First we will go over how to remove the toilet, then how to install toilet. Before removing the toilet make sure you have a wax ring for reinstalling the toilet and a tube of waterproof caulking to caulk around the bottom of the toilet. A wax ring forms the seal between the toilet and the closet flange. I recommend using a thick wax ring with the rubber boot.
The closet flange connects to the drain pipe and is what you see on the floor after removing the toilet. Closet bolts mount the toilet to the closet flange, the closet bolts fit into a special grove in the closet flange that hold the closet bolts from moving. If the closet flange is rusted out or broken there are special repair closet flanges you can use that install over the existing flange.
To determine the size of pipe that the existing closet flange is, measure the distance inside the closet flange. It will be either be 3" inside or 4" inside, depending on your specic flange and how it is installed it may be 2-1/2" or 3-1/2" inches inside the pipe. The repair flange will still fit inside your existing flange, you will either need a 3" repair closet flange or a 4" repair closet flange.
To install a repair closet flange, insert the repair flange into the existing flange and step on it. Once its seated all the way down fasten it to the floor securely with 2-1/2" or 3" long screws.
Now that we have covered a few basics, here are the steps to remove and install toilet.
Removing the toilet
Step1.
Close the water shut off valve off behind the toilet.
Step2.
Flush the toilet and hold the lever down to drain as much water as possible out of the tank.
Step3.
Place a bowl or pan under the water valve and disconnect the water supply line from the water shut off valve.
Step4.
Cut the caulk at the base of the toilet with a utility knife.
Step5.
Remove the caps covering the closet bolts and take the nut off the closet bolts.
Step6.
If you havent yet, remove the tank lid so you dont have to worry about it falling off the toilet and breaking while removing the toilet.
Step7.
Use a small cup(or equivalent) to bail out as much water as possible out of the toilet bowl.
Step8.
While Pulling the toilet up tilt it back towards you at a slight angle so water dont spill out the toilet trap.
Install Toilet
Step1.
Place the closet bolts into the slots on the flange.
Step2.
Install the wax ring onto the closet flange centering it around the hole.
Step3.
Place the toilet over the flange, carefully lowering the toilet into positon and lining up the bolts.
Step4.
Rock the toilet side to side gently, and/or sit on the toilet till the toilet is tight to the floor.
Step5.
Install the plastic retainer washer for the cap over the bolts, then the metal washer, install the nuts onto the closet bolts and tighten. Its easier to use a deep-well socket to tighten the nuts. Be carefull not to over tighten the closet bolts. Tighten them a little bit and with minimum effort try to rock the toilet side to side. If it only rocks slightly its ok because the caulking around the base of the toilet will help sturdy the toilet from movement.
Step6.
Attach the water supply line to the toilet and to the water valve.
Step7.
Apply caulk around the base of the toilet except at the back of the toilet leave a gap in the caulking. This will allow you to detect a leak before it damages your floor if the wax seal ever starts to leak.
If you have a question about installing a toilet or a question about another repair post it in the user feedback.
