Has your toilet reached the end of its life? Or is it doing too much damage on your water bill? Replacing an old toilet with a more efficient model every couple years can be a great way to update your bathroom.

When it comes time to installing a new toilet, it’s crucial you make sure you’re doing it correctly. Installing a toilet improperly is a recipe for a whole lot of wasted time, water, and money. If you’re getting ready to install a new toilet, keep this guide on hand during every step of the process.

Firstly: Should I try to install a toilet myself or call a professional?

As with any DIY plumbing effort, the answer to this question depends on you. Replacing and installing a toilet can be fairly straight-forward for an experienced DIYer… but it can also get frustrating surprisingly fast.

Tools You’ll Need

Organization is key for this DIY project. Grab each of the following tools before you get started:

• Work gloves

• Screwdriver

• Pliers

• Towels

• Wax seal

• Adjustable wrench

• Your new toilet (measured in advance to fit the space)

Installing the Toilet: Steps

Step 1: Prepare your space

Lay towels out on the floor and remove anything in your bathroom that might get in the way. Put on your work gloves and make sure your tools are laid out and organized. Before you’re installing your new toilet, you’ll have to remove the old one.

Turn off the water; find the shutoff valve which is typically located on the wall or floor near the toilet. You want to cut off the flow of water into the supply line and toilet tank.

Disconnect the supply line. You’ll need an adjustable wrench to accomplish this step. Do your best to keep the water pipe steady as you disconnect the line.

Step 2: Removing your old toilet

Separate the tank from the bowl by unbolting it with your wrench. If your toilet’s tank is connected to the bowl, don’t try to separate them. Once you’ve disconnected the tank, lift it straight up and off the bowl and set it aside for later. Unbolt the bowl from the floor. Check the bowl bolts and flange. Make sure they aren’t rusted, broken, or cracked, these are the components that will connect your new toilet to the floor.

Step 3: Installing the new toilet

Install the new wax ring. This will be the buffer between the old flange and your new toilet. Simply place the wax ring in the right space on the flange.

Place your toilet on the flange. Align the bolt holes on the bowl’s base with the floor flange’s bolts. Make sure you have a spotter around to help you lift the toilet.

Bolt the toilet to the floor. Don’t forget to put a washer and nut down on each bolt before tightening them. Once this is done, you’ll bolt everything together so it’s secure and reattach the supply line.

Congratulations, you just installed a toilet!

If you have any doubt in your mind at all about installing a toilet yourself, then we recommend calling the pros. We can make sure we install your toilet correctly the first time, guaranteed. Give our team at Royal Flush Plumbing a call by phone at (289)-788-0038 or visit our website to learn more.