Replacing a Toilet in Your Home
Most toilets are sold with the parts needed for the install. You may still need to purchase parts in addition to what was included in the package you bought. Such parts may be a wax gasket to seal the drain, bolts and flexible water supply tube.
Make sure you have all the tools necessary to complete the job. Makes it go easier, so you don’t have to stop what your doing to look for a tool. Be sure to turn off the water at the shut off valve before beginning installation of your new toilet or you may have a big mess on your hands.
Empty the bowl and tank by flushing the toilet, be sure to remove any remaining water with an old towel or sponge. Next you need to detach the water supply tube from the shut off valve. You must drain any water that may come out from the tube into a bucket. Now you have to unscrew the coupling nut on the supply tube on the bottom of the tank.
Okay, now that you have done that you are ready to take off the bolts in the bottom of the tank that hold it onto the toilet and lift the tank off of the toilet carefully. Then you undo the toilet bolts that hold the toilet to the flange. You must rock the toilet gently back and forth to break the seal at the base. Lift and remove the toilet. Be sure to stuff an old rag into the drainpipe to prevent sewer gases from coming into your home. Scrape the remains of any of the old wax gasket away with an old putty knife or whatever you can find that will work.
Now you’re ready to install your new toilet. Remove the old towel from the drainpipe you placed in it earlier. Put your two brand new closet bolts into the hole standing up. Place the new wax ring onto the flange. Lower your new toilet onto the wax ring and be sure you line up the bolts so they come up through the holes in the base of the toilet. You may have to have a friend assist with getting the bolts to line up through the holes. Apply pressure on the toilet by pressing down on it to create a watertight seal. Use plastic shims if need be to make the adjustments if the toilet rocks a bit. Which can be really annoying.
Hand-tighten the washers and nuts onto the bolts. Now guys, do not over tighten it may crack the bowl! Now you must attach the toilet tank. Assemble the flush valve inside the tank and tighten the large nut in the center. Place the rubber tank gasket on the bowl. Position the tank over the bowl and tighten the nuts and washers onto the mounting bolts provided. Then you hook up the supply tubes and open the shutoff valve. Don’t forget to check for any leaks. Attach the toilet seat and tank cover and your project is finished.
