While toilets may not be the most pleasant of topics, they are a necessary one! When renovating your bathroom, you are most likely going to want to replace the old toilet with a new one, and you may not want to hire a professional to do it! In this post, we are going to tell you how to install a new toilet by yourself
There are several reasons you may want a new toilet. While toilets can last a long time, they can get cracks in the bowl or tank, or water stains that are hard to remove. If you have moved into a new-to-you home, you may feel more comfortable with brand-new toilets in the bathrooms. It also may simply be time for an upgrade: today’s toilets use less water, are more efficient, come in different heights and sizes, and can have features such as seat warmers, bidets, and touchless flushing.
Can you replace your toilet yourself? Yes! Installing a new toilet is not as difficult or intimidating as you might think. With a few tools, some determination, and the ability to lift the toilet, you can remove the old one, install a new one, and save yourself the money a plumber would charge you. Continue reading to learn how to install a new toilet yourself!
How to Install a Toilet
What Do You Need?
You probably have a lot of what you need to install your new toilet, and a quick trip to the hardware store will provide you with the rest. Some of these supplies will probably come in the box with the new toilet, as well. Make sure you have:
- a new wax ring
- two flange bolts, with washers and nuts
- an extra set of washers and nuts for the flange bolts
- a new braided supply line
- a tube of waterproof caulk and a caulk gun
- a screwdriver
- an adjustable wrench
- a small hacksaw
- a putty knife
- and of course, the new toilet
When shopping for your new toilet, make sure you note the height, bowl shape, and size. Toilets come in a few different heights: 15, 17, or 19 inches tall. The taller ones, called comfort height or “right height” toilets, are often easier for older people or people with mobility challenges to use. Some people also just prefer that height.
Bowls can be circular or oval-shaped (elongated). Most people find elongated bowls more comfortable, but in a small bathroom, round might be a better choice.
In terms of size, your existing toilet may be a 10-inch rough-in, a 12-inch rough-in, or a 14-inch rough-in. Most toilets are 12-inch. Toilet rough-in distance refers to how many inches your toilet is from the floor bolts to the wall. While it is possible to change a 10-inch rough-in to a 12-inch (with a longer connector), it’s not easy to change a 12-inch to a 10-inch. Measure first and choose the one that is right for you.
The First Step
Remove Your Old Toilet
Before you remove a toilet, you must first make sure you disconnect the water supply that is going to the toilet. To do this, turn off the shut-off valve at the wall. Then flush the toilet a few times to empty the bowl and the tank. You may want to use a big sponge or old towel to soak up the remaining water inside the tank, to avoid drips.
Disconnect the supply line at the shut-off valve and at the bottom of the tank. Remove the nuts from the two mounting bolts that hold the tank onto the toilet base–one on each side of the tank (check for a possible third bolt in the center of the toilet). Carefully remove the tank.
Next, remove the trim caps from the base of the toilet. These are the plastic covers that hide the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor. They should pop right off. Remove the nuts from these two bolts as well. Gently rock the toilet from side to side to break the wax seal. Lift the base up carefully and discard the old toilet.
Pull out the old wax ring by prying it up with a putty knife; discard it. The cover that is over the pipe is called the flange; clean the old wax off of it as best you can (you can use a wire brush or a rag). Then stuff some rags or paper towels into the mouth of the pipe to keep sewer gas out of your home.
Do You Need to Replace the Flange?
The toilet flange, sometimes called a closet flange, is the plastic, PVC, or occasionally metal piece that sits at the mouth of your sewer pipe and connects it to the bottom of your toilet base. It’s an important part of a functioning, non-leaking toilet. As you’re replacing your toilet, check on the flange.
If it is loose or cracked, or rocks side-to-side, it is time to replace it. It is also important to confirm that the bottom of the flange is at the same elevation as the top of the finished floor. Often, the flange has been screwed to the subfloor and will likely result in eventual liquid or gas leakage.
If you find that the flange is screwed to the subfloor, a flange extension (which can be purchased at most home improvement stores) should be installed.
Installing a New Toilet, Step-By-Step
Step One: Assemble the New Toilet
Assuming you bought a two-part toilet, attach the tank to the bowl by lining up the holes. Hold a screwdriver inside the tank in the slot of the screw while you put a washer and nut on the bolt that comes out the bottom of the tank. Finger tighten first, then use a wrench to snug them up. It is worth referencing your toilet manufacturer’s tank installation instructions, as they can vary between manufacturers.
You also have the option of installing the toilet bowl first, then attaching the tank. If you are installing the toilet by yourself, you may want to choose this option, as it will be easier to manage.
Step Two: Prepare the Flange
Make sure the flange is clean by wiping it with a rag or paper towel. Line up the two flange bolts evenly, measuring between them and the wall to ensure they are parallel to the wall. Lock them in place by attaching the extra washers and nuts, so they won’t shift. Remove the rags you stuffed inside the sewer pipe.
Step Three: Install the Wax Ring
Always use a new wax ring when you install a new toilet! The wax ring provides the tight seal you need at the toilet base. It prevents sewer gas from entering your home, and keeps water from leaking out of the bottom of the toilet.
Place the wax ring around the discharge flange of the bottom of the toilet. Center the wax ring and apply only enough pressure to ensure the ring adheres to the bottom of the toilet (without deforming the wax ring). Place the toilet with the wax ring attached on top of the flange, lining up the flange holes with the bolt holes in the toilet base. Use your weight to push the toilet down, squishing it into the wax ring until the toilet is sitting on the floor.
Step Four: Attach the Toilet to the Flange
Tighten the nuts enough that the toilet doesn’t wobble. But don’t make them too tight, or you risk cracking the porcelain or the flange. Use the hacksaw to cut the bolts so they are shorter, with their end just above the nuts. Snap on the plastic caps.
Once you attach the toilet to the flange, make sure the toilet is resting flat on the floor. In other words, make sure the toilet does not rock. If it is not resting flat on the floor, use plastic toilet shins to level the toilet. An unstable toilet will undermine the wax ring, which prevents liquids and gas from escaping.
Step Five: Just Add Water
Connect the toilet tank to the wall with a new braided water supply line. Do not reuse the old one. It is always better to replace it with a brand-new one. Finger tighten at the wall and the base of the tank, and then use a wrench to add ⅛ turn more–but do not overtighten it! Turn the water back on and check for drips. Let the tank fill, flush it, and check for leaks around the bowl.
It’s a great idea to apply a bead of caulk around the base of the toilet, both to help support it and to keep any water from getting under it and damaging the floor. You can now attach your seat and set the lid on the tank to wrap up your toilet installation!
How Much Does it Cost to Install a New Toilet?
If you are doing the installation yourself, you can expect to spend between $200 and $300 for the toilet and materials.
Summary
You now know how to remove an old toilet, how to install a toilet flange, how to install a toilet wax ring, how long it takes to install a toilet, and how much to install a toilet. Enjoy the feeling of pride that comes with conquering a new DIY and learning more about caring for and updating your home. Are you ready for more bathroom upgrades you can do yourself? Check out this post for some ideas and inspiration!
