How To Replace a Toilet

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Remove the rag from the toilet flange in the floor. You are now ready to lift the bowl and carefully align it over the bolts. As you lower the bowl, you may bump the bolts and knock them out of position. this can be very frustrating and so this is another greater time to have a helper around. lower the toilet over the bolts and set it in position. Avoid lifting or moving the toilet once the wax seal has been crushed between the bowl and floor. Doing so may cause a gap to open in the seal and allow sewer gas enter the room.

The toilet now needs to be leveled. Failure to properly level the toilet can result in low water level in the bowl and poor flushing results. Place a level along the front to back axis of the bowl. Use plastic toilet shims, if necessary, to level the bowl. Wood shims will deteriorate and metal may cause rust stains, therefore we recommend using only plastic shims. Next, level the bowl from left to right. Resist the temptation to use plumber's putty to level the bowl. Putty will not withstand movement when the toilet is used.

Once the bowl has been leveled, secure the bowl to the floor. Install the plastic washer, the metal washer and the nut, in that order (unless directed otherwise by the manufacturer). Tightening the nut must be done carefully. The goal is to secure the toilet from movement but not to damage the ceramic bowl. Overtightening will lead to breakage of the bowl, rendering it useless. You will receive no warning or forgiveness - so resist the urge to cinch the nut down tight. Hand tight plus a turn or two with a wrench is a good rule of the thumb. If the washer starts to deflect, stop.

The toilet you purchased, may or may not have the operating components installed in the tank. If not, you will have to purchase a tank kit and install the parts before going any further.

Installation is easy and will take only a very few minutes. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation; but here are the general steps. Install the supplied washer or gaskets onto the fill valve and insert the fill valve through the smaller hole in the tank. Install the outer washer and nut and tighten the nut snuggly. The seals must be tight, to avoid leaks but avoid overtightening or you risk cracking the tank. Next find the flush valve, slip on the washer and place the valve through the large hole in the tank. Install the outer washer and tighten the nut. Place the large gasket over the nut, this will cushion and seal the connection between the tank and the bowl.

A tube connects the fill valve to the overflow tube. This is important because it supplies the water to refill the bowl after a flush. The flapper can install in various ways, depending upon the style used. The flapper seals the water into the tank, until the flush handle lifts it. Adjust it so that it is centered over the flush valve opening and can drop smoothly and tightly into position.

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