There are many aspects to a home that need replacing over time. Toilets are among them. Where toilets are fairly durable, they will eventually fall short of performance and need to be replaced. Rocking toilets are a pretty valid indication it is in need of replacing among others. Today, we at Orsack Plumbing Company would like to share how to perform a toilet replacement.

How to Remove a Toilet

1. Before you begin, make sure the water to your toilet is turned off. To purge all the water from the bowl and tank simply hold down the flusher. If water is not completely flowing from the bowl, you can use a plunger to assist you. If any remaining water resides in the tank, use a sponge or a towel to absorb the water.
2. With an appropriately sized wrench, you will need to disconnect the line from your toilet that leads to the plumbing in the wall. If you need to replace the line you will have to completely remove it.
3. Pop off the caps to expose the bolts and using your handy wrench remove the bolts on the base of the toilet into the floor. Following the removal of the base bolts, remove the bolts that are holding the tank and seat together.
4. The tank should be removed first and is easier done by straddling the seat and lifting it straight up from its location with your leg power. If it is resistant, you may have to rock it from side to side to free it loose from the seat. There is likely some water remnants still lingering, placing the tank in the tub will get it out of your way and give it a place to drain any remaining water.
5. A wax ring is holding down the seat section of the toilet. By rocking the seat base back and forth you can contribute to the separation from the waxy compound easier. If the bolts have rusted and you are experiencing difficulty, use a hack saw to free it.
New Toilet Prep
6. The hole where your toilet goes should be exposed. With an old rag, plug it up to prevent odors and gasses from emitting into your home and help prevent tools from falling through.
7. The bolts on the flange will need to be removed and tossed.
8. After removing the flange assess the condition and if it looks deteriorated, replace it with a new one.
9. Put fresh bolts in the flange.
10. On a padded area, carefully put the toilet seat upside and press the new wax ring around the hole. To ensure it is stuck well on the area, push it firmly and rotate it.
11. Remove the tag.

How to Install a New Toilet

12. Be sure to remove the rag you had clogging the hole and place the toilet on the bolts. The bolts should easily be fed through the holes as you align the toilet up. To make the installation easier, do not attach the seat and tank together.
13. After the seat is aligned, rock the bowl back and forth to seed it into place and press firmly to the ground to attach the wax to ground.
14. Tighten the bolts and alternate tightening the toilet down from both sides to keep it level. Do not use too much force or over tighten the bolts as that can cause the porcelain to crack.
15. If the bolts are too high; saw them down with your hack saw and place the caps over the top.
16. Place the tank on and tighten into the seat.
17. If the toilet didn’t come installed with the inner workings of the tank, install the toilet interior parts according to manufacturer’s directions.
18. Screw the toilet seat on if it is not done.
19. Replace the water line, and secure it with your wrench.
20. Flip the water on, and test out your handy work.

Toilet Replacement & Other Plumbing Services in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas

The above instructions certainly have a lot of steps that are most likely complicated and confusing to those not experienced with plumbing. Orsack Plumbing Company is on call for all your plumbing needs. Contact us to discuss your next project.