Home Improvement Ideas Plumbing Installations & Repairs How to Replace a Toilet Replace an old, leaky toilet with these simple steps. By Timothy Dale Published on February 10, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images / TriggerPhoto Project Overview Working Time: 2 hours Total Time: 4 hours Skill Level: Intermediate Estimated Cost: $200 When a toilet starts showing signs of wear, like leaks or constant running water, it might be time to replace it. Removing an old toilet and installing a new one isn't as difficult as it might seem. Most DIYers with a bit of plumbing knowledge should be able to tackle this job. It's helpful to have a second person to help carry out the old toilet and the new toilet into the bathroom. Alternatively, you can take apart a two-piece toilet and carry one piece at a time. If toilet problems are not resolved quickly, they can lead to high water bills, leaks, and water damage. Use this guide to learn how to replace a toilet. After 165 Hours of Testing, These Are The 5 Best Toilets of 2024 Before You Begin Not every problem requires replacing the toilet, so before purchasing a new toilet, troubleshoot the issue to determine if there is an easier solution. For example, if the toilet is running constantly, you may only need to replace the flapper, which takes a few minutes and costs significantly less than a new toilet. Similarly, an experienced DIYer can replace a faulty flush valve or fill valve without much difficulty. If the actual toilet is damaged, significantly worn, or doesn't suit the preferences of the users, the next step is to measure the space. Taking proper measurements ensures that the new toilet will fit in the bathroom. Also, gather some old towels, cloths, or rags that you don't mind getting wet or dirty. How to Install an Upflush Toilet in Your Basement How to Measure for a New Toilet The correct measurements are necessary for purchasing the right toilet for the bathroom. If the measurements are incorrect, the toilet might not fit properly. It could push up against the wall, counters, vanities, sinks, plumbing lines, tubs, showers, or even overhead shelving. Even if the toilet fits, it may not sit over the drain line properly if the measurements are off, so accurate measurements are necessary before buying a new toilet or starting this job. Measure from the wall to the center of one of the toilet bolts to determine the rough-in size for the toilet. Measure from the center of the toilet to any nearby water supply lines. Some toilets have a wider base, so it's necessary to determine if the toilet will fit next to the supply line. If there are any other nearby obstructions, like a tub or a vanity beside the toilet, measure from the center of the toilet to the obstruction to ensure there is enough space for the new toilet. Similarly, if there are shelves or cabinets above the toilet, measure from the floor to the bottom shelf to determine the vertical space available for the new toilet. If the toilet you are replacing has a round bowl, but you want to switch to a toilet with an elongated bowl, then measure from the wall behind the toilet to the wall or any obstructions in front of the toilet to ensure there is enough clearance to use the new toilet comfortably. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Towels or cloths Sponge Channel lock pliers Adjustable wrench Bucket Putty knife Level Hacksaw Materials New toilet Wax ring or toilet seal Silicone caulk Toilet shims Instructions How to Replace a Toilet Prepare the Area Set up for the replacement job by laying down some old towels and placing a bucket under the toilet tank where the incoming water line connects. Place the new toilet on a towel until it is needed to prevent it from scraping the floor. Have a worn towel and a large garbage bag nearby to wrap up the old toilet tank and base so that they don’t drip or leak onto the floor while you carry them out of the home. You should also have a few rags on hand to clean the floor after removing the old toilet. Turn the Water Off and Drain the Toilet There is usually an isolation valve located at the base of the toilet on the incoming water supply line. Turn off this valve to shut down the flow of water to the toilet. Then flush the toilet to drain most of the water. Water remains in the toilet, so the next step is to use a set of channel lock pliers or a wrench to disconnect the water supply line, allowing any remaining water from the tank to drain into the bucket. Use a large sponge to soak up any water left in the toilet, squeezing the sponge into the bucket until the toilet is completely empty. Unscrew the Bolts and Remove the Toilet Locate the bolts on either side of the toilet. These bolts are currently holding the toilet in place. Use an adjustable wrench or a set of channel lock pliers to unscrew the bolts. Next, run a putty knife or utility knife around the base of the toilet to cut through the caulking. When the toilet is free, lift the toilet away from the floor. This may require two people depending on the DIYer's strength and the toilet’s weight. Wrap the base of the toilet with an old towel or garbage bag and carry it outside. If you are completing this repair alone, remove the toilet tank before removing the base. Accomplish this by unscrewing the tank bolts and lifting the tank off the bowl to separate the two pieces. Pry Off the Wax Seal and Clean the Floor If the wax seal or toilet seal did not lift up with the toilet, pry it off the flange with a putty knife. Toss the old wax seal and scrape away any remaining residue or leftover debris while leaving the flange in place. Inspect the flange and replace it if it is cracked or otherwise damaged. If the flange is in good condition, it can be reused. Clean the flange and the surrounding area with an old cloth or rag before proceeding. If you still need to pick up the new toilet or are taking a break, stuff a rag in the drain hole to prevent sewage fumes from wafting out before you install the new toilet. This also blocks the hole to prevent tools from falling in. Replace the Toilet Bolts Check the existing toilet bolts. In some cases, they may be OK to reuse, but typically, they should be replaced, especially if there is any sign of rust or degradation. Usually, a new toilet comes with new toilet bolts, so unscrew and remove the old bolts and then insert and secure the new bolts that came with the toilet. If the new toilet did not come with toilet bolts, you much purchase these parts separately. Install the New Wax Ring A wax ring seals the connection between the toilet and the drain. A new toilet usually comes with a wax ring, but if it doesn't, pick one up from the local home improvement store. Open the wax ring and center it on the flange, ensuring that the sloped edge of the wax ring is facing down so that the narrow end touches the flange. If done correctly, the wax ring forms a seal to prevent water and waste from leaking onto the floor. Position and Secure the Toilet Bowl Have a second person help hold the toilet so the outlet drain is positioned directly over the wax ring. Lower the toilet, adjusting the position to allow the bolts to pass through the bolt holes on either side of the toilet. With the toilet in place, push down firmly and rock the toilet back and forth to seal the wax ring. If you are installing a two-piece toilet, completing this part of the project might be easier before connecting the toilet tank, especially if you don't have a second person to help hold the weight. After threading the bolts, secure the toilet bowl in position by adding plastic washers and tightening new nuts onto the bolts by hand. Finish tightening the bolts with a wrench or channel lock pliers. Trim the Toilet Bolts and Level the Toilet If the toilet bolts are sticking up too much to put on the decorative caps, use a hacksaw to trim the bolts to the appropriate size. Wipe away any metal filings to avoid metal splinters. Similarly, if the toilet seems unbalanced, use a level to verify; then use toilet shims to level the toilet. Slide a shim under the front, back, or sides to slightly adjust the position until the toilet is level. Connect the Toilet Tank and Supply Line Two-piece toilets can be disconnected to make the toilet installation easier. If you disconnected the toilet tank before installing the toilet bowl, put the pieces back together now. Make sure rubber gaskets are in place, and slide the tank bolts through the holes so they extend out the bottom of the tank. Set the toilet tank onto the bowl so that the bolts slide into the holes on the back of the toilet bowl. Tighten new nuts onto the bolts to secure the connection. Next, connect the incoming water supply line to the base of the toilet tank. Use a set of channel lock pliers or a wrench to tighten the nut until the connection is snug. Turn On the Water and Test for Leaks Now that the toilet is installed and the water line is connected, turn the water back on at the isolation valve. Check the connection between the water line and the toilet tank, as well as the connection between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, for any leaks. After the toilet tank has filled entirely, flush the toilet to ensure it works. Also, check the floor for any signs that waste water is leaking from the wax seal. If this is the case, you may need to adjust the position of the wax seal or tighten the toilet bolts. Caulk the Base of the Toilet As long as there are no leaks, you can apply a bead of waterproof silicone caulk around the front and sides of the toilet. Leave the back of the toilet uncaulked so water can escape if a leak forms. This will allow you to detect the leak faster, instead of trapping the water under the toilet, where it can rot the floor. Install a Toilet Seat The final step of this job is to install the toilet seat. Ideally, you took measurements ahead of time and purchased a toilet seat that fits the new toilet properly. Line up the toilet seat with the holes in the toilet bowl, and thread the bolts through the holes so they extend through both the toilet seat and the toilet. Add a washer to each bolt, and tighten new nuts onto the bolts to secure the toilet seat. If necessary, use a wrench or a set of channel lock pliers to tighten the nuts, but make sure that you don't overtighten the nuts, as this can make it difficult to remove the toilet seat in the future.