subject: The Ease Of Installing Toilets Yourself [print this page] Whether you're renovating your bathroom, building a completely new bathroom, the idea of installing bathroom toilets yourself may be a frightening idea, as it is to many. However, you'll be happy to know that toilets are very easy to remove and replace. By following these simple steps, you'll find you can have your new toilet installed in only a few minutes.
Shut off the water supply to the toilet so you don't have water running everywhere! You'll find the valve in underneath the toilet on a small pipe on the left side of the tank. It's very important that this is the first thing you do.
The toilet tank needs to be completely empty of water so flush it first and then sponge out the rest of the toilet water into a pail or bucket. Disconnect the tube that runs the water supply to your toilet tank.
Take out the bolts on the bottom of the tank. This is what holds bathroom toilets in place so, once removed; you should be able to lift the tank off the toilet. The base of toilets has decorative trim caps covering the flange bolts. Remove both the caps and the flange bolts. If your toilet is old, your bolts may be corroded and need to be cut off with a hacksaw.
Standing above the toilet, gently rock it back and forth to break the seal holding it in place. Once you can feel it loosen, lift it off the floor and out of your way. Clean the residue of wax that will remain around the flange hole in the floor. If you're going to install the same toilet, wipe the wax from it as well.
Put new flange bolts in the holes and put a new wax ring on the flange. Slowly lower the toilet onto the wax ring, pushing down on the toilet to ensure the wax ring develops a watertight seal. Place the nuts and washers on the flange bolts making sure they're not too tight as to crack the bowl. Attach the toilet tank, using a rubber gasket between the toilet and the tank and washers in the tank.
Connect your water supply line to the tank and turn the water back on to check for any leaks. Put the decorative caps back on the flange bolts, install your new toilet seat, and enjoy your new toilet!
