How to Remove and Install a Toilet

Anyone can replace a toilet. Just follow the step-by-step instruction in the video!

Whether a toilet is being replaced or just temporarily removed to allow flooring repairs or replacement, the process is pretty much the same.

First, turn off the water supply beneath the tank; then flush the toilet to release the water from the tank. Pouring a bucket of water into the bowl will create a vacuum to force out most of what remains there.

Now you can disconnect the water supply line from the bottom of the tank before removing the nuts from the closet bolts on each side of the base. This frees the toilet so you can lift it straight up and out.

After you scrape the old wax ring off of the toilet flange, you’re ready for the next step. That starts with a new wax ring positioned on the flange. The protruding lip on the ring goes down inside the drain pipe under the flange.

Then we add drinking straws to extend the height of the closet bolts and make it easier to lower the new toilet (it’s Gerber Plumbing Fixtures’ Avalanche Elite) into position over them.

When the toilet and bolts are in position, press down on the toilet to compress the wax ring. Now you can remove the straws and add the plastic cap washer, metal washer and nut to the closet bolts. The nuts should be snug but not too tight or they might crack the porcelain base.

After the plastic caps are put in place, you can connect the water supply line and turn on the water to complete the project.

Watch the video above to see the process step by step.

Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford is among the country’s most sought-after home improvement experts.
The seasoned remodeling contractor and media personality served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s “The Early Show” and The Weather Channel for over a decade and has made more than 180 national television appearances on “Fox & Friends,” “Inside Edition,” “Morning Express with Robin Meade,” Fox Business Channel, Rachael Ray and more.
He travels the country making appearances as a brand ambassador and spokesperson, and each year contributes expertise to hundreds of popular magazines and online media outlets.

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