Is installing a new toilet messy?

Maybe your toilet is pea-soup-green plastic, and roughly two decades overdue for a makeover. Or perhaps you’ve had an accident and cracked the fixture, or sprung a leak at the base. It’s possible that the toilet’s just completely backed up, and the only way to access the blockage is literally to remove the entire thing. Whatever the reason, if you’re facing this sort of situation, you’re probably asking yourself: “Do I need a plumber to replace a toilet?”

Our DIY toilet replacement

I know that question all too well. I’ve asked myself that very question, when my husband and I were DIY remodeling our very first bathroom. We were laying penny tiles on the bathroom floor, and we had to lift the toilet to tile underneath. We were young and poor and looking to save as much as we could, so when my husband cautiously asked, “Um, do I need a plumber to replace a toilet?” I threw caution to the wind and called upon my hubris: “No way man, we can totally do that ourselves!”

Why the smoke detector shorted out

It was just a few weeks later when the downstairs smoke detector began to sputter and sizzle, shrieking its shrill alarm before promptly shorting out with a final puff of electric smoke. Whoops.

As it turns out, the detector was on the ground floor ceiling, directly under -- can you guess it? -- the second floor bathroom we’d recently remodeled. And that toilet, that toilet we didn’t need a plumber to replace? Well, it was leaking. So, in the end, we did hire a plumber ... to fix the leak.

What you should really be asking

So I feel like I can speak with some authority on this one. If you’re asking yourself, “Do I need a plumber to replace a toilet?”, then you’re simply asking the wrong question. Because what you should really be asking is, “Am I actually qualified to replace a toilet myself?” And that depends entirely on you.

Removing and installing toilets

In general, removing a toilet seems pretty straightforward. It’s a simple linear progression of steps: siphoning out the water, disconnecting the line, unbolting the base, removing the tank, removing the seat, and finally, lifting out the base. Installing a replacement toilet is essentially the same process, in reverse: preparing and cleaning the space, placing a new wax ring, setting the new toilet and sealing the ring, attaching the nuts, washers, bolts, and bolt caps, securing the tank and valve assembly, adding the toilet seat, and finally, turning the water back on. Voila!

When something goes wrong

Seems easy enough, right? Well, yes, as long as nothing goes wrong. But anytime you’re dealing with pipes and water and large heavy ceramic oddly-shaped objects, you’ve got to expect that something may go wrong. In our case, the wax ring mold was replaced incorrectly and didn’t make a complete seal, resulting in the tiniest trickle of a leak. We only discovered the leak because of the smoke alarm, and if that alarm hadn’t been there, who knows how long we might have been draining water into our walls and ceiling. It could have become an incredibly costly, not to mention messy, repair.

Is DIY replacement worth it?

A toilet, the fixture itself, is relatively cheap. But labor is pricey, and replacing a toilet can become an expensive endeavor if you’re paying someone else to do it. On the other hand, doing it on your own and accidentally doing it wrong can end up costing even more. It’s a risk-benefit analysis you’ve got to run for yourself, depending on your own finances and your personal familiarity with plumbing and DIY home repair. Is it worth it? Only you can say for sure, but whatever you decide -- good luck!

There are many reasons why you may want to remove and install a new toilet in your bathroom. These can range from changing it for aesthetic purposes, your current toilet is leaking or is cracked or you’re moving into a new home and need to upgrade the bathrooms.

The list is almost endless. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to remove a toilet. We’ll explain the process of replacing a traditional two-piece toilet and a one-piece toilet system. 

Tools and Materials You May Need

As with any DIY task, you need to be prepared beforehand. Therefore, you must ensure you’ve got the right equipment and materials ready for the job at hand. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to get the task sorted in no time. 

Equipment:

• 4-in-1 Screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Pipe wrench
• Caulk gun
• Box spanner
• Cordless drill
• Hacksaw or pipe cutter
• Hammer
• Spirit level
• Locking pliers and/or adjustable pliers
• Rags/towels/sponges
• Rubber gloves
• Bucket 
• Wet vacuum
• Slip-joint pliers
• Tape measure
• Utility knife and a putty knife
• Drill

Materials:

• New toilet
• Toilet seat
• Toilet shims
• Bolts for the toilet seat
• Wax ring that has a flange
• Wax ring that doesn’t have a flange
• Silicone caulk (optional)
• Penetrating oil
• Teflon tape

How to Remove Your Toilet

In your endeavours of installing a new toilet, the first step is to remove the old one. You will need to remove the old toilet and disconnect it from its pipes and fittings. So, how do you disconnect the toilet? In this section, we’ll answer that question.

All things being considered, the time it takes to remove a toilet varies from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the condition of the toilet parts and fittings. Below are the steps you’ll need to follow to completely remove your old toilet from the floor and sewer pipe. However, if you still feel unsure, you can always consult the professional plumbers, who will be more than happy to help you. 

Step 1. Turn Off the Water Valve and Drain the Toilet

As a starting point, put on your rubber gloves and get ready to begin. Firstly, you need to turn off the water valve and drain the toilet cistern. To do the latter, you’ll need to flush the toilet so that the cistern is empty. There might still be some water left in it, though, so remove the cistern lid and use sponges, cloths or towels to absorb the remaining moisture and water left in it. Once ready, you can proceed to the next step.  

Step 2. Disconnect the Water Supply

Since you need to work in a water-free environment, make sure to disconnect the water supply. Locate the supply valve in your home and switch it off for the temporary period of the toilet removal and installation process. 

Step 3. Remove the Toilet Cistern 

The toilet cistern is the tank that contains the water which is used for flushing. You need to remove it before you proceed to separate the rest of the toilet body. However, this step doesn’t apply to one-piece toilets, where the cistern is physically attached to the toilet itself. It’s therefore important that you’re aware of your toilet and cistern type so that you can take the best steps for removing it and installing the new one. 

Start off by removing the cistern lid, which should simply come off when lifted. It’s not usually attached to the cistern in any restrictive manner unless the toilet is fitted with a flush down button rather than a lever. From there, you need to use your screwdriver to unscrew the bolts at the base of the cistern. If you find that your flushing mechanism is faulty, replacing your flush button is a whole other topic to delve into.

Once you’ve unscrewed them successfully, you can proceed to the next step. However, if it’s hard to remove the bolts because they are rusty, old, or screwed on too tightly, use a pair of pliers or a wrench to help you. 

Step 4. Unscrew the Mounting Nuts

The mounting nuts on your toilet are the fixtures that hold the toilet to your floor in place. You will want to remove these, but if it’s problematic due to the nuts being rusty or old, as mentioned in the previous step, try to use a screwdriver or wrench to help you loosen and unscrew them. This may require some effort on your part as they may have been screwed on years ago and are, therefore, hard to lift out of place.   

Step 5. Cut Through the Caulk and Pull the Toilet Up

Plumbers attach most toilet bases to the bathroom floor using caulk or silicone. You may therefore use your putty knife or utility knife to scrape this material off from the base of the toilet. When you’ve done this, use an old towel or a rag to wipe the base of the toilet clean.

Since you’ve unscrewed the mounting nuts in the previous step, and you’ve cleaned and cut through the caulk, you’re ready to pull the old toilet up. Lift it up, but be careful, as the toilet body can weigh quite a bit.  

Step 6. Remove the Old Wax Ring

Before completely lifting the toilet body up to remove it, you must disconnect it from the sewer pipe. You’ll be able to do this by removing the old wax ring, which connects the toilet to the sewer pipe and your drainage system. Use a putty knife or utility knife as this is a rather sticky substance and needs to be scraped off effectively and completely. This wax ring prevents any leakages from the toilet, so it’s a good insulating medium. 

Step 7. Check the Flange and Your Bowl Bolts

The flange of the toilet acts as a stabilising floor mount. Typically made from a PVC, copper, steel or brass, it is also paired with a metal or plastic ring that bolts it to the floor. It is sealed to the drain of the toilet to prevent leakages using a wax ring.

Once you’ve identified the flange, you can unscrew it so that all the components of the toilet, which were connected to piping or the floor have been disconnected. You’ve successfully removed and disconnected your old toilet!

How to Fit a Toilet

The time frame for fitting a toilet varies from one to four hours, depending on your level of DIY experience. Any new toilet installation requires prior preparation and, essentially, working backwards from removing an old toilet.

So, if you’re wondering how to install a new toilet, keep reading below for some easy-to-follow steps. 

Step 1. Install the New Mounting Bolts and Wax Ring

Remember that your water supply should still be switched off while you work so that you avoid any drips and leaks, making a mess. Now you’re ready to install your new toilet, which should come equipped with new mounting bolts. You need to secure these to the floor where the old holes are. You must also install the new wax ring on the sewer pipe so that you avoid water leaks. But be careful because it is rather sticky! 

Step 2. Fit the Toilet and Tighten the Nuts

Take the body of your new toilet and slowly and gently hover it over the bolts, making sure that they align with the holes. Once the bolts have protruded through the holes, you need to tighten them with the nuts. Your new toilet is now securely connected to the floor and sewer pipe, leading us to the next step.  

Step 3. Install Your New Cistern

It’s now time to install your new cistern. However, keep in mind that this step doesn’t apply to one-piece toilets, where the cistern is attached to the toilet itself. Pick up the cistern and attach it to the toilet body using the equipment and tools mentioned above. 

Step 4. Connect The Water Supply

You have now secured your toilet in place and are ready to turn on the water supply. Do so, keeping in mind that there may be leaks. 

Step 5. Turn On the Water and Check for Leaks

It’s critical to ensure that all your handiwork doesn’t go to waste. That’s why you better check for drips and leaks. Flush the toilet several times to ensure that no water is leaking onto the bathroom floor. 

How Long Does it Take to Replace a Toilet?

In essence, that depends on your skill level and experience, plus the type of toilet you have. If you’ve done this before, it should be a piece of cake. However, if it’s your first time, and depending on the complexity of the job, it could take anything from one to four hours on average. 

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Toilet?

If you’re not confident in your skills and abilities to remove an old toilet and fit a new one, don’t worry. You can always consult the professionals to help you. Toilet installation service costs around £98 per hour on average. Depending on the complexity of the job, it may take anything from two to three hours. The price also varies depending on whether the work needs to be carried out in the evenings or during weekends.

Therefore, this is just an indication of the average amount you may need to pay, as these are not final prices and may change. However, you can benefit from a neat discount if you’re a Fantastic Club member.

Takeaways

Replacing an old toilet with a new one doesn’t have to be a difficult or daunting task. As long as you’ve got the right equipment and materials ready and at hand, you’re all set to begin on this DIY project. Ultimately, you’ll need to follow the steps in sequence and you’ll be able to complete the job on your own.

However, if you feel uncomfortable or not ready to embark on this task yourself, you can always consult with tradesmen. The important thing to keep in mind going forward is to always ensure that your water supply is turned off before you start on your toilet removal and installation task. This will not only help you prevent a big mess but will also enable you to carry out the job more effectively. 

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