Follow these Easy Steps to install a toilet.
Below is a list of steps you should follow when attempting to replace a toilet at home.
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Make sure all old wax is removed from the toilet flange.
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Place the new toilet bowl over the old flange to get an idea where the new bowl will be when it is square from the wall and installed permanently.
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Using the toilet seat holes on the bowl measure their distance from the rear wall to the center of the holes making sure that they are equidistant from the wall thus making the bowl square with the wall.
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Next trace around the bottom of the bowl where it meets the floor to make an outline.
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Remove the toilet bowl and set aside.
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Prepare your new flange bolts by inserting them into the toilet flange bolt slots.
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Place a new wax ring over the center of the existing toilet flange.
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Prepare either plaster of Paris mix or a sanded grout mix that matches your flooring if tile.
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Apply the mix using the previous outline you traced around the toilet bowl being careful not to go outside the line.Do this all the way around the line about an inch tall depending on the height of your flange to floor distance.
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Grab the new toilet bowl and place over the toilet flange bolts.Apply steady downward pressure while rocking back and fourth slowly until the bowl seats against the flange.
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Place your toilet flange bolt nuts and washers along with the plastic cap washers right side up and tighten snugly.
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While using a level to adjust the side to side and front to back leveling of the toilet be prepared to adjust the tightness of the bolts as needed to compensate.
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If using plaster of paris then simply wipe your finger around the perimeter of the base of the toilet to leave a caulk like finish around the edge.Leave the leftover ring of plaster to dry for easy removal later.
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If using grout then follow the manufacturers instructions.
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In either case you need to let the mixed base that you set the toilet in dry.With Plaster this will only take about ten minutes.
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Place the toilet tank on the rear of the toilet bowl and fasten it with the bolts provided by the manufacturer.
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Install a new water supply line to the toilet fill valve per instructions.Usually this is the opposite of how you removed the old water supply line however you may want to make it easy on yourself and use a new flexible supply line for toilets.Remember that longer supply lines are better than one that is to short so measure first.
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Put the tank lid on and turn the water shut off back to the on position to check for leaks and proper flush.
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Last but not least. Cut off any length of toilet flange bolts that won’t allow for the plastic nut covers to snap onto the plastic washers you put in before in step11.
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Snug down the nuts at the flange bolts again before covering.
Wait one minute I forgot to tell you to put your new toilet seat on. OH WELL, I guess you would have figured that out on your first sit down use! Enjoy your new toilet!
Any Questions call a licensed Cincinnati Plumber at (513) 383-4242
As always. Why be Wrong….When you can Flow-Rite!