supercede an sometime , leaky stool with these simple steps .

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When a bathroom starts exhibit sign of wearing , like leaks orconstant running urine , it might be fourth dimension to supervene upon it . take an old toilette and set up a new one is n’t as difficult as it might seem . Most DIYers with a bit of plumbing system knowledge should be capable to harness this job .

white toilet in bathroom with shiplap walls

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It ’s helpful to have a second soul to aid carry out the old toilet and the newfangled toilet into the john . instead , you may take apart a two - piece toilet and carry one piece at a meter . If toilet problems are not settle quickly , they can lead to gamey water bills , leaks , and water damage . expend this guide to learn how to replace a toilet .

Before You Begin

Not every problem ask replacing the throne , so before purchasing a new toilet , trouble-shoot the issue to determine if there is an easier answer . For example , if the throne is extend perpetually , you may only demand to supervene upon the flapper , which takes a few minutes and costs significantly less than a new toilet . Similarly , an experient DIYer can replace a faulty loaded valve or fill valve without much difficulty .

If the existent crapper is damaged , importantly worn , or does n’t suit the preference of the user , the next whole tone is to measure the space . take proper measurements ensures that the new toilet will fit in the john . Also , gather some old towels , cloths , or rags that you do n’t listen getting wet or dirty .

How to Measure for a New Toilet

The right measurements are necessary for purchase the good toilet for the bathroom . If the measuring are wrong , the privy might not fit in good order . It could push up against the bulwark , heel counter , dressing table , sump , plumbing wrinkle , tubful , shower , or even overhead shelving . Even if the toilet fit , it may not sit over the drain line in good order if the measuring are off , so precise measuring are necessary before buying a new toilet or starting this Book of Job .

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

How to Replace a Toilet

Prepare the Area

set up up for the replacement job by put down down some old towels and placing a bucket under thetoilet tankwhere the incoming water supply tune connects . site the unexampled toilet on a towel until it is needed to prevent it from scraping the floor .

Have a worn towel and a orotund garbage bag nearby to enwrap up the previous toilet tank and base so that they do n’t drip or leak onto the floor while you carry them out of the house . You should also have a few ragtime on hand to scavenge the floor after removing the old toilet .

Turn the Water Off and Drain the Toilet

There is unremarkably an isolation valve turn up at the base of the throne on the incoming water supply melodic line . Turn off this valve to shut down the menses of water to the toilet . Then blush the toilet to run out most of the water .

Water remains in the stool , so the next step is to employ a set ofchannel curl plier or a wrenchto disconnect the water supply provision line , grant any stay on water from the cooler to drain into the pail .

Use a large sponge to overcharge up any piddle result in the toilet , rack the poriferan into the bucketful until the toilet is altogether empty .

Unscrew the Bolts and Remove the Toilet

Locate the bolts on either side of the toilet . These bolts are currently holding the throne in place . Use an adjustable twist or a set of communication channel shut away plyers to unscrew the bolts . Next , run a putty knife or utility tongue around the al-Qaeda of the bathroom to veer through the caulk .

When the toilet is free , raise the toilet away from the floor . This may take two people depending on the DIYer ’s intensity and the toilet ’s weight . Wrap the base of the sewer with an erstwhile towel or garbage grip and transport it alfresco .

If you are completing this repair alone , remove the toilet tankful before removing the base . Accomplish this by unscrew the tank bolt and purloin the tank car off the bowl to separate the two piece .

Pry Off the Wax Seal and Clean the Floor

If the wax seal or toilet seal of approval did not swipe up with the toilet , prise it off the rim with a putty tongue . put away the old wax seal and scrape aside any remaining rest or remnant rubble while leave the flange in situation .

visit the flange and replace it if it is crack or otherwise damaged . If the rim is in dear condition , it can be reused . remove the rim and the smother expanse with an honest-to-god cloth or rag before proceeding .

If you still need to pick up the new commode or are take a break , material a tatter in the drain hole to prevent sewage exhaust fumes from waft out before you set up the new toilet . This also blocks the hole to forestall tools from falling in .

Replace the Toilet Bolts

contain the existing commode bolt of lightning . In some cases , they may be OK to recycle , but typically , they should be interchange , especially if there is any mark of rust or degradation .

Usually , a novel toilet comes with unexampled toilet bolt , so unscrew and remove the old dash and then insert and secure the new bolt that came with the toilet . If the new toilet did not descend with john bolt , you much purchase these division individually .

Install the New Wax Ring

A wax ring seals the connection between the sewer and the drain . A young toilet unremarkably comes with a wax ring , but if it does n’t , pick one up from the local home betterment shop .

open up the wax pack and focus on it on the flange , ensuring that the sloped edge of the wax ring is facing down so that the narrow end bear on the rim . If done aright , the wax ring make a seal to forestall water and waste from leak onto the trading floor .

Position and Secure the Toilet Bowl

Have a second person help harbour the toilette so the outlet drain is positioned directly over the wax band . Lower the toilet , adjust the position to allow the bolt to pass through the bolt of lightning muddle on either side of the toilet . With the sewer in stead , force down firmly and shake the commode back and onward to seal the wax ring .

If you are installing a two - piece can , completing this part of the project might be easier before link up the can tank , especially if you do n’t have a second somebody to help take the weight .

After threading the deadbolt , fix the toilet arena in placement by adding plastic washers and tightening new nuts onto the bolts by hand . Finish tighten the thunderbolt with a wrench or channel lock plier .

Trim the Toilet Bolts and Level the Toilet

If the pot bolt are stick around up too much to put on the decorative cap , use a hacksawto trim the bolts to the appropriate size . Wipe away any metal filings to forefend metal splinters .

likewise , if the toilet seems unbalanced , use a levelto verify ; then habituate toilet shims to level the pot . slew a shim under the front , back , or sides to slightly align the position until the toilet is even .

Connect the Toilet Tank and Supply Line

Two - piece toilets can be disconnected to make the toilet installation well-situated . If you disconnected the john storage tank before set up the toilette bowl , put the bit back together now .

verify gum elastic gasket are in position , and slide the tankful bolts through the holes so they extend out the bottom of the tankful . arrange the gutter tank onto the roll so that the bolts slide into the hole on the back of the bathroom sports stadium . Tighten Modern screwball onto the bolt to batten down the connection .

Next , connect the incoming piss supply line to the fundament of the sewer tank . practice a set of channel lock pair of pliers or a wrench to reduce the screwball until the connection is close-fitting .

Turn On the Water and Test for Leaks

Now that the stool is installed and the water supply line is connected , turn the weewee back onat the isolation valve . delay the connection between the water line and the toilet tank , as well as the connection between the toilet armored combat vehicle and the gutter bowling ball , for any leaks .

After the toilet tank has satisfy entirely , flush the toilet to see it works . Also , check the base for any foretoken that wastefulness water is leaking from the wax seal . If this is the case , you may need to adjust the position of the wax seal or tighten the lav bolts .

Caulk the Base of the Toilet

As long as there are no leaks , you’re able to use aquality caulk guntoapply a astragal of waterproof silicone polymer caulkaround the front and sides of the crapper . Leave the back of the toilet uncaulked so urine can escape if a leak forms . This will allow you to detect the leak faster , instead of pin the urine under the commode , where it can molder the story .

Install a Toilet Seat

The terminal step of this business is to instal the toilet behind . Ideally , you took measurements in front of sentence and purchase a can seat that equip the fresh toilet decently . delineate up the toilet tush with the hole in the john pipe bowl , and thread the bolts through the hole so they extend through both the toilet bottom and the toilet .

Add a washer to each deadbolt , and tighten young nuts onto the bolt to secure the gutter bum . If necessary , use a wrench or a band of channel lock plyer to tighten the nut , but ensure that you do n’t overtighten the nut , as this can make it difficult to move out the toilet seat in the future tense .