Installing A New Toilet
Has your toilet become an eyesore in your bathroom? Is it no longer working as well as it used to and you are thinking on replacing it? Replacing a toilet can be a simple thing if you avoid the most common mistakes made by many homeowners. These mistakes might include:
- Not paying attention to local code restrictions
- Failing to align tubing into fittings or stop valves.
- Failing to level your fixtures when installing them
- Not using PTFE tape or pipe compound at threaded joints
- Failing to install air gap fillings for fixtures
- Using pipes that are too small
How Do You Properly Install A New Toilet?
The very first step you must make in installing a new toilet is to make sure that the water is shut off by using the shut off valve. Make sure that the bowl and the tank of the toilet are empty by flushing it and that the remaining water is sponged out. The next thing you need to do before installation is to disconnect the water supply tube from the shut off valve and drain the water from the tube into a bucket. Make sure to also unscrew the coupling nut on the supply tube at the bottom of the tank and you are ready to go. Now comes the big part of your project; removing your old toilet and replacing it with your new one!
- Remove your old tank by unbolting it from the bowl by holding the mounting bolt from inside the tank with a screwdriver while you unfasten its nut with a wrench from below.
- Pry the caps off the hold-down bolts and remove the nuts by using an adjustable wrench to remove the bowl of your toilet. Break the seal between the bowl and the floor by gently rocking the bowl from side to side and lift the bowl up. Make sure that your bowl is tilted slightly forward to avoid any spillage from any remaining water that might be there.
- After the toilet has been removed, prevent the leakage of sewer gas into your home by stuffing a rag into the drainpipe. Make sure that you also scrape the wax gasket remains from the floor flange.
- With your new toilet bowl, place a new wax gasket over the horn on the bottom of the bowl. Make sure that it is facing the tapered side away from the bowl. In the event of the gasket having a plastic collar, check to see if the collar will fit into the floor flange and install the gasket so the collar is away from the bowl. Next, apply a thin bead of caulk around the toilet base.
- Remove the rag from the drainpipe and lower your new bowl gently into place atop it's flange while using your bolts as guides. Check that the bowl is in straight by using a level and if minor adjustments need to be made, use plastic shims.
- Hand-tighten the washers and nuts onto the bolts and tighten them with a wrench alternately until the toilet is seated firmly on the floor. The nuts should also be tightened but not over tightened; over tightening them will crack your bowl. With plumber's putty, fill the caps and place them over the bolt ends.
- Assemble the flush valve inside the tank and tighten the large spud nut at the center if necessary and place a rubber tank cushion on the bowl.
- Position your new tank over the bowl and tighten the nuts and washers onto the mounting bolts.
- Hook up the supply tubes and open the shutoff valve. When turning your water back on, bleed dirt and air from the lines by flushing your toilets or run the outside hose valve.
