Shifting to a new home and installing a new toilet right from the base can be a challenging project. For this, you need to check the water line and prepare the plumbing system first. Nevertheless, if you are interested in replacing the old toilet with a new one, toilet flange repair and new toilet installation are simple and require less time. With basic planning and the right tools, you can finish toilet flange installation in one day. So, why spend money in hiring a professional repairer, if you can complete the project with a few do-it-yourself tips.
Tips on How to Install a Toilet
The actual steps for installing a toilet may differ slightly from one model to another. Hence, go through the manufacturer’s instructions for understanding the hardware and installation basics. Of all the designs, the most popular unit has a tank mounted separately on the backside of the toilet bowl. The following is a step-by-step procedure regarding toilet flange installation for the typical model, which you can implement in your bathroom remodeling project.
Supplies Required for Toilet Installation
- Toilet bowl
- Toilet tank
- Toilet flange bolts
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
- Socket set
- Kitchen silicone
- Level
Directions for Toilet Installation
Step #1: Prepare Toilet Flange
For installing the toilet, first fix the closet flange at the bathroom flooring level, which connects the drain pipe below and toilet bowl above. If you are replacing an old toilet, first scrape off the old wax bowl ring neatly before laying the new flange. Make sure that the holes in the sides of the flange are aligned with the floor holes. Slip the two toilet flange bolts along with the plastic keepers in the holes.
Step #2: Position New Toilet
For toilet flange installation, the next thing to do is turn the toilet bowl upside down and fix the wax bowl ring (or plastic flange). Or else, you can place the wax bowl ring around the drainage hole. Whichever way you have fixed the ring, position the new toilet carefully, ensuring that the flange is falling as directed and the bolts are passed through the holes on both sides of the new toilet.
Step #3: Install New Toilet
Slide the plastic cover clip, washer and then, fasten the nut on one side of the bolt. Then move to another side and follow the same. Each time, fasten slightly until both sides are tightened equally. Do not make the mistake of over tightening, or the flange will break and cracks will develop in the ceramic base. Now, as you are done with toilet fixing, let’s move to the tank installation part.
Step #4: Install Toilet Tank
The next step to be followed in continuation to toilet flange installation is laying the tank. Place the triangular shaped plastic gasket at the base of the tank and set the three bolts on the sides of the gasket. Following this, place the toilet tank over the bowl. Keeping the tank at a level state, slide the washers and fasten the nuts tightly. If you have done toilet tank replacement before, follow the same procedure.
Step #5: Connect Water Supply
The last step is to connect water supply to the tank and check whether your newly installed toilet is working properly or not. Check for water leakage (if any) while flushing. If everything works well, give a final touch and remove extra bolts (if any) by using a hacksaw. Also, for complete sealing, you can use silicone caulk around the base of the bowl.
So, aren’t these steps for installing toilet flange easy for you? Provided that the plumbing work is already done, toilet flange installation is not so difficult, and you can accomplish the task on your own without major hurdles. Most probably, you will be able to complete the installation part within half a day, or at the most, you will take a full day for the project.