Do it Yourself: How to Install a New Toilet

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have a wax ring and not a rubber ring. Some stores will try to sell you a rubber ring but the toilet will not sit right on the rubber ring and therefore will probably cause problems later on. Some problems will include not having a proper seal which could cause a mess on your bathroom floor.

Take the wax ring out of the package and inspect it. Make sure that it is in one piece. For best results install wax ring at room temperature. If it is too hot the wax may become loose and will not seal properly. If too cold the wax ring may become too stiff and will also not create a proper seal.

Take ring and stick to the bottom of the toilet and add a small amount of pressure so that the ring will stay on properly. (Toilet should be on its side when this is done.) Price of wax ring is generally $2-5 dollars.

2. Plumbers Puddy

Make sure you follow this step for best results although it is not absolutely required. Open fresh plumbers puddy and line the bottom rim of toilet with the puddy. It should be a small bead of no more than an eighth of an inch. This is to ensure that the toilet has a good seal to the floor. Plumbers puddy generally costs about $3 to $5 dollars.

3. Set Toilet on Flange

Carefully carry toilet over to the spot where it is to be set and carefully lower it onto the flange. It is best if you have someone there to help make sure that the wax ring is properly covering the flange as well as lining up the set screws in their proper place on the side of the stool. The screws should be hooked into the flange prior to dropping the toilet onto the flange. Be careful to lift toilet with legs so not to injure your back. After the toilet is set add pressure so that the toilet will not move in between your following steps. Best way to do this is to press down on toilet seat or just sit on it.

4. Bolt the Toilet Down

Make sure to set the screws in properly in the slots along the side of the stool. Next place the washers that came with the screw set onto the screws. You must put the washers on prior to screwing the nut onto the screws. Once the screws are tight go approximately one eighth of a turn past to ensure that that they will not loosen later on. (After so many times of people using the stool the nuts can tend to loosen so that is why you give it that extra little turn.) Do not tighten too tight or it will crack the porcelain.

5. Hook up the Water Supply Line

Using a flex tube supply line, either threaded or pressure fitted depending on your plumbing, hook up tube from the water stop (valve) in your bathroom next to where the toilet sits. If threaded wrap tephlon tape counterclockwise around the threads on the valve so that it will prevent leaking. Do the same for the threads at the bottom of the toilet tank. After that tighten supply line to both threads hand tight and then, using a wrench, give it a few small torques to ensure there will be no leaks. Turn on the water valve and check both areas for leaks. If there is a leak turn off water and try tightening threads a little bit more.

6. Test and Enjoy
Once finished with the installation it is good to flush the stool several times to make sure everything is working properly. Check the threads at the bottom of the tank and at the valve and check the base of the stool to see if any water is protruding from the bottom. Last give the stool a small shake. If the stool moves take a small crescent wrench and tighten the nuts on the set screws.

For a list of home remedies for your plumbing system visit the following link:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1395982/home_remedies_for_your_plumbing.html

For step by step instructions on how to properly unclog a toilet visit the following link:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1611175/diy_how_to_unclog_a_toilet.html

For other around the house advice visit the following link:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1617343/saving_money_and_being_a_handy_man.html