How to Remove and Replace A Toilet

Are you interested in exchanging a loud, and leaky toilet in your home for a new one? Or perhaps you may be replacing the flooring in your bathroom and you need to remove the toilet for your flooring project. Any homeowner with basic do-it-yourself skills and tools can properly remove and replace their toilet. Before you begin, a few things you will need are, a new wax ring, a sponge or a towel to soak the excess water, maybe a pair of rubber gloves (your choice), thread sealing tape and a new water supply regardless if you are installing a new toilet or re-using your old one.

The very first thing you want to do is turn off the water supply line. Look on the wall behind the toilet for a knob similar to a wall mounted faucet knob, this is the water supply line. Then, to remove any excess water from the tank, flush the toilet several times and then hold up drain valve (a long plastic stick, usually blue). After repeated flushes, there will still be some water left behind, this is where your sponge or towel and rubber gloves come in handy. Saturate the sponge or towel with the excess water in the tank. Then you want to move on to remove any standing from the bowl. Once the excess water from the tank and the bowl are removed you may now free the old water supply line running from the wall into the toilet.

Now that all the excess water is removed, the supply line is disconnected and there is no chance of you making a big mess, it�s time to get down to the good stuff, removing the old toilet. First you want to remove the caps at the base of the toilet. If these caps are severely corroded and difficult to remove, use a utility knife to cut the caulk around the base of the toilet. You may have to rock the toilet back and forth to free it from the floor. Once the toilet is free to move, lift it straight up and place it aside.

The next step is to remove the old wax ring and replace it with a new wax ring, if the old one needs to be replaced. Use the utility knife to pry the wax ring from the flange. Be sure to scrape any excess wax from the flange before installing the new ring. If you are installing a new toilet, place the new wax ring on the bottom of the new toilet while it is turned over. Set the wax ring in place with the plastic portion facing upwards and away from the toilet. If you are simply removing your toilet, but you are not replacing it, or you plan to use your old wax ring, then the former does not apply to you.

Next, you want to replace the water supply line. It is recommended to go ahead and install a new water supply line, as they can often lose their seal after being agitated. Take the thread sealing tape and wrap up to five layers around the pipe threads. The tape will help the connection have a better seal to prevent any leaks. Put the new water supply line in place and fasten the nuts or connectors securely at both ends.

Now it is time to put the toilet back in place. Carefully lower the new toilet in place so that the two bolts extend through the two holes at the bottom of the toilet. Now press firmly down on the bowl being careful not to rock back and forth or twist, simply press straight down; you would not want to start all over again. Your body weight will compress the wax ring giving the ultimate seal. Next place a nut cover over each bolt, then a washer and then a nut. Then you want to trim the excess from the screws. If your screws were pre-scored they may be broken off easily with a pair of pliers. If your screws are not pre-scored, use a hacksaw to trim any excess. Finally place the caps over the bolt.

The final step is to set the tank in place. Lightly place then tank on top of the bowl and gently set it into position. Place washers then nuts and then tighten them. Check to make sure the tank is level as you continue to tighten the connections. Turn the water on via the water supply on the wall and flush the toilet a few times. Check to make sure there are no leaks and then caulk around the base of the toilet for completion.

Robert Surowiec is the author of this article on Installing A Toilet. Find more information about Removing An Old Toilet here.