How To Install A Toilet Properly

If you are installing a toilet you need to install a toilet properly to do the job right the first time. If you are installing a new toilet in a new location, you will need to run a water supply line and a drainpipe and it must be connected to the drain/vent system in compliance with building code. Even if you are just replacing an existing toilet, you should really replace the water supply tubing as well as part of a total package. Now for the install.

Step 1 remove your toilet.

Step 2 after removing your toilet, is to determine which flange you will need to use.

If you are just reusing the old flange, it is a good idea to replace the 3/16-inch flange bolts with new ones. Purchase two 3 1/2-inch-long closet bolts at your local home center, home depot, home hardware store. If you are replacing the flange, you must screw it into a wooden floor. The self-tapping type concrete screws are used for concrete floor.

Step 3 placing the wax ring on bottom of toilet.

Place the wax ring on the bottom of toilet. This wax ring can vary in size with the size of the flange. Be sure to purchase the proper size wax ring. A 3 inch neck will fit a 3 inch closet elbow, and a 4 inch neck will fit a 4 inch closet elbow. If the closet elbow is 4 inches, but the neck is 3 inches in diameter, just purchase a 4×3 reducer.

Step 4 setting the toilet bowl down onto the flange.

Straddle the toilet bowl and lift it straight up by using your legs, not your back. Toilets can be heavy, so if needed get some help. Now set the toilet directly over the anchor bolts (a second person is nice to have to guide the bolts into the holes) now sit on the toilet, rocking it back and forth, this will seat the wax ring.

Step 5 tighten up the nuts connecting toilet to the flange

Tighten the nuts down on both anchor bolts until they are about hand tight. Shim as necessary to level out. Use an adjustable wrench and moving from one side of the toilet to the other, alternate the tightening of each nut about one half turn at a time until they are snug. Do Not Over-tighten!

If needed use a small hacksaw to cut the flange bolt off so only 1/4 to 1/2 inch thread extends above the nut. This will allow flange bolt cap to fit snugly. Most bolts do have snap-offs every 1/2 inch or so, but you should still cut through so you do not bend the bolt.

Install the bolt cap. Some types of caps will snap over the bolt and others caps must be filled with plumber’s putty and seated over the anchor bolt.

Step 6 install the tank anchor bolts.

Set in the tank anchor bolts as shown. Place the tank anchor bolts in the holes of the tank, this will help guide the tank onto the bowl.

Step 7 place the tank on top of the toilet bowl.

Lift the tank up and place it on top of the bowl. You may or may not need some help with this. Guide the tank bolts into the corresponding holes on the toilet bowl to seat them.

Step 8 tighten the toilet tank bolts.

Holding an adjustable wrench over the tank bolt nut while you tighten the bolt with a screwdriver is the easiest way to do this. Do not over-tighten as you can crack either the tank or the toilet bowl.

Step 9 installing the water shut off valve.

You set the valve over the compression ring, then draw the nut to it. Tighten the nut until about hand tight. Then use two adjustable wrenches to tighten until snug, one to hold back the valve in place and the other to tighten the compression nut.

Step 10 measure and cut water supply tube.

Holding the tank supply tube so it is in place. Let the extra pipe extend a little past the shutoff valve. Now mark the pipe for cutting. You must leave enough pipe so it will fit snugly inside the shutoff valve outlet. Now cut the supply pipe with a tubing cutter tool. If your think your plumbing skills are poor, you can use/purchase a braided supply line instead of the solid supply line shown above. Be sure your supply line and water shutoff valve are compatible before leaving the plumbing supply store.

Step 11 connect the water supply pipe to the toilet tank.

Seat the end of the supply pipe against the toilet tank. Draw up the tank nut until hand tighten or until snug. Slide the compression nut over the other end, then place the compression ring over the end of the pipe. Then seat the end in the outlet of the shutoff valve.

Step 12 tighten the compression nut to water supply valve.

Using an adjustable wrench, carefully tighten the compression nut, but do not over-tighten just nice and snug. Turn the water supply on and check for leaks along the whole supply line, by visually and by touching. Flush the toilet and check again for leaks around the base of the tank. If there is a leak found, tighten the connections one half turn re-check. Now to know how to replace a toilet.

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