Replacing a Toilet with Easy Do-It-Yourself Instructions

You would like to replace the toilet in your bathroom, but you wonder how much it will cost to call the plumber to do it for you. There is no need to call the plumber. Replacing the toilet is one of the easy do-it-yourself jobs. The only problem is the weight. You might have to get a friend or relative to help you remove the old toilet and put the new one into place.

The first job of course is to find a replacement toilet. There is a multitude of choices available and you should easily find one to your liking. The new models are often not only more comfortable, but also will provide savings due to the reduced amount of water they use per flush. However, you need to make sure your new toilet will fit into the space of the old one. Thus, take measurements before you leave the house to look for a new one.

Once the new toilet is in your home, you can go to work. First you have to turn off the water supply to your old toilet. Underneath the tank you can find a supply valve, usually located to the left side. Turn it to shut off the water. Lift the top off the tank and flush the tank until the tank and the toilet bowl are empty. Any remaining water should be sponged off. Next you need to disconnect the water supply line that runs from the supply valve to the tank. If the water supply line does not need replacement, you only need to disconnect it at the tank side. Then you take out the connector inside the tank.

The next step is to remove the old tank. You start by unscrewing the bolts inside the tank. You should use pliers to hold the nuts on the underside of the tank while you do this. You can lift off the tank and set it aside.

Next you move on to removing the old toilet bowl. To make your job easier, you should remove the old toilet seat. Check for remaining water in the bowl and sponge it off, if necessary. Then you remove the bolts at the base of the toilet. You might have to remove anything that is covering these bolts as well as any plumber’s putty that might surround the bolts. These bolts are usually on very tight. Use lubricant to loosen them up a little. Once the bolts are removed you can just lift up the toilet and set it to the side.

Now you are left with a hole in the ground, the drainpipe. Stuff an old rag into the drainpipe in a way that you can easily remove it but also won’t fall in. This prevents anything from going down the drainpipe and blocking it. But more importantly those foul gases won’t be able to come up and bother you.

The drainpipe is surrounded by something called the flange. Unscrew this part and lift it out of the ground. Stuff an old rag into the drainpipe in a way that you can easily remove it. This prevents anything from going down the drainpipe and blocking it. Surrounding the border of the drainpipe is probably some plumber’s putty, which should be scraped off with a scraper.

Check the floor to see, if it is rotten or needs otherwise replacing. If that is the case, you will have to do that at this point.

Now you can move on to installing the new toilet bowl and tank. First you apply plumber’s putty around the base of the bolts to hold them better in place. Then you screw in the new flange. Make sure you properly fasten it to the drainpipe and floor.

Put a towel on the floor near you project and put your new toilet on it upside down. The towel will protect the surface of your new toilet from scratches. Take the wax gasket and push it on the base horn. You need to push really hard to make sure it sticks into place.

Take the rag out of the drainpipe. Turn your new toilet back upright and place it into its position over the drainpipe. The bolts need to align to the base. Place a level across the bowl to make sure the bowl is leveled. You might have to use shims to level the bowl. Shims are placed between the toilet base and the floor.

Next place a metal washer over each bolt at the base of the toilet. Then you should carefully tighten the nuts. It is best to alternate and move slowly, because you do not want to crack your new toilet bowl. There will probably be a gap between the base and the floor. Do not attempt to tighten the base to the floor. Such a gap is normal and caused by the new wax ring. Once you are done with the complete installation and the new toilet functions properly, you can use silicone caulk to close the gap.

Last but not least, you have to install the new toilet tank. First you put a spud washer over the inlet opening. Place the new tank so it lines up with the holes and carefully and slowly (to avoid cracks) bolt it to the bowl.

Finally, you have to reattach the water supply to the tank. Around the threads of the water supply line you should put Teflon tape. Put in the connecter inside the tank and reconnect the water supply line from the outside.

Now you can turn the water supply back on. The tank should fill. Ensure your new toilet flushes properly by testing the flush function a couple of times. If everything works properly and there are no leaks, you can attach the new toilet seat and you are all set.