How to Install a Toilet DIY Plumbing. Editors note This is a guest post from Ethan Hagan of One Project Closer. Check out some of his other manly contributions like Making Your Own Cribbage Board. Is your toilet cracked or damaged Did your kid flush something thats blocking the line Are you looking to upgrade your commode There are plenty of reasons for installing a toilet, and many homeowners call in a plumber to get it done. How To Install A Toilet' title='How To Install A Toilet' />Editors note This is a guest post from Ethan Hagan of One Project Closer. Check out some of his other manly contributions like Making Your Own Cribbage Board. Is. When youre putting in a new bathroom or remodeling an existing one, installing the toilet is one of the most important things to get right. How to Install a Toilet. Installing a new toilet is a lot easier than you may think. In fact, many homeowners choose to remove their old toilet and replace it with a. Learn how to replace a toilet, including information covering measuring, removing and installing a new toilet. However, if youre reasonably handy, consider trying this one yourself and saving a few bucks. Installing a toilet is a great DIY project, and just imagine the sense of accomplishment and relief when you finish. This tutorial will walk you through it step by step. Tools Materials. Installing a toilet doesnt require much in the way of tools, and in fact, you can accomplish the task without any power tools. Heres what youll need before getting started Toilet  plumbers Ive spoken with say Gerber makes the best toilets, and they dont recommend anything less than 1. Wax ring  if the flange sits even with or slightly below the floor, get an extended height wax ring. Closet bolts self adjusting closet bolts mean you wont need to cut or snap the excess bolt length. Unfortunately, the local DIY center may not carry these, so check a plumbing supply shop. This Old House plumbing expert Richard Tretheweys method for putting in a new toiletor replacing an old one. DIYNetwork. com host Amy Matthews shows how to install a toilet in a bathroom. DIYNetwork. com master plumber Ed Del Grande gives stepbystep instructions on how to install a toilet. Toilet connector  flexible, braided steel connectors eliminate using a tubing bender to fit the supply line between the stop valve and the tank fitting. Pennies or stainless steel washers  for shimming the toilet. Torpedo level. Adjustable wrench. Screwdriver. Assembly. I like to assemble the toilet before installing. The tank adds a little more weight but its much more convenient in my opinion. If you prefer, you can attach the tank afterwards. Most manufacturers include all the necessary hardware and often install the fill kit too. Double check everything to make sure its right, and be careful not to over tighten the nuts, which will crack the porcelain. Step 1 Prepare the Flange. After you remove the old toilet, scrape away the nasty, old wax ring with some cardboard or something you can throw away. Inspect the flange, and if its cracked or damaged, repair kits are available at your local DIY center. For those up to the task, you can replace your flange without too much difficulty, but thats outside the scope of this tutorial. Step 2 Position Closet Bolts. Using self adjusting closet bolts is the way to go because they eliminate the need to snap or cut excess bolt length. These bolts feature a white threadlocker that, when the hex nut reaches it, drives the stud further into the anchor nut. Slip the closet bolts on either side and move the lock washers down snug against the flange. ODQ5WDU2Ng==/z/SZMAAOSw-nZTqqfQ/$_32.JPG?set_id=880000500F' alt='How To Install A Toilet' title='How To Install A Toilet' />Step 3 Place Wax Ring. You can put the wax ring directly on the flange or on the underside of the toilet. I opt for putting it on the flange because theres no chance itll fall off when Im lugging the toilet around. If your flange is sitting a little low, use an extended height wax ring. Step 4 Set Toilet. Move the toilet over the flange and line up the holes with the closet bolts. When its in position, firmly press the toilet against the floor. Step 5 Add Washers and Nuts. Put the nylon washers and regular washers over the bolts and hand tighten the nuts on both sides. Step 6 Level the Toilet. Check the toilet for level front to back and side to side. If its out of level or rocks back and forth, shim the toilet with pennies or stainless steel washers. You can buy plastic toilet shims however, Id advise against them because they often crack when I attempt to cut them to size. When youre satisfied that the toilet is level, tuck the pennies underneath the edge and out of sight. Next, tighten the nuts on the closet bolts, but not too tight. Attach the bolt caps to conceal the closet bolts. Step 7 Attach Supply Line. Reinstall Print Spooler Windows Vista on this page. Most toilets take a 38 connector, and the connector I show here includes rubber gaskets that eliminate the need for wrapping threads with teflon tape. Step 8 Verify Fill Level. When everything is connected, open the supply valve and let the tank fill up. Check for leaks and adjust the fill valve so that the water meets the fill line. Step 9 Caulk the Base OptionalPeople are divided on whether or not to caulk the base of the toilet. The argument goes that caulking the entire base can result in leaks going undetected for some time. On the other hand, caulking the base can make for a more polished look. If you decide to caulk the base of the toilet, leave a gap or weep hole on the backside so youll find leaks sooner. Ethan Hagan owns and operates a home improvement website called One Project Closer. On One Project Closer youll learn how to tackle projects with expert knowledge from professional contractors. OPC also provides coupons to home improvement centers, like this AJ Madison Coupons page. Check out OPC for full details, and follow them on Facebook. Last updated March 2. How to Install a New Toilet how tos. To remove the old toilet, pop off the trim caps at the base of the toilet. Next, loosen and remove the nuts and washers on the closet bolts securing the bowl to the floor. If the nuts are rusted, you may need to cut them off with a hacksaw. Note If youre working alone, disconnect the tank from the bowl before disconnecting and removing the bowl. Lifting the two pieces separately will be a lot easier. Now that youve removed the nut and washer on each side of the bowl, gently rock the toilet back and forth until you can lift it free. Once youve removed the toilet, there will be an open line to the sewer system. Stuff a rag into the hole to prevent sewer gases from backing up into your home and to prevent tools from falling into the hole.