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How to Replace Your Toilet

There are a number of reasons that would lead you to making the decision to replace your toilet. You may need to replace the wax seal, get better access to the drain or perhaps you just want to install a new toilet.

If it is time for you to remove or replace your toilet, this guide will help make the job much easier, follow along.

Disconnecting the Toilet for Removal

Before you can do anything, you first need to disconnect the existing toilet. This process requires a few different steps, which we have covered below:

  1. Disconnecting the water supply - The water supply line is the small hose that leads from the wall to the underside of your toilet tank. Begin by turning off the valve that protrudes from the wall.  Once turned off, you may use a crescent wrench or pliers (depending on the type of fitting) to disconnect the supply line from the back side of your toilet.
  2. Draining the tank and bowl - Once the supply line has been turned off and disconnected, it is time to clear the water from your toilets tank and bowl. In most cases you can get about two flushes out of a disconnected toilet, don't be alarmed if there is some water remaining in the bowl, this is common.
  3. Removing the flange nuts - Toilets are securely fastened to the floor with two bolts, often referred to as flange bolts.  These toilet sits down over these bolts and is then tightened down.  You should be able to locate one bolt on each side of the toilets base, they may be hidden under plastic caps. The plastic caps can be popped off with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver. Once you can see the bolts, use a wrench or deep socket to remove them.
  4. Lift off the toilet - Once the flange bolts have been removed, you should be ready to lift the toilet up off floor where it sits. Sometimes, the toilet will not move because of a seal from the caulking. You can usually remedy this by gently rocking the toilet from side to side until the seal breaks, if this doesn't work you may need to use a razor or putty knife to cut through the caulking.
  5. Draining the rest of the water - As mentioned above, there may be some remaining water in the toilet bowl while you are removing it. The easiest solution to drain this water is to gently set the toilet down in a bathtub or shower and tip it forward allowing the water to drain. This is also a great time to rinse down the toilet and get it cleaned up if it is being reinstalled.

The Toilet is Removed, What Now?

Well, the hard part of this job is behind us. You now need to remove the wax ring. Depending on its age, it may lift right off, or you may need to use a putty knife to scrape it off the floor and the toilet flange. Once the area is cleaned and all of the old wax residue is removed, you can put down a new wax ring. These are widely available at only major home improvement store.

Once you have your wax ring in place, you can either reset the toilet, or install your new one. To install your toilet, simply follow the removal steps above in reverse, like this:

  1. Seat the toilet on the wax ring and push down firmly to get a good seal. Make sure that the flange bolts are sticking up through the toilet base.
  2. Place the washers and nuts on the flange bolts and secure them with a wrench or socket. Do not over tighten or you may crack the porcelain base, causing the toilet to leak and require replacement.
  3. Securely attach the water supply line to your toilet tank. Again do not over tighten, as this may cause damage to the porcelain or fill valve located inside of the tank.
  4. Turn on the water valve. Once the water is on check for leaks coming from the water supply line or the tank as it fills.
  5. Once the tank is filled, flush the toilet. Check around the base of the toilet for any water seepage. It is best to flush the toilet several times while checking for leaks.
  6. Seal the base of the toilet with a waterproof bathroom caulking.

Congratulations, you are now an expert at toilet repair and replacement. You have successfully complete your first toilet removal and installation. If you had any problems along the way or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

http://MyCloggedToilet.com

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