Replacing a toilet is not as hard as it looks. The installation process is actually quite simple. You do not need to be a professional plumber to install one. However, you do need to learn the right steps. If you are planning to replace your toilet and are interested in learning how to do it yourself, continue to read this article.
You should know how to find the right toilet. Nowadays, most toilets are low-flow, meaning that they use less water per flush than a toilet that was installed ten years ago. The toilet base comes in different heights. The higher height is good for people who are not comfortable sitting lower or have trouble rising from a low sitting position. A toilet can come in two separate parts - the tank and bowl - or it can be one-piece with the tank and the bowl forming one unit. The latter has a lower profile, so it may be a good fit for small bathrooms.
Assuming that you have already removed your old toilet, your next focus should be prepping the floor. Clean the floor section that was under the old toilet base. Use a putty knife to scrape away any residual caulk or wax from the old wax ring.
You should replace the old water supply line with a new one. Even though the old one may look fine, this line is as old as your former toilet, perhaps even older. Replacing the line in the future will be a hassle. Therefore, you should take advantage of this opportunity when you already have the water turned off and the old toilet removed.
Your new toilet bowl will need a wax ring underneath. Be sure that you put it in properly. The toilet bowl can be very heavy because it is made from solid porcelain. When you set it on the floor, it has to be accurately positioned over the drain hole without shifting back and forth. It may be a good idea to have someone on hand to help you with this part by steadying the bowl as you set it down. Once the bowl is in place, it should be firmly seated on the floor without any wobbling.
After the bowl is installed, it is time to install the tank. The bottom of the tank will probably have a couple of bolts that you insert into the back of the toilet bowl. These bolts must be tightened in order to secure the tank to the bowl. However, do not over-tighten because that can cause the tank to crack underneath.
A lot of toilets come with the flushing mechanism already installed. After you connect the tank to the bowl, you can connect the water supply line. Turn the water on and watch the tank fill up. Make sure that it is filled up to the desired water level. Flush it once to fill the bowl. Watch for signs of leaks. When you are satisfied that everything is in working order, you can install the toilet seat as the last step.
A new toilet is not that hard to install. Follow the advice here, and you can proudly show off your accomplishment!