Toilet Replacement | Toilet Seal Replacement

 At some point you will need a toilet replacement or a toilet seal replacement in your home. There are several reasons why you may need to toilet replacement. Toilets crack, get broken from dropped objects or water leakage from a failed ring wax seal, requiring a toilet seal replacement. Or you may simply just want to update your toilet with one that is more ecstatic. Whatever the reason for a toilet replacement the task is relatively easy that a DIY homeowner can easily do with a couple of tools.  Whether you are replacing the toilet or the wax ring seal or replacing the toilet entirely, the steps below describe the process involved in toilet removal and replacement. It isn’t difficult and only takes an hour or so to do.

Tools and material required:

1. Adjustable Wrench

2. Screwdriver

3. Plumbers Putty (optional)

4. Wax Ring

5. Closet Flange (in the event that the flange is damaged or corroded)

6. Pliers

7. Sponge to mop up water

8. Bucket

How to remove and install a toilet and toilet seal:

1. Shut the water off to the toilet. Usually there is a shut off valve in the water line beneath the toilet.

2. Drain the toilet as much as possible by repeating flushing it. Use the sponge to sop up any water left in the tank.

3. Disconnect the plumbing supply line to the toilet tank using the pliers or adjustable wrench.

4. Remove the cover caps from the floor bolts heads which hold the toilet to the floor.

5. Remove the nuts, usually two, using the adjustable wrench.

6. Lift the toilet bowl and tank assembly off the closet flange bolts. The closet flange is fastened to the floor with screws. The flange does not have to be removed unless it is damaged.

7. Place the toilet assembly on some soft material such as newspaper or old rug.

8. If you only need to replace the wax ring seal due to leakage remove the complete seal from the toilet   and flange and clean the area completely.

9. Remove any plumbers putty from the closet flange as well. A wooden stick works well for this.

10. Check the closet flange that is screwed to the floor. If damaged replace or repair it.

Note: Wax rings come with and without a plastic bell

11. Remove any wrapping paper from the wax ring and install it by placing it on the discharge outlet of the toilet. Some rings are just wax and some others have a plastic "funnel" or "bell" built in for the added insurance of making sure the waste finds its way into the discharge line. If the closet flange is slightly above the finished floor use the plain wax seal. If the closet flange is flush with the floor or slightly below the floor use a wax ring with the plastic bell. Press the wax ring firmly until it is well seated on the toilet outlet. Be careful not to deform the seal.

12. As an alternative to placing the ring seal on the toilet outlet is to set the wax ring directly on the closet flange and then setting the toilet onto the wax seal.

13. Carefully set the toilet in place by carefully setting the toilet bowl onto the closet flange while aligning the toilet base bolt holes with the bolts. You may need assistance in lifting the toilet and placing it exactly on the seal flange.

14. Align the toilet and press it down to compress the wax seal onto the closet ring.

15. Install the two hold down nuts on the hold down bolts. Do not over tighten.

16. Install the nut covers.

17. Install the water line and turn on the water. The bowl should fill at this time.

See: Fixing a Leaky Toilet