How do I remove and install a new toilet in the bathroom?

Richard
by Richard

Need directions on how to remove a toilet and install a new one?


  9 answers
  • Leah Leah on Dec 01, 2018

    Shut the water off to the toilet, then flush to empty tank. Take bolts out of base. If strong enough pull out with tank. If not take tank off. Buy a a new wax ring before you start. After toilet is off, take out wax ring, put new one in. Put toilet back in. Go t utube, put in replace toilet in search. It will give you videos to watch.

  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Dec 01, 2018

    Let this one up to the pros. It is a process of removing Screws, replacing the Seal and aligning the toilet, but the Job of getting the Toilet Aligned perfectly on the seal is not for the newbie. 'If you need to ask just call a pro', applies on this job. As, if it isn't aligned perfectly you end up with a leak. Maybe not an instantly noticed leak but one that starts small as the seal dry rots or warps and that can destroy a Ceiling Downstairs plus damage electrical.

    • See 2 previous
    • Yes, you are absolutely correct about that! Hopefully they learn to do it the right way and can save themselves some serious coin, or in this case c-notes . . .

  • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Dec 01, 2018

    My toilet is one piece with the bowl and tank combined. It is heavy and awkward. I have replaced toilets before but my back is not what it used to be. I called around to plumbers and handymen and got a rate of $100. I checked Yelp for good reviews.


    I cleaned around the toilet before he came so I could do a quick job of cleaning the floor when the toilet was removed. One of my bolts also needed to be replaced. For $100 plus $7 in parts it was worth it. Home repairs have to be budgeted for at a reasonable price. I agree with Naomie that $300 is way too much. Shop around.

    • You were lucky and got a bargain. Back in 2007 I need to replace 2 toilets in my mom's house. It was unoccupied at the time, so I did all the prep work myself, drained the toilets, removed them from the bathrooms and had the new toilets in the house. THEN by an unfortunate turn of events, I broke my right foot. Had to call a plumber and did shop around and had to pay $175 each to have installed (which was basically seating the new wax ring and hooking up the water.) I had a 30 yard container [dumpster] in the driveway and positioned so the old toilets could easily be dumped into it. Mind you this was 2007 . . . 11 years ago. Now I have back issues, arthritis and just can't plain lift the toilet by myself like I could years ago, and $300 was a low end quote. Ridiculous! I would never pay that much.

  • Deb K Deb K on Dec 01, 2018

    Hello, the first thing you need to do is shut the water to the toilet off, if you don't have one, you can also install a shut off valve on your toilet water line at this time.

    once the water is off, flush the toilet and remove the tank lid to bail out any remaining water in the tank. You should purchase a new wax seal, they are relatively inexpensive.

    Once the tank is empty, put old towels or tarps down along the route you will be moving the old toilet out, like hallways, etc. to protect flooring or carpets from water dripping out.


    At the base of the toilet, there are bolts, which may be covered by caps, remove caps and check what size wrench you will need to remove the bolts.


    Remove the bolts and put them in a ziploc bag to keep them together and not lost.


    Get help to lift the toilet straight up and off the bolts that come out of the flange on the floor. Put it outside or out of the way. Remove the old wax seal gently, and put into plastic bag so it doesn't make a mess.


    open new wax seal, and put in place where you removed the old one, then gently with help, put the new toilet base onto the flange bolts, then sit on it and ensure it is set properly. Assemble the tank part and set it on, attach with bolts that came with it, ensure you do not over tighten on the porcelain you could crack it. Hook up water line and turn on water, check for leaks at this time, and install toilet seat, test flush and it should be ready to go!



  • Dee Dee on Sep 10, 2023

    Replacing and installing a new toilet isn't as hard as it sounds. All you need are a few hours, a helper and the right tools and toilet parts for the job. Before you begin learning how to install a toilet, choose your new toilet and, if you aren’t replacing an existing toilet, make sure you have plumbing ready for the new installation.

    If you’re replacing a toilet, you’ll first need to remove the old toilet. Here’s an overview on how to remove an existing toilet for replacement:


    • Turn off the water at the shut-off valve located either on the wall or floor near the toilet.
    • Flush the toilet to drain all the water from the tank and toilet bowl. Use a plunger to force any remaining water down the drain line. While wearing rubber gloves, remove any remaining water from the tank with a sponge and a bucket.
    • Disconnect the supply line with an adjustable wrench. If the line has never been removed or has been connected for an extended period, it might be a little hard to loosen at one or both connection points. If that’s the case, use a heavy-duty lubricant to break down any corrosion.
    • Have a bucket and rag on hand to catch and wipe up any water that leaks from the supply line.

    If you’re working alone, it’s usually easier to separate the tank from the bowl. Lifting both pieces together can be difficult for one person.


    • Remove the bolts that connect the bottom of the tank to the bowl with an adjustable wrench.
    • Lift the tank straight up from the bowl and set it aside.
    • Pop open the toilet bolt caps. Use a screwdriver if necessary.
    • Use a pair of pliers or an adjustable wrench to remove the nuts and washers on the bolts that secure the bowl to the floor. If you find the nuts are rusted in place, use the heavy-duty lubricant to loosen the nuts. Then turn the screws to create as much space as you can at the base of the bolts. Use a hacksaw to cut the bolts off.
    • If your toilet is caulked around the base, use a utility knife to score through the caulk seam.
    • Gently rock the toilet bowl back and forth until you work it free and can lift it. Move it to the side to expose the old toilet seal.
    • Remove the old toilet seal using a putty knife. Wipe away any excess with a damp rag or sponge.
    • Stuff a rag into the open line in the floor to prevent sewer gases from venting into the home. Remove the rag before installing the new toilet.

    The flange secures the toilet to the drainpipe in the floor and provides a connection point for the hardware found on the base of the toilet. The old toilet's flange and bolts can be reused when installing a new toilet if they’re in good condition. If it is cracked or broken, replace it with a matching flange.

    • Rest the new toilet bowl on its side on a padded surface to protect the floor and the toilet and attach the replacement seal to the bottom of the bowl. The benefit to this technique is that you can be sure that the ring is in the proper position when placing the toilet over the flange.
    • Alternatively, place the seal in position on the flange prior to lowering the bowl into place.


    If thick tile has been added to your bathroom since the original toilet was installed, you may need a thicker toilet seal or wax ring.

    • Rest the new toilet bowl on its side on a padded surface to protect the floor and the toilet and attach the replacement seal to the bottom of the bowl. The benefit to this technique is that you can be sure that the ring is in the proper position when placing the toilet over the flange.
    • Alternatively, place the seal in position on the flange prior to lowering the bowl into place.


    • Tip: If thick tile has been added to your bathroom since the original toilet was installed, you may need a thicker toilet seal or wax ring. Place a washer and nut on each toilet bowl bolt and tighten evenly the nuts onto the bolts.
    • Alternate from one side of the toilet to the other as you tighten the nuts a little at a time. Be careful not to over-tighten the nuts and crack the porcelain bowl.
    • If the bolts extend too far above the top of the washers and nuts, cut off the excess with a hacksaw.

    If you have a two-piece toilet, you'll need to attach the tank to the bowl. If you have a one-piece toilet, you can skip this step, since the bowl and tank are permanently attached.


    • If not already attached, install the “tank to bowl” gasket onto the base of the flush valve. Insert the tank bolts and washers from inside the tank.
    • Place the tank onto the bowl, aligning the shank of the bolts with the holes in the bowl. If the bolts extend too far over the washers and nuts, cut off the excess with a hacksaw.
    • Secure the tank to the bowl by alternately tightening each tank bolt until the tank pulls down and meets the bowl.
    • Reattach the supply line to the exposed portion of the fill valve sticking out of the bottom of the tank and to the supply valve coming out of the wall or floor.