Easy Guide: Change A Toilet Yourself Without A Plumber

Deciding to replace your toilet can seem daunting at first, especially if you’re attempting it without professional help. However, with the right tools and a systematic approach, changing a toilet on your own is quite doable and can save you a notable sum in plumber fees.

In this easy guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps and considerations for replacing a toilet by yourself. From gathering your tools to the final installation check, follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth replacement process and perhaps add some DIY credits to your home improvement skills.

Gathering Your Tools and Materials

Before you dive into removing your old toilet, make sure you have all necessary tools and materials on hand. You’ll need a wrench, screwdriver, pliers, utility knife, wax ring, new toilet bolts, and possibly a new supply line if the old one shows signs of wear. It’s also wise to have some towels and a large bucket nearby for catching any residual water from the toilet bowl and tank. A shop vacuum can be helpful to remove remaining water as well. For detailed decisions on picking the right materials and tools fit for your setup, you might want to take a look at recommendations from experts at https://ahouseinthehills.com/can-you-change-a-toilet-without-a-plumber/.

Organizing these tools beforehand will streamline the entire process, preventing mid-operation runs to the hardware store.

Removing the Old Toilet

The first step in old toilet removal involves shutting off the water supply to the toilet. Afterwards, flush the toilet once or twice to drain as much water as possible from both the tank and bowl. Disconnect the water supply line (use towels to catch drips). Then, unscrew the nuts that attach the base of the toilet to its mounting floor bolts. Gently rock the toilet back and forth to break the wax seal before lifting it up and moving it out of your way.

Remember to wear gloves during this process as old wax rings can be messy and contain bacteria. Also ensure that you protect the floor with some cardboard while shifting the heavy unit.

Prepping the Flange Area

With the old toilet removed, it’s critical to prepare the flange area; this is where your new wax ring will sit. Scrape away any remains of an old wax ring using a putty knife and inspect the flange for damage — replace if necessary. Ensure that no debris blocks drainage or prevents proper sealing between your new toilet and sewage lines.

Clean thoroughly around this area; even small particles can affect how well your new wax seal functions. Verify that flange height is appropriate relative to floor level; it should sit about 1/4 inch above where your new tile or bathroom flooring sits.

Installing Your New Toilet

Installation begins by aligning your new wax ring on top of the flange — make sure not to misshape or crack it during placement. Set down your new toilet carefully onto this ring while aligning with mounting holes over floor bolts. Once placed correctly, press down firmly but gently so that wax spreads evenly providing a good seal without gaps.

Tighten bolts at base but avoid over-tightening which can crack porcelain. Reconnect water supply line and turn on water at shut-off valve; examine all connections for leaks during initial flush cycles.

Final Checks and Sealing

After installing and connecting everything back together, make several test flushes to ensure efficient flow without leaks around seals or pipes. It might also be necessary at this point to apply caulk around base of the installed toilet for additional moisture protection — though not always required, this helps anchor firmly and prevent future seepage along edges.

Finally adjust any bowl height discrepancies using shims under base edges until stability is secured across entire base before fully sealing with caulk if needed.

Your journey toward replacing a toilet might require elbow grease and patience but following these steps meticulously will safeguard against common pitfalls. This project not only awards personal satisfaction but possibly enhances control over home maintenance tasks moving forward.

If successful in changing your commode independently through these guidelines, consider tackling other areas in bathroom renovation such as faucet replacement or vanity installation! With persistence comes proficiency in broader home improvement projects.