Replacing a toilet may not be one of the most exciting ways to spend a Saturday, but then that’s the nice part about this particular project; you should be able to perform this little task and still have time to enjoy your afternoon.
Begin this project by arming yourself with the required tools: an open-ended wrench (1/4 inch or 3/8 inch), a crescent wrench, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and a hacksaw.
Start by turning off the water supply to the toilet: That’s the little valve located below and behind the toilet. Flush the toilet and remove any remaining water in the tank or bowl using a small cup and a sponge.
Once all of the water has been removed, disconnect the water supply line at the base of the tank by backing off the nut in a counterclockwise direction.
Next, unfasten the toilet from the floor. Most residential toilets are anchored to the floor with a couple of fasteners called closet bolts. Some toilets are anchored by four of these devices, which are concealed with porcelain or plastic caps.
In most cases a toilet is bolted to a closet flange, a device that connects to the sanitary sewer pipe and to the floor. Pry those closet bolt caps off with a screwdriver and remove the nuts that remain with an open-ended wrench turning counterclockwise.
Now comes the fun part: removing the toilet. We suggest that you have one other person help you lift the toilet and carry it out because it’s as awkward as it is heavy.
Don’t be alarmed by the gooey mess that may appear on the floor where the toilet once sat. What remains is some of the wax ring, which is used to form a seal between the toilet and the closet flange.
Remove any of the wax that remains on the closet flange and at the underside of the toilet using a putty knife. Chances for achieving a new leak-proof seal will be especially good if you take care in cleaning up the surface to accept the new wax ring.
Now it’s time to install the new toilet, that is, after you have assembled it according to the manufacturer-supplied instructions. With the toilet lying on its side, place the wax ring against the underside of the toilet with the plastic throat facing away from the toilet.
Install the new closet bolts (typically provided with the toilet) to the closet flange in an upright position just as you found the old ones.
Stand the toilet upright and, without allowing the bottom to touch the floor, align the holes in the base of the toilet with the closet bolts and gently lower it until it completely seats on the closet flange.
Install the washers and nuts onto the closet bolts being careful not to tighten them too tightly; we have broken more that one toilet being too forceful. Place the bolt caps over the nuts. If they don’t seat properly, chances are that the bolts are too long. Shorten them by cutting off the excess using a hacksaw.
Reattach the water supply line to the tank with the new nut and washer provided with the toilet, and turn the water on and you’re good to go.
For tips from James and Morris Carey, go to www.onthehouse.com or call the listener hotline, 800-737-2474, ext. 59. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380 AM) from 6 to 10 a.m. every Saturday.
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