How to Remove and Replace a Toilet Yourself
Learn how to remove a toilet and replace it yourself by installing a new one. This step-by-step video guides you through the removal and replacement of your old toilet.
Learn how to remove a toilet by replacing your damaged or mal-functioning bathroom toilet or just update the old model with one of hundreds of available colors, styles, or materials. An assortment of wrenches, a putty knife, a screwdriver, and a bucket and sponge are the required tools. The hardest part of this DIY toilet installation is lifting the heavy units into place.
Read MoreTurn off the Toilet Water Supply at the Shut-off Valve
Turn the shutoff valve on the wall behind the tank clockwise to cut the water supply to the toilet.
Remove Water from the Toilet Tank and Bowl
When learning how to remove a toilet, it is important to first drain water from the toilet tank by flushing and keeping the drain valve in the tank bottom open by holding the lever up. Soak up the remaining water in the tank and bowl with a sponge and bucket.
Loosen the Nut Attaching the Water Line to the Tank
Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that attaches the water line to the toilet tank and then pull the line free. Keep a towel handy to mop up any residual water.
Detach the Bathroom Toilet from the Floor
Remove decorative covers from the bolts holding the toilet to the floor is an important next step when learning how to remove a toilet. Remove the nuts from the bolts. Use a utility knife to cut any caulking seal around the base, and lift the toilet up and out of the way.
Remove the Wax Ring from the Toilet Drain Flange
Remove the old wax ring from drain flange, using a putty knife to lift it and scrape remaining waxy residue and debris. Note that the plastic collar in the wax ring faces downward into the drain.
Replace the Old Water Supply Line on the Shut-off Valve
Replace the water supply line on the water shut-off valve. Older lines may lose their seal after being disturbed, so a new one is just good preventive maintenance--especially when it is so easily accessed with the toilet removed.
Install a New Wax Ring on the Toilet Bottom
Add a new wax ring to bottom of toilet with its plastic ring facing away from the underside of the toilet. The plastic ring must fit downward against the floor drain flange once the toilet is installed.
Set Toilet in Place with Bolts Extending through the Base
Pack plumber's putty in flange slots to hold bolts upright. Set the toilet in place carefully with bolts extending through the base. Press down without rocking to compress the wax ring. Replace washers and nuts, tighten, and break off the excess. You are one step closer to learning how to remove a toilet.
Position Water Tank to Align with Holes on the Base
Set water tank in place, aligning bolts to holes in the toilet base. Push bolts down inside tank and secure with washers and nuts below. Ensure tank is level by tightening left or right nut as necessary.
Fit Toilet Seat Hinges into Holes on Toilet Base
Position toilet seat with hinges in the holes on the toilet base and secure w/nylon bolts. Tighten the nuts under the base with your fingers and then finish tightening with a screwdriver in the slot on top of the bolt. Congratulations, now have now learned how to remove a toilet.
Related Tips
Blog Articles
Can You Clean Your Shower with a Power Tool?
Imagine a shower, sparkling clean, with minimal effort. This innovative tool, when paired with a drill, transforms tedious scrubbing into a satisfying power-cleaning session. Its versatile attachments cater to different surfaces, from large, flat tiles to stubborn grout lines. A quick spray of soapy water, a few minutes of drilling, and voila! Your shower is transformed.
How to Fix Chipping Paint on Your Home’s Exterior
Chipping paint is not just an unsightly blemish on your home's façade; it's a warning sign of potential damage lurking beneath the surface. But before envisioning a costly repair bill, take a deep breath. With some basic tools and a bit of elbow grease, you can tackle this problem yourself.
DIY Shutters That Last: Building with Azek
Ever thought about adding a touch of timeless charm to your home’s exterior? Shutters can do just that, enhancing your windows while adding a stylish flair. Brian recently embarked on a DIY journey to create shutters using Azek, a PVC material that mimics wood’s beauty but with enhanced durability and low maintenance.