Tips for Making a Messy Job a Little Easier
When it comes to do-it-yourself projects around the house, there’s a common misperception that repairing or replacing a toilet is one of the easiest. Even if it’s just a matter of replacing the inner workings of the commode, you need to take specific steps to avoid getting a lot of water on the floor. If you need to replace the entire toilet, you’ll have to mess with the wax ring as well. All in all, it’s often simpler to hire an experienced plumber to handle the job.
If, however, you want to try to do the job yourself, here are some helpful tips to minimize the mess.
Make Certain You Have the Right Tools
The bowl of the toilet is bolted to a flange at the top of the waste pipe. You’ll need an adjustable wrench to remove the bolts, so that you can remove the bowl. There’s a good possibility that the bolts have rusted, so you may need a hacksaw to cut off the lock nuts. You will also want to get a bucket and sponge, a level and a tape measure.
Pull the Old Toilet
Before you do anything, turn off the water to the toilet. You should have a shut-off valve on the water supply line. If you don’t, you’ll need for find another way to turn off the water (and you’ll want to install a shut-off valve before you’re done).
Once the water is off, flush the toilet a couple times. This will drain most of the water out of the toilet. Use the sponge and the bucket to soak up the rest of the water.
If you can lift the entire toilet, do so. That’s easier than taking the tank off. Remove the plastic caps that cover the bolts at the base of the toilet. If you have a socket set, you’ll find it easier to remove the bolts. If they are rusted, get the hacksaw out.
Once the lock nuts are off, rock the toilet a bit. That will loosen the wax ring at the base of the toilet. Pull the toilet and scrape off all wax residue with a putty knife.
Install the New Toilet
Place the wax ring on the opening at the top of the waste pipe. Find the bolts on the flange and thread them through the holes in the base of the toilet. (This is usually a two person job). Apply some weight to the toilet to set the wax seal. Put the washers and lock nuts on the bolts and tighten (not too tight–just snug). Attach the tank, install the innards, attach the supply line and turn the water back on!
Public Service Plumbers
5610 Dyer Street
Dallas, Texas 75206
(214) 753-4633
We offer plumbing installation and repair services to individuals and businesses throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Coppell, Garland, Mesquite, Addison, Kessler Park, Farmers Branch, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and Lewisville.
We bring more than five decades of experience to our client. No job is too big or too small. Every member of our team has been in the plumbing trades for at least 10 years. In addition, our support staff offers more than 100 years of combined experience in the plumbing business.
