Replace A Toilet: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Toilet replacement is a very simple job. Learn how to replace or install a toilet in just a few minutes with this in-depth tutorial that covers everything you'll need to know. Along with how to remove a toilet, I'll demonstrate several different wax ring options, as well as how to install a toilet with lots of tips to make the job easier with less clean up.
#ToiletTips #DIYPlumbing #ReplaceToilet
Looking for a new toilet or any of the tools and supplies I used in this video? Clicking below and buying something will send a few pennies to help this channel, and does not cost you anything extra:
Better Than Wax Toilet Seal: amzn.to/3sDKvQe
Perfect Seal Kit: amzn.to/2Pp0GCF
Wax Ring: amzn.to/37YOnTI
Basic Adjustable Wrench Set: amzn.to/3dUiyiM
Basic Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/3r5OdkX
Toilets: amzn.to/3q3w6Ld
0:00 Introduction
0:10 Turn Off Water
0:46 Remove Excess Water
1:14 Disconnect Water Supply
1:50 Remove Tank
2:38 Remove Base Mounts
3:24 Tips For Removal
4:24 Remove Toilet Bowl
4:50 Clean Wax Ring
6:11 Remove Old Hardware
6:36 Seal Options For New Toilet
9:05 Install Mounting Bolts
11:35 Install Seal
12:14 Place New Toilet
12:55 Mounting Hardware
14:13 Tank Installation
16:08 Connect Water Supply
16:24 Install Seat
16:45 Check For Leaks
17:20 Check Water Level
18:04 Caulk Discussion
20:25 Caulk Toilet Base
21:44 Conclusion
22:12 Bloopers
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Disclaimer: The content provided in this video is for informational use only. Video content is provided at the viewers own risk and the viewer will not hold the parties involved in creating, producing or delivering this information liable for any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage of any kind resulting in any way from any errors in or omissions from the information. Thanks for understanding.

[@prakashgsvp]

👍 Worth watching. It's a complete DIY project.

[@AbukaMuhammad]

Great

[@jackking4574]

I watched this video yesterday then replace my toilet after watching. I was by myself so this step by step tutorial madeit so easy for a 1 man change. I appreciate you taking the time to post this. I'm 69 and this saved my back. Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@rolfsauer9462]

Best simple description on how to install toilet that I’ve come across.so far.

[@Brucether]

I wish I would have become a plumber. I went to college instead and what a waste of money and no passion for my job now at 54. I still love plumbing projects, although I haven't done it for 30 years and listened to all the complaints that I'm sure goes along with it, like all jobs. Love your videos.

[@darladellana4961]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! For being so detailed. For showing every single step (not just telling). For considering that some people may be older or have bad backs (that's me). I'm a 63 year old woman who is trying to become more self-sufficient with chores that my husband normally does. I'm going to have this video handy in the bathroom so I can follow it step-by-step as I go along.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Good luck! You can do it!

[@marylynch6288]

Wow! Love that I found you, thank you for expending so much time explaining the caulking dilemma. I'm a subscriber now.

[@jennifermorris4080]

This tutorial is amazing. I am reasonably handy but this is my very, very first time to tackle a project of this size. You offer amazing details and pointers on where things might go wrong. The video is exceptional. Was not planning on doing this project over Christmas, but my dad has the flu and my husband's arm is broken, so it's me :) Thank you thank you thank you thank you

[@AmplifyDIY]

You are very welcome - apologies for my delayed response. I hope the replacement went well for you!

[@orszagpeter7605]

This video is extremely detailed, awesome job! I just needed exactly this one. Thank you so much!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annamariaalongi2136]

Fantastic! I followed and today I installed my toilet, with no human help. Just me and myself.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great job!

[@thaitichi]

I'm jealous of how perfect your rough in and supply are. Your house must be very new. I think most people have to deal with replacing toilets on older homes and it doesn't go so smoothly. Another great video, thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

You are right - The variety of demons that can lurk under a toilet are large enough that I elected not to try to cover them all in this video - it was already nearly a half hour long. :) This was shot in a pretty new home, yes. I've replaced toilets in much, much older homes though, and other than being a bit more ... gross... have not run into any major problems. *knock on wood* Thanks for watching!

[@harblz57]

My luck runs like "most people." Any home repair or car repair I've found a video for on KZbin generally ends up taking two to three times longer in my case. I always run into some sort of complication or gremlin. So I just factor the extra time in from the beginning. ;-) :-( Thanks @AmplifyDIY for another great video.

[@recklessclient5304]

Whenever I install a new toilet I tend to caulk around the whole toilet leaving about a 1" gap at the back, Best of both worlds imo it looks great and you cant notice the lil bit that is missing at the back aswell as if a leak occurs most of the times it will be able to still be noticed. I am not a professional plumber by any means tho!

[@AmplifyDIY]

This is a great approach. Thanks for watching!

[@borissarson7277]

à

[@borissarson7277]

😊😊

[@CRM6214]

Great video! Here are some things to consider. I do caulk because my Florida house is built on a concrete slab, no wood under toilet to rot if there is a leak. If house is wood frame be sure to not caulk the back of toilet. I never used silicone because once it’s there it’s almost impossible to completely remove, especially on a porous wood floor. If the next toilet has a different footprint, well good luck. I use Dap Kwik Seal Plus clear. It is water clean up and completely waterproof. If gap is very uneven or toilet was shimmed then I would use white or biscuit to match toilet color. A bigger concern than overflow toilet water getting under toilet is it getting under the walls around toilet. Always caulk where the baseboard meets the floor and up the corner gaps a couple inches. White acrylic latex with silicone works great. My neighbor had a slow leak in the water line to the refrigerator ice maker and it went under the wall and cabinets causing $40,000 damage.

[@Tyaz81]

Very helpful and thorough video. This made my one person toilet install so much easier. Especially how you explained to disassemble first. Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great to hear!

[@scottbradshaw5249]

Any tips on picking up the toilet by yourself if you have a bad back.

[@tim_cavet]

This is my first time ever replacing a toilet. We're switching to a 1-piece fully skirted unit that's taller and elongated. The detail in this video is excellent. As far as the caulking goes, I was not planning on doing it because of the reasons you identified. However, you are the only one to point out that it is required per plumbing code, so I'll make it happen. I'll either get a small tube or I'll look into a caulking tape.

[@angel.mtz.2123]

Step by step instructions.! Muy bien. Thanks sr. Im 62 years old and im gone to do by myself

[@edunn2805]

This is a superb video. Clear, detailed, thorough, and perfect for the beginner. Thank you so much!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-ke8xq7iu7h]

Excellent! Best DIY toilet installation I have seen- great detail... Thanks a bunch!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bibichegeuskens746]

perfect help for demistifying the process of replacing a toilet yourself. Followed it to the letter, and installed my own toilet and saved a bunch of money. Thanks so much!!

[@ast-og-losta]

Like most guys. I watched this after I installed the toilet. Good point about sewer gas, I will know better next time.

[@tracic5967]

This was exactly what I was looking for! I’m fixing up my much neglected family cottage after my brother passed away and this was so easy to follow. I can’t thank you enough!

[@AmplifyDIY]

So glad it was helpful!

[@agentrye]

Used your step by step video to replace my toilet. Besides having to lay down Plaster of Paris to fix the tile being uneven, I was able to follow along your video step by step and knock out a project I had zero previous experience with. Thank you so much.

[@vince6829]

I’ve heard that caulking the front and sides of the toilet but leaving the back uncaulked is the best of both worlds.

[@MariE-go7ol]

When I bought my house the first 2 years I couldn’t figure out why my half bath always smelled like sewer and I kept thinking it was coming from the toilet. I finally realized that there was no cocking around my toilet and once I sealed it, the odor was forever gone! Thank you so much for this amazing video. I am a 57 yr old female, have hated my toilets for 10 yrs and because I’m handy I never wanted to hire anyone who will likely charge me too much so now I have complete confidence after watching you that this is going to be a breeze! 😊

[@juansalce7376]

I was a little hesitant to replace my toilet but this video made me more confident in doing so. I thank you for the time you spent to help the diy in all of us

[@cofeebeing]

Thanks. As to caulk, yes do seal toilet to floor , but also leave a few inches at back to be a "tell tale" gap if toilet develops a leak.

[@vermaraj73]

Great job. You have covered every details. Thank you.

[@royessinger7289]

Best DIY know how video. And the Vice Grip Garage hat and T-Shirt adds to the honesty of the advice !

[@AmplifyDIY]

A guy went ahead and did the right thing!

[@judyjudyjudy1841]

I think you have done a great job. Easy to understand. An improvement: the nut on top of the bolt that holds the toilet to the floor. That was the only problem I had when I installed my toilet, the screws wiggled around & I never did get the screw on the left lined up properly, now here I am trying again. I am sure tightening the nut to make the screw stable is going to make the difference. Thank you so much! Judie

[@darelldd]

You did an excellent job with this. The up-close camera work is spectacular. I only wish that we could have that excellent view during installations! This is sure to help a lot of people. I'm not sure if you mentioned it when you ended up caulking yours to the floor.... but my tip is "all of the above." Caulk the front portion, and leave the back open. That way you prevent the external leak problem seeping under, you add some stability and aesthetics. But the back is open to show any leak from the toilet gasket. I've seen these new rubber gaskets, but haven't yet been brave enough to try one. Yes, the wax is a bugger to clean up! But that's because it sticks so darn well. I like knowing that the thick ring (with insert for sure!) has made full contact, and then you squish it down. With the rubber, I'd be worried that I'm not getting enough compression, or seal all the way around evenly. I've never had a quality wax ring go bad, and I've never had to re-do any that I've installed.... so I don't much care what happens *next*. :-)

[@ngarren13]

this guide was VERY VERY VERY helpful!!! Installed a new toilet in my house today. And the recommendation of the non-wax seal was a great call. And this was my 1st time replacing and installing a toilet. Thank you for this video.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@bekithembamoyo1593]

Thank you very much for a clear and very informative video on how to. I feel confident that I now will be able to install my toilet bowl successfully following your step-by-step video. Keep making more as you are good at explaining things in layman's terms.

[@pimy01]

You are an amazing and extraordinary DIY instructor. You make it very simple to DIY beginner like me!!!!?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Wow, thank you!

[@marykathleenurbina2213]

Pretty simple instructions that everybody can understand. Very straight forward not so technical. Good job

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you, Mary!

[@trcass1]

excellent video. really appreciated the suggestion of the "better than wax" silicone ring.

[@ronpd1982]

Great presentation - very clear - thanks

[@chieftesschaos]

This was a great tutorial on how to do this. I had to replace three toilets in my home, and the first couple, I would stop and start again the whole time. Because he was so good at explaining every aspect, by the time I got to the third one, I was able to do it quickly and efficiently.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Nice job, Chief!

[@MikeMadison-f8s]

Excellent tutorial video

[@mvpgarage2944]

A feller just got home in the going to town rig after picking up a new commode, and I figured I’d go ahead and do the right thing and watch a how-to vidya first, and I landed here. This is very helpful and I appreciate you making the video. I feel ready to tackle this project after a cold snack or two. Hopefully I won’t make the bolts waaaay over tight…it’s fine.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Don't forget to stop to wet the back-neck from time to time during the job!

[@mehtaj011]

Excellent explanation.

[@serajmuhammed3942]

I watched your video on installing toilet seat. Please keep up the great job of helping self doers like myself. Thanks much.

[@AmplifyDIY]

You're welcome!

[@joeywayne4953]

Fantastic quality keep it coming!

[@utubegoogler3585]

What a simple, clear and professional presentation! Loved it. Now I feel confident to replace my old toilet. Thank you.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you for the feedback, and good luck!

[@cristiin1992]

Thank you so much for this video. After I was quoted $250 for replacing my toilet ( just replacing the toilet) I decide to do it my self, so far so good.

[@yardmansurfer]

Great video, very well paced and clearly explained. I caulk but at the back of the toilet leave a small 1/2 inch or less uncaulk area as an early point of notify me of a leak at the base.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great tip about leaving the gap, Yardmansurfer! Thanks for watching. :)

[@2GunzUp_]

Thank you! Straight to the point and excellent step by step instructions!! I enjoyed that and learned a great deal

[@annamariaalongi2136]

OK this was SO good. I have 2 toilets to install.

[@GSIP69]

just curious... how did it go?

[@ricardofernandez6819]

Excellent presentation!

[@fw1421]

I just replaced two toilets this week. On one the mounting flange was broken and required replacing. This was the easier one. The other one,the one that I expected to be simple turned out to be a real pain. The plumber that installed it had the flange 1/2 inch too high and it was held on by just the glue,no screws into the concrete. I had to take the new toilet back off and cut the flange off and put a low profile flange on,and properly drill and screw it secure. No more wax rings!

[@DJNADJIBBeatz]

Excellent video, detailed yet simple description. Thanks a lot!

[@DESKWERKSJB]

Outstanding!

[@mubarakkhan537]

Thanks for the video. Easy to follow.

[@mikepatel6323]

You are very good and right to the point.

[@MichaelAnthonyOfficial]

Great video. You’re a great teacher!

[@AmplifyDIY]

I appreciate that!

[@larrygregory1]

Excellent explanation!

[@bullmoosepiper7732]

As per usual, you have a wonderfully produced and easy-to-understand video that de-mystifies the process of whatever you're sharing. If I may, only one item of concern and its the gasket you used in lieu of the the wax ring. Those things can have all kinds of problems, similar to the wax rings with the built-in funnels. The problem is its flexibility, and I've seen this play out time & again on toilet installs. Each time you sit on the toilet, unless you are sitting down absolutely square on the toilet, you sit down at an angle and that pushes ever so slightly backwards on the toilet. Now at first, the closet bolts are tight and its not an issue. But over time with hundreds sit-downs, what ends up happening is the toilet pushes backwards on that gasket and the flange, because it is pliable, buckles inward and partially blocks the drain, and that starts causing backups. Basically all that flexing you showed in the video of the silicone gasket is the enemy. Even though wax rings are messy, they're still the gold standard and I only install basic wax rings on toilets. There's a reason why Kohler gives you a basic one. But, time will tell. Hope it works for you with no problems. Thanks for the time you spent in making this.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Excellent feedback, thank you very much! This is the first concerning thing I’ve heard about the flexible gaskets. Will keep my eye on it for sure. Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hey Bullmoose - since reading your comment I've gone down a google rabbit hole trying to find more information about the failure modes of waxless seals... and I can't find anything about them failing in the manner you describe. By all accounts they are pretty robust, and offer lots of advantages over the traditional wax ring - including that they can flex a bit with slight shifts in toilet positioning without losing the seal. I'm not questioning your comment, but I'd really love it if you could point me to where I can read more about a waxless seal flexing under a shifting toilet to the point that it causes a blockage. Thanks!

[@bullmoosepiper7732]

@@AmplifyDIY sorry for the delay in responding. Didn’t mean to send you down a rabbit hole. In terms of what kind of documentation can you find, you won’t find the plumbing forums blowing up with this problem, nor is Fluidmaster going to mention this in their literature because this is really a field issue, not a design flaw in their product. My comments above were based upon seeing numerous issues with the wax rings with the integrated funnels. What ends up getting people’s attention is that they start seeing a little water seeping out of the toilet at the floor, not full stoppages. Pull the toilet and sure enough, the wax ring has shifted and you see the funnel slightly deformed against the inside of the closet flange just enough to where when the toilet is flushed, the water is partially diverted from the center of the waste line and leaks onto the floor. (Another reason not to caulk). I want to be clear that you may have absolutely no problem with your seal for the life of the toilet. Entirely possible. I’m just saying I’ve seen this very common problem with a similar design on the integrated wax rings, and given that your gasket is silicone, it’s even less rigid than the plastic insert on the integrated wax ring. Search some KZbin plumbers and you won’t see many of them using anything other than the good old wax ring. Probably far more info than you cared to read today! Haha. Thanks again and keep up the great videos.

[@jacobburesh8522]

Just replaced my toilet following this guide and so far no leaks! thanks for the help!

[@mundlkalli4396]

SUPER , AWESOME DEMO............VISUAL and VERBAL. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont need to say more !!!!!! Thank you so much

[@karenh8723]

Great video and explanation thank you!!!

[@WHINNYWisdom]

First... Love the VGG cap Second... Thank you for the video tutorial, going to change out the toilet in a building we are renovating for our second storefront location.

[@user-qv3se7st4t]

Very informative 👍

[@emmachristo9435]

Thanks for the support info

[@sreeyedugondla4395]

Excellent communication and great detail.

[@frankmolina2076]

OMG, So thorough on this project. I will be watching this on my laptop as i do mine. Thank You.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@waterheaterservices]

As a certified master toilet technician [plumber] I suggest using a wet vac to get the water out of the old tank and bowl. Also, toss a bucket of water down the bowl after flushing to siphon more of the bowl water down the drain.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great tips, thanks!

[@MikeMadison-f8s]

Great video, excellent job of explaining the different steps. I will be changing out a toilet in the next few days and this video will help me.

[@AmplifyDIY]

I'm really glad you found it helpful. Good luck with your toilet!

[@mariahalbrook9120]

Agree. Best to seal. Thanks for the tutorial. You are a great teacher.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you!

[@SmallTNHomestead]

You really are a life saver. A great teacher and I appreciate your videos. Just subscribed!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Awesome, thank you!

[@nelsonnitunga6839]

thank you. learned something and cant wait to apply what I learned in the next few days

[@BrianHillegass]

Subscribed after watching this. I am the least handy person ever and I watched this and was able to do it. Even though it’s simple for some- this was a big deal for me to do. I’m proud and I owe you one 😊. Great breakdown and looking forward to more of your videos.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@chuckutz1969]

Great video thanks!

[@michaelgreanya7249]

Now that's a great video for replacing a toilet, Thanks so much

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ateshnarayan9769]

Very well explained. Your are number 1 generous man sharing your knowledge. Good on you.

[@jimneustadt2688]

Nice job. Great voice and instructions

[@lovendagardner2355]

❤I love how you teach God bless you

[@kennyguess6796]

Very well done sir!

[@CarlosFlores-rv4sy]

Thank you so much! I learn a lot today!.

[@dantenavarro2968]

Very informative. Thank you for the video !!!

[@GregZapp-uj6nu]

Excellent vid and instructions- Thank you

[@AmplifyDIY]

You are welcome!

[@jamesmcdevitt5306]

Nice job ! I will caulk on a slab but not on wood subfloor. Your presentation was clear and understandable with good tips .

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@Highwindffxiv]

Badass tutorial, thanks for being the dad I didn’t have.

[@kenbagwell8551]

Wow! What a through explanation. Thank you!

[@Jean3v4]

Thank you so much you've made a fan for life, the bloopers at the end were perfect

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@perrydadrass389]

Great video,very informative and easy to follow instructions. Thank you very much sir!,😊

[@paulnavara7127]

Great instructional video! Very thorough and covers most of the issues an installer would deal with.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks! 👍

[@bngu1567]

Well explained, much appreciated ❤

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gezahegnegebre4203]

You are extremely helpful

[@SarahMcneil-ww5qw]

Best tutorial I have ever watched. Great! Very informative.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you!

[@eflores2501]

excellent video, worth watching.

[@GracielaGonzalez-zf1ue]

Solid, thanks!

[@randyfreeland5559]

Thank you this was very helpful and a good reminder. I also agree 👍🏼to seal the toilet to the floor.

[@dibink1]

great video !

[@shehzadhaleem5765]

Thank you so very much. I was able to install it.

[@ThisIsHowIseeIt-imo]

Excellent video. Very thorough.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Much appreciated!

[@marylynch6288]

Thank you!

[@ceciliawells1099]

The way you explain everything, I believe I could exchange my toilet.....Not a lot of none sense talking ...Thanks for sharing 😊

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you Cecilia - you can do it!

[@rogerlittreal642]

Thanks for sharing.❤

[@djallin2727]

A true professional makes Tricky And messy jobs looks very easy... Great job sir! I wish you could have been mine K. through 9th Grade teacher, More specifically, my Shop Teacher!

[@amelonapisa6965]

thanks a lot very informative

[@kevinhunter6624]

Very informative, Thank You!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@MikeBranchBand]

Outstanding! Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

You're very welcome!