Skip to main content
Stesso
Project

Shut Off Water and Empty Toilet — Preparing for Toilet Removal: Disconnecting Water Supply

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

Toilet Installation Guide: Mastering Bathroom Plumbing with Diagrams · Step 1 of 7

Helpful?

In this video

First, locate the water shut-off valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply. Then, flush the toilet to empty the tank and as much water from the bowl as possible. Use a sponge, towel, or a simple water pump to remove any remaining water from both the tank and the bowl to prevent spills when the toilet is moved.

Goal: Toilet Removal

  • Confirm the water is off by observing if the tank starts to refill after flushing. If it does, the valve is not fully closed or is faulty.

Used in this video

  • Towel or Sponge — Soaking up and removing residual water from the toilet tank and bowl.
  • Bucket — Wringing out the towel/sponge and collecting the removed water.
62.1K views76310 minutes
Fix This House

638K subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

What essential tools do I absolutely need for a successful toilet installation?

You'll definitely need adjustable wrenches, like the 12-inch crescent wrench mentioned, for tightening nuts and supply lines. A putty knife is crucial for scraping off old wax, and a sponge along with a bucket will help manage any residual water during removal. Don't forget towels for spills!

What are the critical safety steps I should take before and during toilet removal and installation?

Always shut off the water supply completely and flush the toilet until both the tank and bowl are empty to prevent water damage. When lifting the old or new toilet, bend with your knees and use proper lifting techniques, or have assistance, as toilets are heavy and awkward to maneuver.

How can I ensure a leak-free seal when installing the new wax ring and toilet bowl?

Place the new wax ring precisely onto the toilet flange, ensuring it's perfectly centered over the drain opening. When lowering the toilet bowl, aim directly down onto the ring without twisting or rocking, which can break the seal. Tighten the mounting bolts evenly and gradually, alternating sides, to compress the wax uniformly.

Is installing a toilet suitable for a beginner, and what's a realistic time estimate?

Yes, toilet installation is considered a beginner-friendly DIY project, but it requires careful attention to detail. While the estimated time is 4 hours, a beginner might take a bit longer, so plan for 4-6 hours to account for preparation, unexpected issues, and the learning curve.

Transcript
Hide

So to remove the old toilet, shut off the water valve, flush as much as it'll flush and make sure it is no longer filling up the bowl with water. That's going to tell you whether your valve is still good or not. And then to get the remaining water out of the toilet bowl in the tank, I use the state of the art water gun with a hose tape to it. And I just dump it into a bucket. But if you don't have one of those, you can just use a towel and ring it out into a bucket. Or if you have one that's long enough, use the sprayer portion out of a spray bottle and just squirt it into a bucket. That might work too. And you have to get that water out.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.