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How to Install a New Toilet in 5 Easy
Steps
Simple Instructions for Installing a
Toilet in Less than One Hour
By: Mark J. Donovan
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If your toilet has a hairline crack in it and is leaking, or it is old and
damaged in some other way, then you really have no other choice but to install a
new toilet. Installing a toilet doesn’t require the skill of a plumber if you
have a couple of basic tools, a towel, and a little muscle. Most moderately
skilled DIY homeowners can install a toilet in about one hour of effort.
Buying New Toilet
When you buy your replacement toilet, note that you are buying both the toilet
bowl and the toilet tank.
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Consequently make sure when buying the new toilet that it
includes all the necessary gaskets, washers, toilet seat, and other hardware
necessary for assembling the toilet. Most toilet manufacturers include these
items with the toilet tank and bowl. Also, make sure to pick up a toilet wax
gasket ring. This item ensures an airtight seal between the base of the toilet
and the toilet flange that sits in the floor.
For tools you’ll need a pair of channel lock pliers, a bucket, a screw driver, a
putty knife, a small paper cup, and a large towel.
Removing Old Toilet
First turn off the water to the toilet tank and flush the toilet to drain the
bowl. Next, disconnect the end of the supply line pipe that is connected to the
base of the toilet tank. You may need your channel lock pliers to loosen the
nut. Make sure to position your bucket underneath the nut so any residual water
in the tank drains into the bucket. Then use the small paper cup to empty any
residual water out of the toilet bowl.
Next remove the two nut cap covers and nuts that are attached to the two long
vertical toilet flange bolts.
Finally, lift the entire toilet upwards and carry it out of the bathroom.
Alternatively you can remove the screws that hold the tank to the bowl so that
you can take the tank and bowl out separately.
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Installing Toilet Bowl
First remove any of the old toilet wax ring material from around the flange
using your putty knife and install the new wax ring. If the wax ring has a
tapered side, install the wax ring with the flat side facing upwards. Then
install the new ¼” in diameter flange bolts into the side holes of the flange.
Next place the toilet bowl over the toilet flange making sure the bolts slide up
through the two bolt holes on either side of the toilet. You may want to sit
directly over the toilet bowl, facing the wall, to help rock the toilet bowl
flush down on the floor and to create a perfect seal with the wax ring.
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Then install the washers and nuts over the bolts and tighten them up very
gently. It’s important to not over-tighten them as otherwise you may crack the
toilet bowl. Once the toilet is operational check again that the bolts are snug
downed, but again not over-tightened.
Installing Toilet Tank
Next install the 2” rubber gasket onto the toilet tank, as well as the rubber
washers for the bolts that hold the toilet tank to the bowl.
| Then lift up the tank and place it over the toilet bowl so
that the bolt holes line up with one another between the two sections of the
toilet. While sitting on the toilet facing the wall insert the two large
bolts down into the tank and through the bowl bolt holes. Place metal
washers and nuts on the ends of the bolts, underneath the toilet tank/bowl
connection, and tighten them up. Again, do not over-tighten the bolts.
You’ll will need a large flat head screw driver and channel lock pliers to
tighten up these bolts. |
Photo by Mark Donovan |
Installing Toilet Fill Valve and Connecting Supply Line
Install the toilet tank fill valve and toilet tank handle into the toilet tank
and attach the supply line to the underside of the toilet bowl. Again you’ll
need your channel lock pliers to do this.
Finally turn water back on to the toilet and allow the toilet to fill up. Flush
it and confirm that there are no leaks, and that it flushes properly. If the
toilet rocks in any way install a shim where necessary under the toilet bowl. If
the floor is flat, and the toilet is installed properly a shim should not be
required. That said, tiled bathroom floors are not always perfectly flat.
And with that, you’ve installed your new toilet.
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For more help on changing a
toilet wax ring see the
Changing a Toilet Wax Ring EBook from
HomeAdditionPlus.com. The
Changing a Toilet Wax Ring EBook will quickly explain to you in
detail the step-by-step process for changing the wax ring on a toilet and
includes how-to pictures for every key step in the process.
For more help on bathroom remodeling, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet.
The
Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet
provides you with the knowledge and information you need to plan a bathroom addition
project, and what to look for when hiring contractors. It
also includes a detailed cost breakdown table and a spreadsheet for estimating
your own new bathroom remodeling building costs.
Plumbing - Toilet Repair / Toilet
Maintenance
Additional Home Plumbing Resources
Toilets and Toilet Repair Parts from Amazon.com
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