How to Correctly Install a Toilet! 2026

How to Correctly Install a Toilet, there are 3 easy steps to get one installed. The first step is to delete the previous one. As easy as it may seem, removing a toilet the wrong way can be quite a pain, so I'll show you how to do it the right way.

The second step is to prepare everything for the new toilet. There are some simple steps to follow before installing the new one. And finally, installing the new toilet and testing it.

Step 1: Tools and materials

So, first of all, I want to go through all the tools and materials you will need to complete the job. The first tool you will need is an adjustable wrench. You will use it for most fasteners in the toilet whether removing or reinstalling. You will also need a plastic scraper, a small metal saw, and a sponge.

As for materials, you will need a new wax seal. I prefer to get a wax seal with a plastic zip tie like this one. They are a little more expensive, but they are worth every extra penny.

You will also need some transparent silicone. I prefer to get a "squeeze" type tube since once it's installed, I'm going to be making a joint around the perimeter of the toilet and sometimes it can be a little cumbersome to have a caulking gun.

And lastly, it is recommended to replace your toilet circuit every time you change your toilet, it's cheap insurance, so make sure you get the right one beforehand.

Step 2: Removing the toilet

So, the first thing you should do is turn off the water to the toilet and rinse out all the water left in the tank. Next, take your sponge and empty out all the water in the container, it will make it easier to transport and it won't leak all over the place once you've removed it.

Once this is done, go ahead and turn off the water supply. You may have some water in the tank, so have a rag handy to dry the floor.

Next, unscrew the nuts holding the toilet, there is 1 on each side. You'll want to keep them, as you'll most likely reuse them in the new bathroom.

Your old toilet is now ready to go. If for some reason it seems stuck and doesn't want to come out, it could be because some silicone was used during installation to prevent it from wobbling over time. But if that's the case, take a hacksaw blade, run it across the floor and the toilet to try to cut through the silicone, eventually, you'll give up and you'll be able to remove the toilet without any problems.

Step 3: New toilet preparations

Once the toilet is removed, you should have something that looks like this. This is called the “toilet flange” and is where the toilet pipe and drain meet. You will also notice 2 long bolts on each side of the flange, these are the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor and the pipe to the toilet. The yellowish material you see on the flange is your wax seal. The wax seal is what prevents waste from seeping under the toilet, so let's remove the old one and replace it with a new one, but first, put an old rag in the pipe to make sure the sewer gases don't come to light. the house.

Now, use your plastic scraper to remove all the residual wax until it becomes clean as well. You want to make sure your installation is perfect, so take the time to remove everything just to be sure. Many DIYers will place their new wax seal on the flange, but I prefer to place it under the toilet as you are 100% sure it is aligned with the toilet's waste outlet.

I also always like to replace my this part at this point of the installation as it is easily accessible. Get a good quality braided stainless steel hose as this is the weakest link in your system and you wouldn't want it to burst.

With the seal and track installed, now is a good time to apply some silicone under the toilet. I do this to make sure my installations don't wobble and also feel more professional when you sit down. So apply a small bead around the perimeter of the bottom and on the flat areas.

Step 4: Installing the new toilet

Great! You are now ready to install your new toilet. Be sure to remove the rag from the pipe, lift the toilet and place it over the flange like this. The goal here is to line up the bolts with the holes as best as you can and then lower the toilet into place.

You will feel a slight resistance once it is in place, this is caused by the wax seal. So what you want to do is use your weight to flatten the seal into its final position. You will feel when there is no more and that is when your toilet will be sealed and sitting properly. Now go ahead and put on the plastic spacers, then the brass washers, and lastly the nuts. Use your adjustable wrench to tighten them enough so the toilet doesn't wobble. If you tighten them too much, the porcelain will crack and you will need a new toilet. When you tighten them, it's important that they don't spin, so here's an interesting tip. Use a pair of adjustable pliers or vise grips and pinch the bolt to prevent it from rotating when tightened. Reconnect the supply line and slowly turn the water back on.

Wait until the tank is completely full. If you don't see a leak, that's a good sign. Repeat this process at least 5 times to ensure you have a leak-free gasket and you're done, now all you have to do is cut the bolts and reinstall the caps. This part is a personal preference, but I like to give the toilet a nice silicone gasket on the bottom which I think makes cleaning easier, but you can leave it unmasked if that's what you choose, but if you do, wait a day to let the silicone harden.

And that's how to properly install a toilet!Greetings!

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