Shipping to:Hilliard, OH

How To Install a Toilet

Follow these step-by-step instructions to replace your toilet

Holly Traffas

Miseno High Efficiency two-piece elongated toilet chair height.

The first thing you're going to want to do is remove the old toilet. And before you start this project, it's a good idea to put on some rubber gloves.

NOTE: Replacing a toilet is a simple project. If you run into any trouble, make sure you contact a licensed plumber.

Step 1

We're going to start by turning off the water supply to the toilet.

Gloved hand turning off water valve to toilet.

Step 2

Remove the excess water from the tank. You can do this by disconnecting the supply hose. Make sure you have a bucket on hand to catch the water.

Hand disconnecting the water supply hose to the toilet.

Step 3

Remove the caps at the base of the toilet, along with the bolt holding it to the ground.

Hand using wrench to remove caps and bolts at base of toilet.

Step 4

Carefully rock the toilet back and forth to break the seal. At this point, you should be able to lift the toilet straight up and out. This may take an extra set of hands.

Man rocking toilet back and forth gently.

Step 5

Remove the old wax ring. And to prevent any unwanted odors from the drain, you might want to stick an old rag in the hole while you're doing this.

Hands using flat putty knife to remove old wax ring from floor, white rag.

Step 6

Make sure you've got a nice clean floor. Go ahead and put your new wax ring in.

Installation of new wax ring into floor.

Step 7

Lower the new toilet bowl onto the wax ring, making sure to line up the holes with the bolts in the ground. Apply even pressure to the toilet so it sits completely flat on the ground. You can also try sitting on it to make sure it's got a firm seal.

Person lowering toilet onto new wax ring.

Step 8

Replace the bolts to attach the toilet to the floor, along with the decorative caps. When tightening the bolts at the base of the toilet, make sure you don't over-tighten, as this may crack the porcelain.

Bolts and caps being tightened at base of new toilet.

Step 9

If your toilet bowl and tank come separately, now you can go ahead and attach the tank to the bowl. Make sure the rubber gasket is in place. Place the tank on top of the bowl.

Person positioning new tank to the bowl.

Step 10

Use the provided screws to secure the tank to bowl. Make sure the rubber washers are on the inside of the tank.

Tightening screws with rubber washers inside the tank bowl.

View down into tank showing rubber washers and screws that secure the tank

Step 11

Run a bead of caulking around the base of the toilet. To make the job easier, we used this handy Milwaukee battery-powered caulking gun.

caulking around the base of the toilet using a caulking gun.

Step 12

Reconnect the supply hose to the toilet tank. Now go ahead and install your toilet seat.

Hands reconnecting the water supply hose to the toilet tank.

Step 13

Turn the water on and fill up the tank. Make sure to watch for any leaks.You may have to adjust the valve inside the tank to make sure you get the right water level.