until it sits firmly against the floor. Now secure the toilet bowl in place using the new nuts and washers provided. Cut the ends off the new bolts with a hack saw so they are the appropriate length and install the new caps. Now install the new tank to the toilet bowl with the kit provided. Next you want to connect your water supply line and turn your water back on. Check everything for leaks and install your toilet lid.
This completes the process of removing your old toilet and installing a new toilet. With the information provided in this article you should now be ready to perform this task yourself.
