Before You Begin

Prepare the work area so that you have everything you need within reach.

check that that thetoilet you buycomes with a wax ring.

If not, purchase a wax ring or a silicone ring.

Toilet bolt cap threaded on top of white adapter to cover bolt

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Rotate the handle clockwise to shut off the water flow.

With the putty knife and an old screwdriver, scrape the wax ring residue from the closet flange.

Remove the old toilet floor flange bolts.

Removing old toilet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Inspect the Closet Flange

Check the closet flange for suitability for the new toilet.

The flange can have some rust but it should not be heavily rusted.

It should be solid and firmly attached to the floor.

Olf flange being cleaned with putty knife from under removed toilet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Check the flange for level with the bubble level.

Warning

Do not load the new toilet on a loose or shaky flange.

Either replace it yourself or call in a plumber.

Toilet flange inspected before removing old wax ring

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

load the Floor Flange Bolts

Insert the new floor flange bolts supplied by the new toilet.

With the threads pointing upward, insert the bolts into the slots in the closet flange.

Slide the bolts along the flange’s slots until they are parallel with the back wall.

Flange bolts inserted into slots for setting toilet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Press the wax ring into place, but do not distort its shape.

Rest the Toilet Bowl on the Flange

Remove the rag from the toilet drain.

After turning the toilet bowl upright, rest its base on the closet flange.

New wax ring placed under toilet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Line up the two holes on the bowl’s base with the two closet flange bolts.

Compress the Wax Ring

Press the toilet down, flattening the wax ring.

You may need to sit on the toilet for about a minute for the ring to fully compress.

Toilet pulled from floor while holding each side of bowl

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

The base should touch the floor.

Attach the Toilet Bowl to the Floor

Insert the plastic washers over the flange bolts.

Tighten the wing nuts to the bolts by hand.

Floor bolts on toilet disconnected with adjustable wrench

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Finish by adding the decorative plastic caps over the bolts.

Add the Toilet Tank

Place the toilet tank on the rear of the toilet bowl.

Gently wiggle the tank to coax it into the rubber-sealing gaskets.

Toilet tank reinstalled to bowl with bolts inserted into holes

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

From the inside of the tank, insert the plastic bolts.

The threaded ends will appear under the bowl.

Add the included plastic washers and wing nuts and tighten by hand.

Water turned on by turning shutoff valve under toilet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Connect the Water Supply

Connect the flexible water supply line to the bottom of the toilet tank.

Tighten it by hand.

Turn on the water supply and watch for leaks at the bottom of the toilet tank.

Screwdriver prying plastic bolt covers on toilet seat

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Add the Toilet Seat

Place the toilet seat on the toilet rim.

Attach the seat by inserting the plastic bolts and tightening the plastic nuts by hand.

Caulk the Toilet to the Floor

Flush the toilet a couple of times.

Caulk added to the base of white toilet

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Watch forleaks at the toilet base.

If there are no problems, caulk the toilet to the floor withbathroom silicone caulk.

After the old toilet has been removed, thetoilet closet flangeand sewer pipe may exhibit rust and decay.

A plumber can replace the flange or the end of the pipe.

Most likely, you’ve got the option to install a toilet yourself.

You should caulk around a toilet.

Caulking adds stability to the toilet bowl and prevents water or waste leakage.

The average toilet installation by a plumber costs $470.

Chapter 4: Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings / 405.6 Watertight joints.

2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC).