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How To Replace An Old Toilet

Toilets break or stain, or are simply outdated and use too much water. The good news is that that old or broken toilet can be replaced fairly easily, even if you are a novice homeowner. See below for instructions on how to replace an old toilet with a new one.

Here's What You'll Need:

• New toilet
• Pipe wrench
• New water line
• Flange
• Wax ring
• Level
• Caulk/caulk gun
• Razor blade
• Bucket
• Rags

Instructions:

1. First, turn the water off to the toilet. There should be a shutoff valve just behind your toilet. Turn it off, then flush the toilet a few times to get as much water out of the tank as possible. 
2. Next, use the pipe wrench to separate the tank from the toilet bowl, and disconnect the water line. Use a bucket to empty out any more water that may be left in the tank.
3. Remove the tank and take it out of your home.
4. Then begin disassembling the toilet bowl from the floor. To do this, use the wrench to remove the nut and washer holding the toilet in place.
5. Pull up on the toilet bowl to remove it from your home.
6. Scrape off any caulk from the floor.
7. Remove the flange and the old wax ring. Then place a rag inside the hole in your floor to prevent sewer smells from stinking up your home.
8. Take out the rag, then add a new wax ring into the drain hole. Add the new flange to the top of that using the new bolts that came with the new toilet.
9. Install the new toilet bowl, lining up the screws and holes, pressing it firmly onto the wax ring. Move it around so it is level (use your level to be sure).
10. Once the toilet is level, add the new nuts and washers to hold the toilet firmly in place. Then install the tank and attach the new water line. 
11. You can caulk around the base of the toilet to give it a nice seal, but you should leave about a 2 inch gap at the back of the toilet just in case it ever leaks you can spot the leak before it causes too much damage. (This step is optional.)
12. Turn the water back on, allowing the tank to fill up with water and then test out your new toilet. Look around the base of the toilet for leaks, as well as around the water line and beneath the tank.

Installing a new toilet is fairly easy to do, even if you aren't that handy with tools or plumbing. If you don't think you can handle this job, don't try to tackle it yourself. Leave it to a professional, such as from Henry's Service All, to ensure the job is done properly.