Removing The Old Toilet First

Tools Needed:

Adjustable Wrench
Vise Grips
Rags or Large Sponge

1) Turn water supply off at main source or the stop valve. Flush toilet to drain tank. Remove balance of water from the tank and bowl with sponge or rags.

2) Disconnect water supply at tank.

3) Remove toilet mounting bolt caps and nuts. Lift the toilet and set it aside. Temporarily stuff a rag into the sewer outlet to prevent sewer gas from escaping.

4) Clean the old wax seal gasket from the floor.

Installing the New Toilet

Tools Needed:

Adjustable Wrench
Vise Grips
Pliers
Putty Knife
Tape Measure or Ruler

Materials Needed:

Mounting Bolts
Wax Ring Seal
Flexible Supply Line
Stop Valve
Trim Plate
Pipe Compound
Toilet Seat and Lid

Before You Start: Check measurements. The distance from the finished wall to the center of the waste outlet is the rough-in dimension. Two-piece toilets are designed for 10-,12- and 14-inch rough-in with 12-inch being by far the most popular. If your old toilet is held in place by bolts screwed into the floor rather than with a toilet flange, check the position of the bolts to be sure they fit your new toilet. If they don't fit, remove and install new bolts or you may wish to install a slotted toilet flange.

Installing the Toilet Bowl and Tank

1) Clean the immediate floor area thoroughly. Remove the rag from the sewer outlet. Screw hold-down bolts into floor or insert the new toilet bolts in the slotted flange, bolt heads down. Hold them in place with a bit of plumber's putty. The toilet bowl should be placed on the floor upside down, on soft material to prevent scratching. Place the slightly warmed wax ring or a gasket formed from toilet bowl setting compound in the circular recess in the base of the bowl.

2) Place the bowl, right side up, gently in position with toilet bolts protruding through the holes in the china base. Press down, with a slight twisting motion, on the top center, with your full weight. Put the washers and nuts on the bolts, tightening to a snug fit. Do not force tighten.

3) The tank should be inverted on the floor after removing the lid and parts bag. Place the large doughnut-shaped washer snugly on the threaded tank outlet. The small, hard rubber bumper, grooved side down, is placed on the back ledge of the bowl. Invert the tank, and place it on the bowl ledge, aligning the tank bolt holes with those in the ledge. Place the rubber washers on the bolts and insert the bolts downward through the bolt holes. Position the metal washer on each bolt, then while pushing down on the tank so the doughnut washer is compressed, hand tighten the bolts until a firm mounting of the tank is achieved. Do not over tighten. Alternate the bolt tightening from side to side for proper tank leveling. Complete the tightening from side to side for proper tank leveling. Complete the tightening process by using a wrench or pliers for about one more turn.

4) Complete supply line to the straight or angle stop valve. Place the washer, then the plastic nut on the tank end of the connecting pipe and bend the pipe to fit into the inlet hole in the water inlet regulator. Draw the nut up tightly.

5) Connect the plastic tubing from the top of the water inlet regulator into its holding ring inside the overflow tube.

6) Install the flush handle by inserting it through the opening in the tank. Fit the holding nut over the lever and thread it on the threaded portion of the handle. Tighten with wrench to a snug fit. Install chain from the flapper through the last hole of the lever arm. If necessary the hook can be relocated to shorten the chain so that there is a minimum of slack. Bend the hook closed to prevent it from disengaging.

7) Turn the water on by opening the angle or straight stop. The tank should fill to the "water line" marked inside the tank. If not, bend the brass rod that supports the float until the tank stops filling at the "water line". Place the lid on the tank. Snap the plastic bolt caps firmly in place, on top of the bolts projecting through the china base. If the bolt covers provided with the toilet do not snap on the mounting bolts, place a small ball of plumber's putty inside the cap to hold it firmly in place. If the bolts extend too far above the toilet flange to accommodate the bolt covers, carefully cut excess off above nuts with a hack saw. Install the toilet seat and lid.

8) Lastly, if you feel that you cannot do this yourself, Find a General Contractor in your area. Get four free quotes in 24 Hours from Renovation Experts.