How to Install a Replacement Toilet
Step 1. Finding the correct replacement toilet is little bit more complicated than just finding one that catches your eye. Some toilets have different configurations and can cause problems if you get the right one. Know the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. If you know this measurement and choose a replacement considering this you can’t go wrong.
Step 2. Shut off water supply coming into toilet. This is done by turning the valve that should be located at the wall behind the toilet clockwise. Once this is done you need to flush the toilet to drain water. If the toilet is silent and does not try to fill back up you have it off, if not try, try again.
Step 3. Saving your floor. You really should put down some old sheets or dropped cloths between your bath room and where you plan to exit with the toilet. There may particles of rust or pieces of the wax sealant ring that may come off during travel. Also, use a large sponge to get almost all if not all of the water out of the bowl before moving. It has a tendency to find its way onto your rug just when you think that everything is all clear.
Step 4. Remove “Johnny” bolt’s nuts from the each side of the toilet. Save them off to the side just in case. Now pull the toilet. This may require two people and the correct way to do it is pulling it straight up to get it off the flange and keep from damaging anything.
Step 5. Clean off old wax sealant from toilet flange on floor. This seems pretty disgusting but is necessary to ensure that the new toilet has a good. This is also a good time to inspect the floor that was under the toilet for signs of water damage and if there is damage you may need to replace that section of floor and sub floor to give the new toilet a solid base.
Step 6. Dispose of toilet. This may be challenging because where are you going to put it. I have found that garbage collectors will take just about anything if it is small enough to fit in a trash bag. This can be done with a hammer while donning a pair of safety glasses. I have gotten rid of a few of these old ones by giving them a little at a time over a couple of weeks.
Step 7. Assemble new toilet. You should have a bowl, a tank and guts for search of a better word. The toilet bowl and tank should be assembled together at this time using the bolts and rubber grommets provided. Be careful to get them tight enough to prevent leaks but not so tight that you are going to hear the sound of breaking porcelain. The toilets insides can be installed now or after the toilet is in place.
Step 8 Install wax ring. Make sure that you installed the ring according to the picture that is on the box. The wax part is up and the plastic or rubber center piece fits into your soil pipe.
Step 9. Set toilet into place. The Johnny bolts need to be in place first and the toilet will need to be lifted over the bolts and lowered straight down on top of them. Once the toilet is down and the bolts are clear, push down firmly on the toilet to get it to seal onto wax ring. I usually push down and rotate it back and forth to make sure that it is fully inserted. Now tighten bolts and be sure to remember here that porcelain will crack if you tighten with too much force.
Step 10. Finishing installing toilets insides and turn water back on. There should be detailed instructions for installing the inner workings into your new toilet and configurations vary widely from model to model. Replace supply hose to inlet of tank. Once you think you have it turn the water back on and see what happens. Check for leaks as the tank fills at all fittings and bolts using a dry cloth to wipe off any leaks and tighten and recheck.
Step 11 Final touches. Most toilets are set to be as environmentally friendly as possible and still get the job done. You can adjust the water level in the toilet by following the instructions that came with the flush valve assembly.
Happy flushing.
Tools needed: Adjustable wrench, channel locks, screw driver, sponge or towels, drop cloths, and possibly putty knife.
