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Reinstall the Toilet — Install the New Toilet

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

New Toilet Installation: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 3 of 4

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In this video

Place a new wax ring onto the newly secured flange. Carefully lift the toilet and lower it straight down over the flange, aligning the holes in the toilet base with the bolts. Press down firmly to seat the toilet in the wax ring. Reinstall the washers and nuts on the bolts, tightening them alternately and evenly until the toilet is stable. Reconnect the water supply line.

Goal: Toilet Repair (Standard)

  • Sit on the toilet after installation to help compress the wax ring and create a good seal.
  • Do not overtighten the nuts, as this can crack the porcelain base of the toilet.

Used in this video

  • Adjustable wrench (Tool Type: Hand Tools, Wrench Type: Adjustable wrench)To tighten the nuts on the toilet bolts and reconnect the water supply line.
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Korky Toilet Repair

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FAQs

What additional tools or materials, beyond the adjustable wrench and sponge, are highly recommended for a successful toilet installation?

A five-gallon bucket is crucial for collecting residual water from the old toilet. Also, have a utility knife for trimming bolt caps, rags for cleanup, and consider purchasing a new braided stainless steel supply line for optimal reliability and leak prevention.

What are the most crucial safety precautions and potential hazards I should be aware of during this DIY toilet installation?

The old toilet can be very heavy; always lift with your legs or ask for help to prevent back injury. Be extremely careful not to overtighten the mounting bolts or the tank bolts, as this can easily crack the porcelain fixture. Ensure the water supply is completely off before disconnecting anything to avoid water damage.

The project is rated 'beginner' with an estimated 3 hours. Is this realistic, and what factors might unexpectedly increase the project time or difficulty?

While 3 hours is a good estimate for ideal conditions, beginners should allocate more time, perhaps 4-6 hours, to avoid rushing. Rusted bolts, a damaged flange requiring repair, or discovering an uneven floor can significantly extend the project. Always be prepared for unforeseen challenges.

After installation, if my new toilet rocks slightly or I detect a leak, what are the most common causes and how should I troubleshoot them?

Toilet rocking often indicates an uneven floor or bolts tightened unevenly; use shims to stabilize if the floor is uneven. Leaks typically stem from an improperly seated wax ring, loose supply line connections, or an issue with the tank-to-bowl gasket (if applicable). Retighten connections carefully or inspect the wax ring if a leak persists at the base.

Transcript
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so we used this flexibility to our advantage and screwed the flange to the floor to strain it. After the toilet was reinstalled the hole popped out of nowhere so we packed that with plaster and

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.