How To Replace a Leaky Toilet

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

Sewage backup in Deerfield Beach, FL.

How To Replace Your Own Toilet

It’s never a good sign when you have a leaking toilet in your home. The leak can become a major flood if not taken care of quickly. Follow these steps to learn how to replace your own toilet.

Removing the Old Toilet

Before you can install a new toilet, you have to remove the old one:

1. Measure the distance from the wall to the bolts on the base of the toilet and from the wall to the side of the bowl to ensure your new toilet is the correct size.

2. Turn off the water.

3. Flush to remove the water from the tank.

4. Take the tank lid off and wipe up leftover water.

5. Disconnect the water supply line from the tank, unscrew the nuts, and lift it off the bowl.

6. Wipe up leftover water inside the bowl and remove the nuts at the base.

7. Lift the leaking toilet up and set it onto a garbage bag.

8. Remove the wax ring from the drain hole, clean out excess wax, and put a wad of paper towel into the hole to prevent sewer gas from venting.

9. Clean the floor if needed, remove the old closet bolts, and replace them with new ones.

Installing the New Toilet

Now it's out with the old and in with the new. Here's how to install your new commode:

10. Warm up a new wax ring with warm water and place it onto your new toilet.

11. Remove the towel from the drain hole. Carefully place the toilet onto the hole. If you miss it, it’s better to start with another new ring. Gently wiggle the toilet so it’s flat on the ground and aligned squarely with the walls.

12. Install any necessary hardware to the new tank, set it onto the bowl using a level, and tighten the bolts.

13. Connect the water supply, slowly turn the water back on, and check for leaks.

Every homeowner will likely face issues with an old toilet at some point. When it becomes a leaking toilet, follow these steps to replace it yourself or call a local toilet repair company in Deerfield Beach, FL, to ensure everything is done correctly and avoid the risk of future flooding.