Installing a New Toilet

This project is one that we all eventually must endure. Porcelain toilets will begin to crack over time and cause leaking if not replaced. When beginning any toilet replacement or installation project it is important to know that a previously used toilet will have an old wax bowl ring which will need to be scraped off of the toilet flange. The toilet flange is the plastic “ring” that is used to connect the sewage pipe to the toilet base.

Once you have removed the toilet from the packaging and inspected the parts for quality assurance, place the toilet together just to be sure all parts fit correctly. Once you have guaranteed that everything is ready for installation, flip the toilet bowl upside down. You will then inspected your purchased wax bowl ring and then press it firmly in place. The wax ring is used to attach the porcelain toilet to the flange. If desired, you can use strips of rubber shim stock, held in place with masking tape, to provide friction between your toilet and the floor.

Our next step is to slip the flange bolts into the notches of the flange and secure them in place with plastic keepers. Now that your base bolts are set use a pencil or screwdriver to mark (point to) your bolts as you balance the toilet into place. This makes it easier to see where it should be set. Once the toilet is placed on the flange press gently, or just sit on the seat for a few seconds, to secure. Now you will install your plastic cover, the washer, and the brass nut. Use caution when tightening. Equal force is needed to prevent breaking the flange or the toilet base.

You will then place the toilet tank on top of the installed bowl and insert the provided screws (usually three). If washers are not provided with the tank assembly, consider adding them for extra protection. Using a washer and nut on the end of the screws will flatten out the gasket and seal the holes in the tank. Try using a socket and ratchet wrench to tighten each nut, and a flat blade screwdriver will hold the screw in place well. Use a level to assist in leveling the tank while tightening.

Now you will need to connect the water supply to the toilet’s inlet. The inlet is the open fitting on the bottom of the toilet’s tank.

The last step is to seal the base of the tank to the floor. This is normally done using an application of silicone caulk. This will hold the toilet in place. Remember that if a toilet ever moves, the seal will almost always become broken. This allows sewer gases or water to leak. This type of leak is rarely detected until damage is visible. Try to omit a line of caulk from the backside of the toilet. This will give an opportunity for visibility if the wax ring ever leaks. The best chance you have, if there is ever a leak from the wax ring, is to be alerted by visible signs of water.