Installing a New Toilet – A Step by Step Guide

Bathroom remodeling is one of the best ways to add value to your home.

Installing new a new sink, faucet, lighting fixtures and floors cover most of a standard bathroom update, but often, the toilet needs replacing as well. Here are some basic tips to install a new toilet quickly and safely.

• Remove the existing toilet. First, turn off the water via the shutoff valve – located on the wall behind the toilet. Then flush the toilet to drain the water. If there’s any remaining water in the bowl, use a plunger to clear it out. Disconnect the water supply line and remove the bolts from under the caps at the bottom of the toilet to unsecure it from the floor. Once the bolts are out, you can lift the toilet straight up and out of the way.
• Place a rag over the drain hole in the floor to keep gases from escaping into the bathroom. Then remove the old wax ring from the floor (wear gloves if its slippery). Check to make sure the flange isn’t cracked (the part that connects the toilet to the floor.) If the flange is cracked, you can use a flange repair ring from your local hardware store.
• Place the new bolts that came with your new toilet into the flange, so they are positioned. Next, attach the new wax ring to the bottom of the toilet (pr you can attach it to the floor), and be sure it’s perfectly centered before lowering the new toilet to the floor.
• Make sure to align the bolt holes with the bolts on the floor and gently lower the new toilet down. Once you have it on the floor, press down on it to set the seal properly – don’t tilt the toilet, press straight down. If you don’t set the toilet straight on the seal, it will cause leaks in the floor.
• Lastly, tighten down the bolts with a nut and washer but don’t overtighten them as this could crack the porcelain. You will probably want to use a hacksaw to trim the excess bolt threads so the caps will fit flush – no pun intended – on top of the bolts.
• Once the toilet is firmly in place, re-attach the water line and then slowly turn on the water valve to fill the tank. Once it’s full, flush it and check for leaks. Then install the toilet seat, and you’re done!

For more tips on your bathroom remodel project, visit www.acehardwaredixon.com or call us at 815-288-7841.

Ace Hardware & Outdoor Center

900 N Galena Ave

Dixon, IL 61021