Click here to see the parts of a Toilet

Drain the tank by flushing the toilet. Use a rag to sponge the remaining water out of the tank. Do the same with the toilet bowl using a cup to scoop out the water and a rag to sponge out the remaining water.

Disconnect the supply tubing at the tank. The supply tubing is connected to the water supply valve and to the bottom of the toilet tank. Unscrew the slip-nut at the tank and let the tubing lay connected to the valve.

There are two bolts at the bottom holding the toilet bowl down to the floor. If there are caps on the bolts, just pop them off with a screwdriver. Remove the nuts and washers on the bolts.

Try to take the toilet off in one piece. But if it's too heavy, you'll have to take the tank off of the toilet first.(see below)

To remove the toilet: Using both hands hold the back of the bowl and lift straight up. Then, carefully carry it away from the waste pipe and flange. A little water may spill from the toilet so have a mop and extra rags nearby.

Remove the old bowl wax. It will be on the bottom of the toilet or on the floor flange.Use a putty knife to scrape-off the old wax, or putty, and clean the floor flange and the bottom of the toilet.(Some plumbers use putty instead of bowl wax.)

Examine the floor flange. Remove the old bolts. If the flange is loose tighten the screws that attach it to the floor.

To reinstall a toilet, or to install a new toilet, you are going to need new closet bolts, washers, and nuts, and a bowl wax. You can get these at your local hardware store. The hardware clerk will help you find the ones you need for your toilet, although, most toilets use standard items.

Place the bowl wax on the floor flange. Some say to put it on the toilet bowl, but I like putting it on the floor flange. Install the new toilet bolts, one on each side of the flange, and position them across from each other at the center.

Pick up the toilet and set it on the bowl wax on the flange. Sit on the toilet and rock it side to side, slightly, just enough to make sure the toilet is sitting on the wax. The bolts should be though the holes at the base of the toilet.

Put the washers on the bolts, then the nuts. Begin tightening the nuts. Go to one side then to the other, go back and forth, slightly tightening each nut. By tightening the nuts equally, (a little on each side, one at a time) the toilet will seat evenly and level, and won't wobble later. Keep tighten, but don't tighten too much or you will crack the bowl. Don't use a big wrench, use a small cresent wrench or adjustable pliers.

You are almost done. Install the water supply tubing, back on to the toilet tank.

Now you are ready to give it a test run. Turn the water back on and let the tank fill. Then, flush the toilet and begin checking for leaks. If you should see any water leaking, you will have to determine where the water is coming from. The slip-nut at the supply may not be tight enough. If you have any problems, read my section on Toilet Leaks.

If you still have the decorative caps, pop them on. They snap on to the washers under the nuts.

Removing and Installing a Toilet Tank

First thing: Shut-off the water supply.

Remove the tank cover, and store it in a safe place, away from you so that you don't step on it. Tank covers are easy to break and hard to replace.

Drain the tank by flushing the toilet. Use a rag to sponge the remaining water out of the tank.

Disconnect the supply tubing at the tank. The supply tubing is connected to the water supply valve and to the bottom of the toilet tank. Unscrew the slip-nut at the tank and leave the tubing connected at the valve.

The toilet tank is bolted to the toilet bowl with two bolts, washers, and nuts, one on each side at the bottom. There's a 2" diameter rubber gasket between the tank and the bowl. The gasket prevents water from leaking out of the tank, and on to the floor.

Remove the nuts and bolts: Hold a slotted screwdriver in the top of the bolts inside the tank, and unscrew the nuts from under the bowl.

Carefully, using both hands, lift the tank up off the toilet bowl.

To reinstall the tank or to install a new tank: I recommend using new nuts, bolts, washers, and a new gasket. They don't cost much, and they do wear out and can cause leaks. Install the gasket on the brass connection at the bottom of the tank.

Set the tank on the toilet bowl, lining up the holes for the bolts. Place the bolts in the holes with the rubber washers inside the tank, and the metal washers go on the underside, against the bowl. Screw the nuts on but do not tighten them yet.

Place a 2 foot level across the top of the tank (with the tank lid off.) Making sure the tank is level, begin to tighten the nuts. Go from one nut to the other, tighten the nuts a little at a time and equally so that the toilet tank remains level. Tighten the nuts until you can see the the rubber washers are pressing against the tank, so they won't leak.

Reconnect the supply line to the tank.

That's it. Turn the water back on, fill the tank, flush the toilet and watch for leaks.

If you get leaks, read about Toilet Leaks.

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© Molnar Contracting Corp. 2001-02 Jan Molnar Fitzgerald 02-09 All rights reserved.